Have you ever heard of Susan Downey? She’s not just Robert Downey Jr.’s wife — she’s a powerful woman who helped turn his life around. She’s also a talented movie producer who works behind the scenes on some of the biggest Hollywood films.
In this article, we’ll explore everything about Susan Downey. You’ll learn about her childhood, her work, her love story with Robert, and how they became one of Hollywood’s strongest couples. Let’s get to know this amazing woman step by step.
Susan Nicole Downey Profile Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Susan Nicole Downey |
| Birth Name | Susan Nicole Levin |
| Date of Birth | November 6, 1973 |
| Age (2026) | 52 years old |
| Place of Birth | Schaumburg, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Education | USC School of Cinematic Arts |
| Profession | Film Producer, Businesswoman |
| Famous For | Producing Sherlock Holmes, The Judge |
| Husband | Robert Downey Jr. (m. 2005–present) |
| Children | Exton Elias Downey, Avri Roel Downey |
| Production Company | Team Downey (Co-Founder) |
| Net Worth (2026) | Estimated $20 million+ |
Early Life and Background
Susan Downey was born on November 6, 1973. Her full birth name is Susan Nicole Levin. She grew up in Schaumburg, Illinois, a quiet suburb near Chicago.
As a child, Susan Downey loved movies and stories. She wasn’t interested in being famous or in front of the camera. Instead, she wanted to be the one making the movies. She was smart, focused, and curious — all great signs of someone who would one day lead major film projects.
Education and Big Dreams
Susan Downey studied hard in school and later went to the University of Southern California (USC) — one of the top film schools in the world. There, she learned everything about movie production, writing, and storytelling.
While many people dream of working in Hollywood, Susan made it real. From the start, she knew what she wanted — not to act, but to create great films from behind the scenes. That dream pushed her to climb high in the movie world.
Her First Jobs in the Movie World
After college, Susan Downey started working at a company called Silver Pictures. This company was known for producing big movies. Susan quickly became known as someone who was organized, creative, and great with people.
She worked on many exciting projects like RocknRolla (2008), The Book of Eli (2010), and Sherlock Holmes (2009). Even early in her career, she had a strong eye for good stories and talent.
How Susan Met Robert Downey Jr.
In 2003, while working on a movie called Gothika, Susan Downey met Robert Downey Jr. He was one of the stars of the film, and she was the producer. At first, Susan didn’t want to date him. She thought it would be unprofessional — and she also thought he was a bit “interesting but weird.”
Why weird? Because at their first lunch meeting, Robert brought his own oatmeal and herbs, and even started doing yoga moves. Susan wasn’t sure what to think. But over time, they started talking more and getting close.
Their Love Story and Wedding
Even though they were different, Susan Downey and Robert fell in love quickly. By November 2003, Robert proposed to her on her birthday. He gave her a ring just before midnight and asked in a sweet way, “Would you maybe want to be my wife one day?”
Susan said yes — but she wanted a long engagement. Two years later, they got married on August 27, 2005, in Long Island, New York. It was a beautiful day, with guests like Sting, Billy Joel, and Keanu Reeves.
Before the wedding, Robert was so nervous that he did kung fu and swam with his son, Indio, just to relax!
Becoming Parents Together
Years later, Susan Downey and Robert became parents. Their first child, a son named Exton Elias Downey, was born on February 7, 2012. Their second child, a daughter named Avri Roel Downey, was born on November 4, 2014.
Both Susan and Robert love being parents. They always try to keep their family life strong, even with busy movie schedules. Robert once joked that their daughter Avri had “overwritten his junk DNA” with all of Susan’s good traits.
They often share funny and sweet stories about their children — and they try to spend as much time together as possible.
Starting Team Downey
In 2010, Susan Downey and Robert launched their own movie company — Team Downey. The idea came from a simple reason: they didn’t want to spend so much time apart. Working together meant they could stay close and be creative at the same time.
They thought about names like “RoSuDo,” but it sounded too strange. So they went with something simple and strong — Team Downey.
Susan Downey calls it a “mom-and-pop” company. That means it’s small in style — very hands-on — but still makes big, amazing projects. Their goal was to tell stories they loved and build something meaningful together.
After starting Team Downey, Susan and Robert worked on many big films and shows together. One of their biggest hits was Sherlock Holmes in 2009. Susan helped Robert get the role, and it became a huge success. They later made a sequel too.
In 2014, they released The Judge. Robert played a lawyer, and the story showed a deep family bond. It was a special movie for both of them.
Later, they made Dolittle in 2020. This one was different because it was made for kids. Robert played a man who could talk to animals. Susan said it felt great to work on something their children could enjoy too.
Their Netflix show Sweet Tooth also became popular. It’s about a world where kids are half-human and half-animal. Susan Downey and Robert both said they loved watching it with their own children on the couch.
What Makes Their Marriage Work
Many couples find it hard to work and live together. But Susan and Robert have found a way to make it work. One reason is that they understand each other very well.
Susan Downey once shared that Robert is not a morning person. So she makes sure he has coffee before she talks about anything serious. Little things like this help keep peace at home and at work.
Robert often says he would not be where he is today without Susan. He even joked during an award speech that he’d be “bussing tables” if it weren’t for her.
They also make time for fun. Robert once said, “We don’t like going too long without a big, hard project together — a movie, a kid, or even moving into a new house!” That shows their bond is not just strong — it’s playful too.
Susan’s Own Success in Hollywood
Even though she works quietly behind the scenes, Susan Downey is one of the most respected women in Hollywood. People trust her to lead big movie projects. She’s smart, calm, and focused.
She doesn’t try to be in the spotlight, but her work speaks for itself. Directors and actors enjoy working with her because she brings order and heart to every set.
Susan Downey says she loves producing because it lets her build stories from the ground up. And when she works with Robert, they both feel more connected — both in their marriage and their creative world.
Sweet Moments That Fans Love
Over the years, Susan Downey and Robert have shared many special moments in public. At the 2024 SAG Awards, Robert gave Susan a funny but loving shoutout. He said she’s been acting like a “sane and rational person married to an actor” for over 20 years.
At the 2024 Oscars, after winning Best Supporting Actor, Robert told reporters that the best part of the night wasn’t the trophy. It was a quiet moment during a break when he and Susan gently touched heads. He called it their “dinosaur love move.”
Susan has also spoken kindly about Robert. In 2024, she told Esquire that while many people think she helped “fix” him, she believes he changed her life too. She said they both helped each other grow in different ways.
Final Thoughts
Susan Downey is not just the woman behind Robert Downey Jr. — she is a strong, kind, and brilliant woman in her own right. She has helped produce big films, raise a family, and build a life filled with love and purpose.
Her story teaches us that you don’t need to be loud to be powerful. You can lead with calm, care, and consistency. And when you find someone who believes in you — like she and Robert believe in each other — amazing things can happen.
From Gothika to Sherlock Holmes, from love to family, and from small talks to big dreams — Susan Downey has truly changed Robert Downey Jr.’s life… and built something beautiful along the way
(FAQs)
What is Susan Downey’s full name?
Her full name is Susan Nicole Downey, and she was born Susan Nicole Levin.
When was Susan Downey born?
Susan Downey was born on November 6, 1973, in Schaumburg, Illinois, USA.
How did Susan Downey meet Robert Downey Jr.?
Susan met Robert while working as a producer on the movie Gothika in 2003. Robert was one of the stars of the film.
When did Susan and Robert Downey Jr. get married?
They got married on August 27, 2005, after dating for two years.
How many kids do Susan Downey and Robert Downey Jr. have?
They have two children together — a son named Exton Elias and a daughter named Avri Roel.
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