Robert Downey Jr opens up on his 'most dangerous' time in prison: 'There were only threats!'

If you have the willingness to do harm, it is unlikely that you will be targeted,' said Robert Downey Jr

UPDATED JUL 11, 2023

Robert Downey Jr discusses the harrowing period he spent behind bars in the late '90s (Alberto E Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Renowned actor Robert Downey Jr recently made a candid appearance on the 'Armchair Expert' podcast hosted by his friend Dax Shepard. During the interview, the 'Iron Man' star delved into a topic he rarely discusses, the harrowing period he spent behind bars in the late '90s.

Before achieving sobriety and experiencing a career resurgence with Marvel, the now 58-year-old actor faced well-documented struggles with substance abuse, which ultimately led to a three-year prison sentence. He served one year before being released due to prior collective time served, and his conviction was later pardoned in 2015.

Robert Downey Jr. arrives for UK film premiere "Captain America: Civil War" at Vue Westfield on April 26, 2016 in London, England (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

'Arguably the most dangerous place I have ever been'

On the latest podcast episode, fellow actor and pal Shepard asked the Oscar-nominated Downey about his time in prison, a subject the 'Sherlock Holmes' star does not usually address. However, it was clear from the start of the episode, that the two men are close and Downey felt comfortable being candid.

Actor Robert Downey, Jr. poses a for a police mug shot April 24, 2001 in Culver City, CA. The actor was arrested by officers of the Culver City Police Department for being under the influence of a controlled substance. (Photo by Culver City Police Department/Newsmakers)

Questioned by Shepard about how long it took for him to fully grasp that he was in prison, Downey said he would share the "flash cards" with Shepard and co-host Monica Padman of that time. "I'm in court. I am being over-sentenced by an angry judge," Downey recalled. "Two weeks later, I am in a place called Delano, which is a receiving area where they decide where you're going to go: arguably the most dangerous place I have ever been in my life because no one is designated if they're a level 1, 2, 3 or 4 criminal."

(FILE PHOTO) Actor Robert Downey, Jr. on his way to a prison bus after his hearing August 5, 1999 in Malibu, California. Downey was arrested again November 25, 2000 for drug possession in Palm Springs, CA three months after being released from prison and relaunching his career. He was released today on $15, 000 bail. — Actor Robert Downey, Jr. on his way to a prison bus after his hearing August 5, 1999 in Malibu, California. Downey was arrested again November 25, 2000 for drug possession in Palm Springs, CA three months after being released from prison and relaunching his career. He was released today on $15, 000 bail. (Photo by James Peterson/Online USA)

He claimed, "You could just feel the evil in the air. There was no opportunity there. There were only threats." Downey, noting "this will be the best soundbite," added that during that time, he left his cell to take a shower and was so out of sorts, he did not notice his underwear was on backward. "I remember eliciting some strong chuckles and jeers from my fellow inmates," the actor said before he addressed Shepard's initial question.

Recalling that walking onto the prison yard for the first time was like "being sent to a distant planet where there is no way home until the planets align. But, the short answer [to the question] is two weeks," revealed The Messenger. "For me, there are worse things that could have happened than being sent to an institution, by far. By day 15, I'm dialed in. If you have the willingness to do harm, it is unlikely that you will be targeted."