Robert Downey Jr.'s Forgotten 28-Year-Old TV Show Is Still One Of His Best Roles & I Wish He Was In More Of It

Robert Downey Jr. is best known for his time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he’s been in a number of great movies before and after his stint as Iron Man. However, a forgotten TV role remains one of the actor’s best — and I wish he’d spent more time in it. While RDJ’s non-MCU career consists primarily of movies, he has been in a few TV series over the course of his career. One of them was a dramedy that saw him playing the lead character’s love interest, years before Iron Man‘s 2008 debut.

Ally McBeal is far from the first title that comes to mind when RDJ’s acting history comes up, but he portrayed Larry Paul in the series from 2000-2002. Appearing in just over 20 episodes, Downey Jr. became a beloved member of Ally McBeal‘s cast, even if he was only guest starring. And while he’s gone on to bigger things, Larry Paul remains one of his most charming characters. It’s a shame he didn’t remain on the show longer, as doing so would have made it a more memorable addition to his filmography. It also would’ve helped Ally McBeal’s legacy.

Ally McBeal’s Larry Paul Remains One Of Robert Downey Jr.’s Most Charming Roles

There’s A Reason The Fan-Favorite Character Is Attributed With Saving The Show

Robert Downey Jr. as Larry Paul in Ally McBeal

While Downey Jr. has had many iconic roles over the years, his Ally McBeal character remains extremely underrated — and one of the most charming additions to his lineup. Larry Paul first shows up in season 4’s “Sex, Lies, and Second Thoughts,” surprising Calista Flockhart’s heroine when she goes to her therapist’s office, only to discover that he’s setting up shop instead. Larry is a fellow lawyer, and the chemistry between the pair is evident almost immediately.

Some even credit RDJ with saving Ally McBeal, attributing improved ratings and its fifth season renewal to his involvement.

Watching that dynamic grow over the course of the show’s fourth season is a highlight of the entire series, during which Ally typically struggles with her love life. Season 3 makes some questionable choices in that regard, but Ally’s genuine connection with Larry — one that sees him pushing past her anxieties and reservations — makes up for it. Of all the character’s love interests, he’s undoubtedly the most compelling. In fact, some even credit RDJ with saving Ally McBeal, attributing improved ratings and its fifth season renewal to his involvement.

Why Larry Paul Stole The Show In Ally McBeal Season 4

His Pursuit Of Ally Made Him Feel Like The Ideal Man

Ally struggles with commitment issues and heartbreak throughout Ally McBeal. Because of this, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the one seemingly stable and healthy partner she finds is the one who steals the show. While RDJ’s Tony Stark and Sherlock Holmes are charming because of their flippant attitudes and behavior, Larry Paul allows the actor to embrace a totally different persona. He’s still humorous, but his pursuit of Ally is as careful as it is passionate.

The Show Robert Downey Jr. Described As “The Best Thing That’s Been On TV Or Theater” Has A Near-Perfect RT Score

Robert Downey Jr. declared that this show with a 98% season 1 Rotten Tomatoes score was “the best thing that’s been on TV or theater” in years.

Larry feels like the ideal man during his time on Ally McBeal, and Downey Jr.’s charm as an actor contributes to that. This ensured that he became a fan-favorite for many, which made the nature of the character’s exit that much more disappointing. Although RDJ’s departure from Ally McBeal was the result of external circumstances, the choice to write him out using a letter felt especially disappointing after he’d spent the entire season proving himself to Ally.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Ally McBeal Role Was Sadly Short-Lived

He Was Let Go From The Series Following An Arrest

Sadly, Downey Jr.’s time on Ally McBeal was short-lived, as the actor was let go from the series ahead of season 4’s ending. RDJ was grappling with substance-use issues at the time, and the announcement that he’d been dismissed followed an arrest and drug charges. This forced the writers to rework the season 4 finale, which reportedly would have seen Ally and Larry tying the knot (via Collider). While Entertainment Weekly reported that he wasn’t fired from the show at the time, the circumstances clearly played a role in the actor’s departure.

Whatever the reason for it, there’s no denying that Downey Jr.’s departure from Ally McBeal was incredibly sad, especially after his relationship with Ally had done so much to help the show. It also ensured that one of his best roles didn’t get a proper conclusion — or even a long enough run. Fortunately, Robert Downey Jr. has had a huge comeback since, but reflecting on his time on Ally McBeal will always be bittersweet.

Source: Collider, Entertainment Weekly