Robert Downey Jr Saved This Mid Show From Cancelation 25 Years Ago Only to Get Fired

In the 90's, Hollywood was a very different place. Social media did not exist, and television was still the be-all and end-all of entertainment. This was the era when one of the most interesting stories of redemption played out before our eyes.

Robert Downey Jr. was then a talented actor with a reputation that preceded him, but for all for the wrong reasons, unfortunately.

His struggles crossed with struggles of a TV show, Ally McBeal, which was starting to lose its ratings and needed a new plot to continue its run. And to understand the full impact of this story, we need to step back and look at where both the show and the actor were at this moment.

How Robert Downey Jr.'s and Ally McBeal Saved Each Other

Before joining the cast, Downey Jr.'s life had hit rock bottom. The actor had spent three years in prison. His battle with addiction had become public knowledge, and Hollywood had largely turned its back on him.

Meanwhile, Ally McBeal was struggling to maintain its viewership. The show that captured audiences with its unique blend of legal drama and romantic comedy, needed something (or someone, if you know what I mean) to reignite public interest.

When creator David E. Kelley cast Downey Jr. as Larry Paul, Ally McBeal's love interest, it seemed like the perfect solution for both parties. The show needed a boost, and Downey Jr. needed a chance at redemption. It was truly a match made in heaven.

And consequently, the impact was immediate and extraordinary! Downey Jr.'s portrayal of Larry Paul was exceptional. His chemistry with Calista Flockhart's Ally McBeal captured our hearts, and suddenly, the show was back in the spotlight for all the right reasons.

His performance earned him both an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe win.

Still, Robert Downey Jr. Got Fired From Ally McBeal

Yes, you heard us right.

Behind the scenes, things weren't as perfect as they appeared on a screen. Despite the success and acclaim, Downey Jr. was still struggling with his personal demons. He was arrested again for drug possession. The producers continued to work with him, but when he was found wandering barefoot in Culver City in April 2001, with cocaine in his system, it became the final straw.

Downey Jr. was fired from Ally McBeal, lost his role in America's Sweethearts, and found himself once again on Hollywood's blacklist.

A Phoenix Rising from the Ashes

Well, from the outside looking in, the story seemed to be the sad end of a promising comeback, if not for the intervention of Mel Gibson, one of the few friends who supported him through this dark period.

Today, Robert Downey is one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, beloved by millions of fans, and it's hard to believe how close we came to losing such a remarkable talent. And I’m glad we didn’t.

If you are intrigued to watch Robert Downey Jr. in Ally McBeal, you can do so on Hulu.