Robert John Elias Jr. took the surname of his stepfather, James Downey when enlisting in the army (at age 15). Downey Sr. was an actor and filmmaker best known for Putney Swope and Greaser’s Palace, and roles in Boogie Nights, Magnolia and To Live and Die in L.A.
| Movie | Chafed Elbows | 1966 |
| Movie | Up the Academy | 1980 |
| Movie | Sweet Smell of Sex | 1965 |
| Movie | Too Much Sun | 1990 |
| Movie | Hugo Pool | 1997 |
| Movie | Rented Lips | 1988 |
| Movie | Balls Bluff | 1961 |
| Movie | No More Excuses | 1968 |
| Movie | Greaser's Palace | 1972 |
| Movie | Two Tons of Turquoise to Taos Tonight | 1975 |
| Episode |
The Twilight Zone (1985) Teacher's Aide |
1985 |
| Movie | Sticks and Bones | 1973 |
| Movie | Putney Swope | 1969 |
| Episode |
The Twilight Zone (1985) Tooth and Consequences |
1986 |
| Movie | Pound | 1970 |
| Episode |
The Twilight Zone (1985) Children's Zoo |
1985 |
| Movie | Babo 73 | 1964 |
| Movie | Rittenhouse Square | 2005 |
| Movie | Chafed Elbows | 1966 |
| Movie | The Gong Show Movie | 1980 |
| Movie | Too Much Sun | 1990 |
| Movie | Hugo Pool | 1997 |
| Movie | Balls Bluff | 1961 |
| Movie | Greaser's Palace | 1972 |
| Movie | No More Excuses | 1968 |
| Movie | Two Tons of Turquoise to Taos Tonight | 1975 |
| Movie | Two Tons of Turquoise to Taos Tonight | 1975 |
| Movie | Sticks and Bones | 1973 |
| Movie | Putney Swope | 1969 |
| Movie | Pound | 1970 |
| Movie | Babo 73 | 1964 |
| Movie | Chafed Elbows | 1966 |
| Movie | Balls Bluff | 1961 |
| Movie | Putney Swope | 1969 |
| Movie | Babo 73 | 1964 |
| Movie | Sweet Smell of Sex | 1965 |
| Movie | Balls Bluff | 1961 |
| Movie | Rittenhouse Square | 2005 |
| Episode |
Matlock The Annihilator |
1987 |
| Episode |
The Twilight Zone (1985) Wordplay |
1985 |
| Episode |
The Dick Cavett Show Robert Downey Sr., Garson Kanin, Gwen Verdon, Jimi Hendrix |
1969 |
