Dismissed from Ally McBeal Following Another Arrest
Robert Downey Jr.'s days of dancing to retro tunes, tackling outlandishly eccentric cases, and romancing a particular unmarried female attorney on the Fox show Ally McBeal have come to an end.
The troubled actor faced termination from the series after being apprehended for his most recent drug-related offense just hours before.
At the time of the late-night arrest for suspected drug influence, Downey, aged 36, was walking in Culver City, near the southwest region of Los Angeles, as confirmed by police Lt. Dave Tankenson.
Further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the arrest or the type of substance involved were not disclosed by the authorities.
Subsequently, Downey was taken into custody briefly, issued a citation, and then released to his parole supervisor.
He is expected to appear in court on May 4.
In response to the incident, David E. Kelley, the Emmy-winning producer of Ally McBeal, announced on Tuesday that Downey will no longer be featured in any upcoming episodes of the show as initially planned.
“We are finalizing the storylines for the remaining episodes of this season of Ally McBeal without his participation,” stated Kelley.
Previously, the producer had been supportive of Downey but altered his stance following the recent arrest, despite extending the actor's contract after a previous drug-related arrest in November.
This particular arrest occurred shortly after Downey's release from state prison on another drug charge.
Expressing his sentiments, Kelley described Downey as a unique talent and a remarkable individual, conveying well wishes for his recovery and future endeavors.
Although some scenes with Downey have already been filmed for forthcoming episodes, it remains uncertain if this footage will be used in light of recent events, according to Kelley's publicist Bonnie Winings.
Downey's portrayal as Calista Flockhart's boyfriend on Ally McBeal earned him a Golden Globe Award and was instrumental in revitalizing the show's viewership this season.
Notably, in 1992, Downey received an Oscar nomination for his role as Charlie Chaplin.
Following Tuesday's arrest, Downey faced the possibility of returning to jail.
However, rather than pursuing a parole violation, his parole officer opted to admit him to a detox facility for a minimum of 72 hours, as confirmed by Terry Thornton, spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections.
Subsequently, Downey is slated to undergo a six-month residential drug treatment program with intensified drug monitoring.
Thornton emphasized the aim of the intervention is to prevent recidivism and provide support for rehabilitation rather than incarceration due to limited treatment facilities.
Alan Nierob, Downey's spokesperson, highlighted the actor's commitment to his recovery journey, noting his immediate enrollment in the rehabilitation center as a positive step towards sobriety.
Downey's legal entanglements date back to 1996 when he was arrested for speeding and found to be in possession of cocaine, heroin, and a firearm in his vehicle.
His troubles escalated when he was discovered unconscious in a neighbor's residence the following month, leading to hospitalization at a substance abuse treatment center.
Shortly thereafter, he faced charges for fleeing the treatment facility.
In August 1999, Downey was sentenced to three years in prison for probation violation resulting from missed drug tests, only to be released on bail a year later.
In the recent Palm Springs incident last November, Downey was apprehended at a hotel after reports of drugs and firearms in his room, culminating in charges of drug possession and influence under controlled substances.
Legal proceedings in this case are ongoing, with his defense challenging the legality of the search that led to his arrest, scheduled for a court appearance on Monday.
— Adapted from The Associated Press
