Robert as his African-American "Thunder" character Sgt. Osirus Credit: Paramount Pictures

Hey, actor Robert Downey Jr. is a hero! Yes, he's Ironman but he's also the hero of his own life story. Several years ago, the talented, popular actor was on the far downside due to trouble with drugs. Now, Robert is on a roll enjoying a second chance at fame in flicks! He's appearing as an Oscar-winning method actor who dyes his skin darker to play an African-American soldier in the Ben Stiller-directed action comedy Tropic Thunder. The character might risk crossing over into being un-P.C. but Downey pulls it off. The guy is just funny!

For our Beverly Hills interview, we were entertained to see Robert coming into the room sporting a great tan and a cool goatee (he'll be playing Sherlock Holmes next). His fanboy side was on display in his blue "Hollywood" tee topped by a nice black suit coat and jeans. Topping it all off was a black 1950's style fedora with an orange and taupe band around it. Got all that? It's quite a picture! We're not through yet. The actor was carrying a black plastic, industrial-looking lunchbox thingie. We have since learned that it was chocked full of vitamins/herbal medicine and, uh, his cigs! Quite the contradiction but then, the guy has given up a lot of his former vices! Of course, every reporter he spoke to got a different take in answer to "what's in the box?"......