Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan, keep their marriage strong with a '2-week rule' (2024)

Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan, keep their marriage strong with a '2-week rule' (1)

  • Robert Downey Jr. said he and his wife, Susan, follow a "two-week rule" to keep them strong.
  • The rule is they don't go more than two weeks without seeing each other and their family, they said.
  • "Fortunately, we prefer to be a traveling circus when we can be," Susan Downey told People.

Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan, keep their marriage strong with a '2-week rule' (2)

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Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan, keep their marriage strong with a '2-week rule' (4)

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Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan, don't let their busy schedules stand in the way of spending time together.

The couple, who have been married for 18 years, keep their relationship strong with a "two-week rule" that allows them to be with their family, they said.

"We do have a two-week rule, which often feels too long, but we don't go more than two weeks without seeing each other and the family being together," Susan Downey told People in a recent interview. "Fortunately, we prefer to be a traveling circus when we can be."

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The couple have two children together: Exton Elias Downey, 12, and Avri Roel Downey, 9. Downey Jr. is also the father of Indio Falconer Downey, 30, a son from his previous marriage to Deborah Falconer.

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But even with the rule, things don't always go according to plan, Susan Downey said.

"You keep the basic rule of two weeks, and then you don't try and think too far ahead because so much of what we do is oddly unpredictable," she said. She's a film producer and a cofounder of Team Downey, a production house she started with her husband.

On the bright side, Susan's work schedule isn't as hectic as her husband's.

"The good news is I'm not in front of the camera, and so as a producer, I end up with a little bit more flexibility in terms of location, of where I would need to be," she said.

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Things could have been very different if they both had an acting career, Susan Downey added: "I really admire and have a lot of empathy for couples who both have to be in front of the camera because you get stuck and you have to make those choices."

They're not the only Hollywood couple who've established rules around maintaining a work-life balance: Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, who've been married since 2012, agreed not to work at the same time when they started dating so they could put their personal lives first.

In a world that can feel increasingly isolated, making a point to spend meaningful time with your partner isn't just good for relationships, it's good for friendships, too. Science has shown that having strong personal connections can lead to increased happiness, better health, and even a longer life span.

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Watch: The one strategy couples should use to survive tough times in a relationship

Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan, keep their marriage strong with a '2-week rule' (5)

Marriage

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Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan, keep their marriage strong with a '2-week rule' (2024)

FAQs

Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan, keep their marriage strong with a '2-week rule'? ›

and his wife, Susan, keep their marriage strong with a '2-week rule' Robert Downey Jr. said he and his wife, Susan, follow a "two-week rule" to keep them strong. The rule is they don't go more than two weeks without seeing each other and their family, they said.

What is the 2 week rule in marriage? ›

The 2-2-2 Rule involves going on a date night every two weeks, spending a weekend away every two months and taking a week-long vacation away every two years. The idea behind it is that prioritizing and planning to spend time together strengthens your relationship.

How many wives did Robert Downey have? ›

Downey was married three times. His first marriage was to actress Elsie Ann Ford (1934–2014) in 1962, with whom he had two children: actress-writer Allyson (b. 1963) and actor Robert Jr. (b.

What is the two-week rule Robert Downey's wife? ›

“We do have a two-week rule, which often feels too long, but we don't go more than two weeks without seeing each other and the family being together,” Susan says in the new issue of PEOPLE, which highlights the actor's Oscar win for Oppenheimer.

How does the two week rule work? ›

The two week wait referral system allows a patient with symptoms that may indicate an underlying cancer to be seen as quickly as possible. Your GP may refer you because they are concerned about your symptoms and require a specialist opinion to exclude cancer.

What is the 2 2 2 rule for marriage? ›

Relationship expert Dr. Laura Berman discusses the romance advice once again going viral: the 2-2-2 date rule. The guidance says committed couples should go on a date once every two weeks, spend a weekend away every two months and take a week-long vacation every two years.

Is Robert Downey Jr. a billionaire? ›

Robert Downey Jr.'s estimated net worth is $300 million as of 2024.

Why did Robert Downey Jr. retire as Iron Man? ›

It purely came down to the Marvel board being nervous at putting all of their chips in their future films on somebody who famously had those legal troubles in the past,” Feige said of Downey's arrests. “I wasn't very good — and I'm still not great — at taking no for an answer.

Did Robert Downey Jr. remarry? ›

Actor Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, film producer Susan Downey, have been together for over 20 years, share two children, and run a successful production company. They are a true Hollywood power couple.

What is Robert Downey's 2 week rule? ›

Robert Downey Jr. said he and his wife, Susan, follow a "two-week rule" to keep them strong. The rule is they don't go more than two weeks without seeing each other and their family, they said. "Fortunately, we prefer to be a traveling circus when we can be," Susan Downey told People.

What is the 2 week rule? ›

Know when to call your doctor by using the 2-week rule: If you notice a subtle change in your normal health and it lasts 2 weeks or more, it's time to explore what is causing the change. Your doctor wants to hear from you before a small problem becomes a bigger, more complex one.

How long has Robert Downey Jr. been married to Susan? ›

They married in 2005.

Robert proposed just months after they met, and they had a two-year-long engagement, during which Susan helped her husband-to-be get sober.

What animals does Robert Downey Jr own? ›

Robert Downey Jr. Pets
  • MONTGOMERY AND DARTANIAN. Pet Type: Cats. Date of birth: Adopted in 2011.
  • POPS AND LADY BUG. Pet Type: Pigs. Breed: Kunekune.
  • PEPPER AND ZOLTAK. Pet Type: Goats.
  • TRIGGER, MEMO AND FLASH. Pet Type: Goats. Breed: American Pygmy.

Why did Robert Downey Jr. call his wife a veterinarian? ›

was cracking jokes from the minute he took the stage, beginning his speech by saying, "I'd like to thank my terrible childhood and the Academy, in that order." He then joked, "I'd like to thank my veterinarian — I meant wife — Susan Downey over there. She found me, a snarling rescue pet, and loved me back to life.

Who is America's best veterinarian? ›

Gary Richter - America's Favorite Veterinarian and Best-Selling Author.

What is the 777 rule in marriage? ›

Here's how the 777 Rule works: every seven days you go on a date, every seven weeks you go away for the night and every seven months the two of you head off on a romantic holiday. It might sound a tad prescriptive, and an à deux holiday almost twice a year could be one too many, but nevertheless we get the point.

What is the 10 minute rule in marriage? ›

Every day, for 10 minutes, talk alone about something other than work, the family and children, the household, the relationship.

What is the #1 rule of marriage? ›

The Golden Rule.

Treat your significant other the way you would want to be treated. Be the person you would want to be married to.

What is the 3 3 3 rule in a relationship? ›

The principle of this rule is when you are stressed. You should take some time to try to name three things you see, three things you hear, and three things you can touch. Taking a short break can bring you back into the present moment and ease anxious symptoms.

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