Anthony Michael Hall and Robert Downey Jr. first crossed paths as young actors in the 1980s, but their connection went far beyond sharing a movie set.
More than four decades after working together on Weird Science, Hall has opened up about the friendship that followed them through Saturday Night Live, career highs, difficult years, and even projects they hoped to make together.
Anthony Michael Hall Says He and Robert Downey Jr. Have A ‘Long History’
Hall recently joined Boy Meets World alum Danielle Fishel on iHeartRadio’s Teen Beat podcast and looked back at his long career. The conversation eventually turned to Downey, whom Hall first met while working on the 1985 John Hughes comedy Weird Science. Hall was 17 at the time, while Downey was 20.
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Their friendship continued long after filming ended. Asked how they had managed to stay close through roughly 40 years in Hollywood, Hall explained that both actors had supported each other through different stages of their lives and careers. “We just have a long, a long history together,” Hall recalled on the podcast.
That history quickly extended to Saturday Night Live. Both actors joined the sketch show in 1985, and Hall revealed that he actually helped Downey get the opportunity. “We did some Weekend Update stuff with Downey and me in that era. I got Downey his audition, and he auditioned for Lorne [Michaels] and got the job,” he recalled.
Hall Remembers Their Hilarious Saturday Night Live Days
Hall still remembers some of the comedy they created together, especially a Hall & Oates sketch that required Downey to use a rather unusual trick to make their height difference part of the joke.
“We did Hall & Oates that year. It was really funny because Downey came out as John Oates, but because he’s a shorter guy, they had him on his knees, and they built these cowboy boots around his knees so he could look like he was up to my waist, and we both had like the ‘80s wigs, and I was doing Daryl Hall,” he added with a laugh.
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Their creative partnership did not end after SNL. Hall said he and Downey wrote a script shortly after their time on the show. Years later, they also tried to develop another project together, although it never reached the screen. “So unfortunately that didn’t work out,” Hall, who is even godfather to one of Downey’s sons, said.
Still, the unfinished projects never affected their friendship. Hall’s role as godfather to one of Downey’s sons also shows that their relationship became more personal than just staying in touch. Downey’s career and personal life went through a difficult period in the late 1990s as he struggled with drug addiction.
Hall, however, continued to stand by his longtime friend. Downey eventually rebuilt both his life and career before reaching another level of Hollywood success. It’s particularly through his years as Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hall now looks back on that journey with pride and also credits Downey’s wife for playing an important part in his return. “But he’s always been a good friend, and I’m really proud of his success, you know,” the actor ended.
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