Robert Downey Jr. has portrayed countless characters in his prolific acting career with surprisingly different personalities that can be easily sorted into their corresponding MBTI® personality type.
He's arguably best known for his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the extraverted, sarcastic, and brilliantly smart Tony Stark. But he's also portrayed the more introverted Sherlock Holmes and the real-life silent movie star Charlie Chaplin, amongst a slew of other characters that are just as unique in their personalities, all brought to life on the screen by this talented and diverse actor.
Tony Stark: ENTP
Tony Stark, Iron Man, is most likely the ENTP (Extraverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Prospecting) personality type, as both ENTPs and Tony are outspoken extroverts who enjoy and are usually successful in solving challenging problems.
Both tend to dislike routine work and never want to do the same thing in the same way. Tony is innovative and fantastic at coming up with conceptual solutions, thinking strategically, and turning the solution into a reality, which is a common ENTP trait.
Sherlock Holmes: INTP
Sherlock Holmes is an INTP (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving), as he's more introverted and seeks to find the most logical solution in every situation.
They both tend to be skeptical, critical, and always analytical, and Sherlock has the gift of being able to focus deeply to solve a problem. Both Sherlock and the INTP are more interested in ideas and intangible abstract concepts than in social interaction with other people and would rather be on their own or with one or two people, like Holmes finding Watson.
Harry Lockhart: INTJ
Robert Downey Jr. starred alongside Val Kilmer in the comedic thriller Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, which followed his character as he impersonated a private detective to get close to an old crush he grew up with.
Harry is quick on his feet and has a great, original mind, just like the INTJ (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging) personality type. Harry is able to manipulate everyone into thinking he's a real private detective and ends up being the only one to see and solve a greater conspiracy looming in the case and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Paul Avery: ESFP
Jake Gyllenhaal stars in Zodiac as a newspaper cartoonist who works at the paper where the Zodiac killer begins sending cryptic messages about past murders he's committed and future killings he's planning.
Robert Downey Jr. portrays Paul Avery, an outgoing and sarcastically vain journalist who also works at the paper. Paul Avery, like the ESFP (Extraverted, Observant, Feeling, Prospecting) personality type, loves to be around people and tries his best to make work fun, while quickly adapting to the paper's new environment.
Kirk Lazarus: INFJ
Robert Downey Jr. portrays the ridiculous actor Kirk Lazarus, who is a method actor that goes all-in when he portrays a character on screen, including controversially using blackface for his role. Like the INFJ (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging), Kirk plans out his approach and vision with his role and gets upset when things don't work out his way.
Kirk is a character who wants to find more meaning and connection in life and he has a breakdown as he loses himself in the role, which is also a similar trait to the INFJ personality, as they want to understand people and life in a more meaningful way.
Nathan Gardner: ESTJ
Anton Yelchin starred in Charlie Bartlett as the new kid in school, Charlie, who constantly faced off against Robert Downey Jr.'s Principal Gardner. Gardner is a logical principal who quickly implements measures to try to make the students behave, making him similar to the ESTJ (Extraverted, Observant, Thinking, Judging) personality type.
He punishes them by putting cameras in their student lounge when they rebel against his authority and he tries his best to protect his daughter. Both Gardner and the ESTJ personality forcefully implement plans and will defend their plans when people don't follow their rules.
Charlie Chaplin: ISFJ
Robert Downey Jr. portrayed the iconic real-life silent movie star Charlie Chaplin as a quiet and friendly character who created personal relationships with everyone he met.
The ISFJ (Introverted, Observant, Feeling, Judging) personality type is usually a loyal person who is great at creating close relationships because they take the time to listen to others and take care to remember everything they say and Chaplin is the same way.
Peter Wright: ESTP
Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. starred in the rom-com Only You, which delved into the idea of fate and destiny, as Faith (Tomei) was obsessed with her own romantic destiny and thinks that someone named Damon Bradley will be the love of her life.
The ESTP (Extraverted, Observant, Thinking, Prospecting) personality typically finds solutions in a pragmatic but energetic and spontaneous way. Peter Wright makes a split-second decision to lie to Faith and tell her his name is Damon Bradley so she'll see him as a potential love interest.
Steve Lopez: ESFJ
Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. starred in The Soloist as a homeless violinist and a newspaper columnist, respectfully. Steve Lopez (Downey) is looking for a new human interest story to write when he finds Nathaniel (Foxx) and tries to help him become a successful musician.
At first, Steve is warmhearted and cooperative, which makes him like the ESFJ (Extraverted, Observant, Feeling, Judging) personality, as he tries to work with Nathaniel and help him navigate the world. Steve is a loyal character, and even though he missteps in the middle of the movie, caring more about his article versus what Nathaniel wants, he proves that he truly does care and appreciate Nathaniel.
Alex Finch: ENFJ
Robert Downey Jr. starred as Alex Finch in Chances Are, a unique rom-com that sees a character called Louie die and become accidentally reincarnated with his memories still intact. Finch starts having memories that aren't his own when he runs into Louie's family and friends.
Although Alex doesn't understand what's going on, he reacts similarly to the ENFJ (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging) personality type, as he's warm and empathetic to the family. He wants to help everyone reach their full potential and he's loyal to Louie's family and inspires them, which are also similar traits to the ENFJ personality.