Personal Profile

Christian Gilbert

Journalism

13 March 2014

Becoming Iron Man: 
An Origin Story

            Every hero needs an origin story, a past of hard times and difficult trials that shape the person we know today. The personal profile I read was one from GQ magazine by Chris Heath, and was on the wildly talented Robert Downey Jr. It was an interview with the actor where they discussed his tumultuous past which lead to his present success and what the future holds. The profile is called RDJ’s origin story for the Hollywood actor, one who fell from graces, struggled through many hardships and was eventually reborn into the hero he is today. An appropriate analogy for the portrayer of Tony Stark.

            The profile begins with an anecdote about the small, leather briefcase Downey carries with him at all times. It contents containing notes, quit-smoking gum, and a solid gold Iron Man helmet. Robert then tells about how he just stares at the mask, contemplating what it takes to be the man inside. This is a fantastic beginning the article which leads to the story of the man that fought to be the hero. After the anecdote, the article discusses, for those who are unaware, why RDJ is so huge today. It discusses how popular he is and how much of a change it was from a decade ago. It uses the conversation between Heath and Downey to flawlessly paint a picture of his current success.

            They then move into Robert’s past for some time and how he struggled not only as an actor, but with drugs, arrests and other challenges. Then they described how things began to change and the fight that would put him on top. The fight to be Iron Man, perhaps the most fitting end for an origin. RDJ describes the reluctances of most in letting him have the part, or even get a screen test, but he remained persistent and now he is just as big as his on-screen character.

            After discusses his rise to fame, they spent some time going over his present fame and claim to being one of the greatest actors of his generation. They remark that it seems he can do no wrong, a far cry from his past. The two then move into what his future holds, bringing in the final chapter of the profile. The interview is wrapped up with a glorious quote by RDJ on the topic of Oscars. After claiming he will get one eventually, he is asked if one is enough, to which he replies no, zero is fine and pauses “Zero, or two.”

            The six page article was just long enough for someone such as Robert Downey Jr. and hit all the keys aspects. It transitioned beautifully from segment to segment and carried the story structure all throughout. All in all, this is a fantastic example of a personal profile.