Anthony Michael Hall and Robert Downey Jr.: A Friendship That Goes Back 40 Years

Anthony Michael Hall and Robert Downey Jr. have been friends for more than four decades, long before Downey became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Hall recently opened up about their long friendship during an Aug. 19 episode of Danielle Fishel’s Teen Beat podcast. He recalled visiting Downey during one of the actor’s difficult periods, when Downey was dealing with legal trouble related to his drug use.

“I’ve been there for him,” Hall said. “Years ago, when he was in trouble with the law, he spent a little time in the clink — so to speak — I went to visit him. We just have a long history together.”

The friendship began when both actors were young. In 1985, Hall helped Downey get an audition for Saturday Night Live. Downey was cast on the show that same year, joining Hall as one of its youngest performers.

The two also appeared together in the 1985 comedy Weird Science, further strengthening their connection.

Hall said their creative partnership continued after their time on SNL. He revealed that he wrote a script with Downey and Downey’s father, filmmaker Robert Downey Sr., after their stint on the show.

The pair later worked on another project that Hall said was unexpectedly similar to the hit HBO series Succession. Despite their efforts, the project was never made.

Still, Hall said he remains proud of everything Downey has accomplished.

“He’s had just a great career,” Hall said. “He’s a great guy. Despite all the great success he’s had, he’s very real, very down-to-earth. He’s cool.”

Downey has been open about his past struggles with addiction and legal problems. His drug-related arrests in the late 1990s and early 2000s led to court-ordered rehabilitation. He has remained sober since 2003.

Their friendship was also featured in Peacock’s SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, released in 2025. In the documentary series, Downey remembered how Hall encouraged him to audition for SNL.

“Michael Hall said to me, ‘I’m gonna go do SNL. I’m gonna get you an audition and I bet you’re gonna get yourself on the show too,’” Downey recalled.

Hall joked that he is still waiting for Downey to return the favor.

“Come on Iron Man, you got it in ya,” he said.

Downey’s one season on SNL also gave him an early lesson in the entertainment business. Looking back, he said the experience taught him a lot about himself.

“I learned so much in that year about what I wasn’t,” Downey said. “But there’s not a more exciting 90 minutes you could have, whether you are any good or not.”

Their careers eventually took very different paths. Hall became known for films such as The Breakfast Club and Weird Science, while Downey went on to become one of the world’s most recognizable actors through his role as Iron Man and later earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Oppenheimer.

For Hall, however, Downey’s success is only one part of a much longer story. Their friendship began when they were teenagers and has survived decades of changing careers, personal struggles and Hollywood success.