Interrogation: Downey, not out

Your substance abuse problems have been well documented. What's the worst thing you've ever done while under the influence?

Robert Downey Jr: There are too many to name. Let's leave it at that.

What's the funniest rumour you've heard about yourself?

RDJ: Probably that I was gearing up to become a fireman. Until I was 35, I thought a fireman's pole was the greatest thing you could have. But I never put one in any of my houses because I was vetoed every time.

You've been to jail and in rehab. Do you feel you're finally sober now?

RDJ: It's going to be a long time before I can ever say I'm well on the road to recovery.

Did you lose a lot of friends through addiction?

RDJ: No, my true friends were always there for me. The others weren't real friends now, were they?

What was the first thing you wanted to do when you got out of rehab?

RDJ: Work on my relationship with my 10-year-old son, Indio (from his previous marriage to Deborah Falconer). I'm fixing his PlayStation right now. It's hard to repair a relationship, but I'm giving it all I have.

Do you ever see yourself getting married again?

RDJ: Never say never - about anything. I've learned that.

Your history with drugs and alcohol means you've had problems getting insured by some studios. How do you prove you're sober on set?

RDJ: The truth is in the piddle. I'll piss at the drop of a hat. I think I have been lucky though - my frequent appearances on Court TV have brought me to another level...

Has the party scene changed in Hollywood since you started out?

RDJ: I started acting as a kid and my childhood was a nightmare. All kinds of partying were en vogue. But it's not like that any more, it's a lot more straight-laced. Nobody's interested in people who are not willing to show up and be healthy.

How do you chill out?

RDJ: By getting involved in my music. I've composed music for 21 years, I've got all kinds of stuff. I've even written a musical. I enjoy it and believe I have an ability to do it. It's important to me. I've got a couple of albums' worth of stuff and it's good quality. I was hanging out with Sting and Trudie Styler recently, talking about it.

Do you work out?

RDJ: I take a mild interest in martial arts. But I had no idea the academy I joined has a complete system that permeates every aspect of your life. It's like being in the Navy, but it's exactly what I need, something really comprehensive and specific to do with a bunch of people who are not interested in my personality or my charm. They're only interested in you having your equipment ready and being on the mat.

Do you think Hollywood will ever allow you to let go of the bad- boy reputation?

RDJ: I don't know. I've always been a fella who puts most of his eggs in one basket, then takes a dump in the basket. But an inspirational speaker once told me, the bigger the setback, the bigger the comeback. Any time you can complete one thing and move into the next thing, the board is washed clean. You can suck or do well, but you can't rest on your laurels.

Why do you think your fans have stuck by you?

RDJ: Because I'm one hell of a guy! No, seriously, I have no idea. I don't deserve it at all. I've recently been diagnosed - finally, after all these years I know what my true condition is... I'm a miserable son of a bitch.

What made you sign up for The Singing Detective?

RDJ: Mel Gibson, who's playing my psychiatrist in the movie, basically said it would be a lot of fun. I love and trust him, he's been a great friend.

Are you quite choosy about the roles you do?

RDJ: I've become a picky little bitch. But I could see that The Singing Detective would be something I could enjoy that wouldn't drain me.

Do you feel it was cathartic?

RDJ: Yes. The message to my public is, take a good dump. You'll feel better. Do it every day - three times a day if possible.

Er, right. What was it like working with Katie Holmes again?

RDJ: She was something else when we did Wonder Boys together. On The Singing Detective, she'd take every opportunity to lighten things up for me. She would clown about a little bit, make fun of me and mimic my character. I don't know if anyone else thought it was funny, but we did.

Has she changed much?

RDJ: News break: Katie Holmes is officially not a new actress any more. She's developed some mastery that blows my mind. For the director, it was like this, 'OK, that was good, Katie, let's do it one more time.' And she would, and then he'd say, 'Now let's spend the rest of the day dealing with the maggot-child Robert, spinning his wheels until we run out of light.'

Did you draw on personal experience for the role?

RDJ: Sure, although I've never had a nurse who looked like Katie... Of course I did - anybody can draw on his or her own experience to work with a role like this. This is about real, everyday miracles when you allow them to occur. And luckily we have enough film noir, make-out scenes and premature ejaculations to warrant it being visited by an audience. There has been some talk about your unpredictability on the set... RDJ: The spontaneity you see on the screen is due to sleep deprivation and the only thing I took on set was, 'Let's try that again, you're fabulous.'

Can you relate to your character in The Singing Detective?

RDJ: Yes, because he's someone who feels his life doesn't have purpose. He suffers so badly from the skin disease psoriasis that he's hospitalised. Psoriasis is like alcoholism, and anything else that is ugly and grotesque.

What do you think is the weirdest thing about Hollywood?

RDJ: The fact people think it's reality and don't get away to see there is life away from Tinseltown. This Christmas I intend to hang out in Hawaii with my pal Woody Harrelson. We'll go to his place, pick fruit and run around the grass in sarongs. I want to get in touch with what it's like to have no shoes on my feet. I want to get away with friends who enjoy simple pleasures.

The Singing Detective is in cinemas from 14 November

ROBERT'S REALITY CHECK

He's not high as a kite these days but are his feet on the ground?

Do you always wear your sunglasses inside?

No, but I am today.

Do you do your own housework?

Are you kidding? I'm lucky if I can find the house.

Do you register under fake names in hotels?

Sure. Why not?

How much is a loaf of bread?

One of those fancy ones with pecans and raisins is $5. (About pounds 3)

How do you make a Swiss roll?

I haven't the faintest idea. (Push him down a hill, of course)

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