Tony Stark aka Iron Man is by far one of the most popular MCU superheroes. Not only did he manage to kick-start the entire universe, but he also saved the Earth and universe time and time again. To top it all off, Tony bravely sacrificed his life to defeat Thanos and his armies.
Combine all of his heroic deeds with his intelligence, charm, and Robert Downey Jr.'s performance... and the result makes Tony Stark a truly unique character. From a billionaire playboy to a hero, Stark has had many amazing scenes that prove he's a real badass and no-one is like him.
The Confession Scene
Everybody no doubt remembers this. In the first Iron Man's finale all the way back in 2008, Tony Stark decides to throw caution into the wind at the press conference. Instead of claiming Iron Man is his bodyguard, Stark risks it and says four truly iconic words: "I am Iron Man." That kickstarts a frenzy and basically the whole of the MCU. What makes this scene even amazing that the line was Robert Downey Jr.'s idea.
Using The Gauntlet
When Tony took the Infinity Gauntlet from Thanos and used it against the Mad Titan and his army, he knew he wouldn't survive. Yet he did it anyway to ensure everyone else's survival. It was one of Tony's bravest moments in the series, and it proved once and for all that he was a true heart at heart. What's more, Tony used his iconic line in the scene, once again reminding the whole world that he was Iron Man.
The First Trip Into Space
Avengers: Endgame (2019) wasn't the first time Tony risked his life for others. He did the same thing in Avengers (2012) when he flew the nuke into space to save millions of people. Tony had no way of knowing whether he would make it or not but he risked it anyway... and the risk paid off as he saved the day and even got to eat some shawarma afterward.
Fighting Captain America And Bucky
Even though both Tony and Steve could have handled the situation in a much better way, Tony still gets bonus points for standing his ground. Facing two super-powered people, even in his armor, is no task for the faint-hearted, but Tony does it anyway, determined to stop them.
And even though he fails in the end and the duo defeats him, he still put his everything into the fight, and that counts for something.
Reuniting With Captain America
Despite everything they've been through, all the bad things that transpired between them, Tony proved that he could get over the past grudges when he returned the shield to Steve. It was a sign of trust from him, and a gesture many people wouldn't be able to do. In returning the shield, Tony forgave Steve, and from there on, they were once again able to work together as a team - and as friends.
Hugging Spider-Man
The first time Peter went for a hug (when Tony rode him home from the airport battle in Germany), Tony rejected the hug and said: "That's not a hug, I'm just grabbing the door for you." (Which was another piece of improv from Robert Downey Jr.). However, as their relationship evolved, so did Tony's stance toward Peter, and when he managed to reverse the snap and bring the man back to life, once they reunited, Tony was the one who initiated the hug. By hugging Peter, he once again proved how much he cared about the young superhero.
And Inventing Time Travel To Save Him
The fact is that Tony didn't need to bother to reverse the snap. Pepper had survived, they stayed together, had a daughter, were happy. But Peter was the main reason why Tony gave it a shot anyway - and in doing so, he managed to achieve something nobody else was capable of.
Tony actually invented a functional way of time travel, which then allowed the team to save everyone who perished during the snap - and possibly even more since it also brought down Thanos.
Proving He Didn't Need His Suit
Iron Man 3 (2013) might not be the best MCU movie but it still has a lot to offer. Most importantly, it shows that Tony doesn't need his suit to be a hero. His brilliant mind is still his greatest asset, so when he takes on his enemies without a suit in this film, he manages to pull it off. Plus, he's able to repair his suit without almost any means when he's stranded and alone.
Escaping From Captivity
Another memorable moment of Tony's life that speaks volumes about his resilience is his escape from Afghanistan and the cave where they held him prisoner. Tony built his first Iron Man armor basically from scraps. It's true that he had a big help in his fellow prisoner Yinsen and he wouldn't be able to make it without Yinsen's final sacrifice but that doesn't erase his accomplishment.
Fighting Against Thanos
Thanos is a tough opponent for anyone who faces him, let alone someone who has no powers. Despite that, Tony found the courage to fight the Mad Titan. And even though he lost and could have died, he would at least go out like a hero. But it seemed Thanos had a strange sort of respect for Tony, and he kept the word he gave to Doctor Strange which meant he spared Tony's life.