The news released by the filmmaker’s son, actor Robert Downey Jr., informs that last night (6), Downey Sr. who lived a battle of more than 5 years against parkisson’s disease, died in his sleep. Robert Downey Jr paid a tribute to his late father through Instagram.

“Last night, dad passed peacefully in his sleep after years of enduring the ravages of Parkinson’s ..he was a true maverick filmmaker, and remained remarkably optimistic throughout..According to my stepmoms calculations, they were happily married for just over 2000 years“, wrote Downey Jr..

Robert Downey Sr. is known for directing the 1969 classic Putney Swope and was one of the exponents of the counterculture movement. In addition, he was the one who opened some doors for Downey Jr’s career, being responsible for one of his son’s first cinematographic works in the 1970 film Pound.