Sarah Jessica Parker; Robert Downey Jr.Photo:Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Max; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Max; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Sarah Jessica Parkeris recalling a time when she was a huge support to exRobert Downey Jr.
In a profile forThe New Yorkerpublished Monday, theAnd Just Like That …actress opened up about dating Downey in the 1980s to early ’90s, while he was struggling with addiction.
“People around him would be dismissive of me, but I had given him stability and tried to create a steady heartbeat that allowed him to show up on time,” said Parker, 58. “That made me angry and embarrassed me.”
In a statement via his rep, Downey, 58, toldThe New Yorkerthat he has “great respect” for Parker, whom he dated for seven years, from 1984 to 1991.
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Downey, who has been sober for over two decades, has spoken openly aboutstruggling with addictionover the years, including inSr., his recent documentaryabout his father.
He has also spoken about Parker’s many attempts to help him throughout their years together.
“I liked to drink, and I had a drug problem, and that didn’t jibe with Sarah Jessica, because it is the furthest thing from what she is,” theIron Manactor toldPARADEin 2008.
“She provided me a home and understanding," Downey added. “She tried to help me. She was so miffed when I didn’t get my act together.”
The actor went on to marrySusan Downeyin 2005. The couple share two children — sonExton, 11, and daughterAvri, 8 — while Downey is also dad to son Indio Downey, 29, with ex-wifeDeborah Falconer.
Robert Downey Jr.Emma McIntyre/Getty
Emma McIntyre/Getty
Back in 2018, Parker opened up in a cover interview for PEOPLE about a valuablelesson she learned from Downeyduring their time together.
“I learned how to take care of myself,” she said. “There was a huge amount of time spent making sure he was okay. At a certain point, I had the courage to say, ‘I’m going to walk away and I’m just going to pray that you don’t die.’ ”
Parker — who since marriedMatthew Broderickand sharesthree children with him— also admitted that she “didn’t know” about Downey’s addiction “for a long time.”
“I was like, ‘Why is his heart beating so fast? Don’t do so many pushups before bed!’ ” she recalled.
“I will say, I don’t regret any of it,” Parker added. “I don’t resent the time spent.”
source: people.com
