The New York Times featured an intriguing profile of Robert Downey Jr. this Sunday. Star of the upcoming Iron Man, Downey is best known as the most-wasted talent of his generation (both literally and figuratively). His drug problems became so bad that he even spent some time in the clink; since his last stretch he seems newly dedicated to sobriety. Downey also emerged with a different take on society:

"I have a really interesting political point of view, and it’s not always something I say too loud at dinner tables here, but you can’t go from a $2,000-a-night suite at La Mirage to a penitentiary and really understand it and come out a liberal. You can’t. I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone else, but it was very, very, very educational for me and has informed my proclivities and politics every since."

It’s unlikely that Downey will start campaigning for McCain any time soon (note the hint of intimidation that lingers in the air when he mentions "polite" Hollywood conversation), but it is nice to see that he’s putting his life back together and taking a measure of personal responsibility for his previous difficulties. Read the whole profile and make sure to check out Iron Man when it is released May 2.