Pubdate: Sun, 26 Nov 2000
Source: MSNBC.com (US Web)
Copyright: 2000 MSNBC.com
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ROBERT DOWNEY JR. IS ARRESTED AGAIN

Actor Robert Downey Jr. had recently relaunched his career with a 
recurring role on the TV series "Ally McBeal."

Actor faces new drug charges almost 3 months after release from prison

ASSOCIATED PRESS

PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Nov. 26 -  Robert Downey Jr. was arrested for 
drug possession nearly three months after being released from prison 
and relaunching his career, police said Sunday. An anonymous caller 
led investigators to a resort hotel room Saturday night where they 
found the actor alone with cocaine and methamphetamine, Palm Springs 
police officer Ralph Landry said.

"HE WAS CONSCIOUS and conversed with the officers," Landry said. "He 
was very cooperative."

Downey, 35, was arrested for drug possession, being under the 
influence of a controlled substance and committing a felony while 
free on bail, he said.

He was released Sunday on $15,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in 
court within 30 days, Landry said.

Telephone messages left by The Associated Press at his agent's 
offices were not immediately returned Sunday.

The actor told a judge last year that his drug addiction was "like 
I've got a shotgun in my mouth, with my finger on the trigger, and I 
like the taste of the gun metal."

His legal troubles began in 1996 when he was stopped for speeding and 
authorities found cocaine, heroin and a pistol in his vehicle.

A month later he was found passed out in a neighbor's home and three 
days later, he was arrested for leaving a recovery center.

In August 1999, Downey was sentenced to three years in prison for 
violating his probation by missing scheduled drug tests. He was 
released a year later on $5,000 bail.

The son of film director Robert Downey, he earned an Oscar nomination 
for his work in the title role in "Chaplin," the 1992 screen 
biography of the famed comedian. Other film credits include "Less 
Than Zero," "Natural Born Killers" and "Wonder Boys." He also has a 
recurring role on the Fox television series "Ally McBeal."

Downey planned in January to star in a Los Angeles stage run of 
Shakespeare's "Hamlet" to be directed by Mel Gibson.
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