'A corrective experience with legitimate journalism': Robert Downey Jr cuddles up to Diane Sawyer... and takes a dig at the TV reporter who prompted him to storm out of THAT interview 

Robert Downey Jr stormed out of a TV interview this week after being asked about his history of drugs and prison, telling the reporter he didn't sign up for a Diane Sawyer style tell-all.

And on Friday the 50-year-old happily got up close and personal with the woman herself.

Smiling away as he prepared to have a promotional chat on Live With Kelly And Michael, the Iron Man star posed up for a picture with the veteran journalist, who was in the guest seat for a change as well.

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Hug it out: Despite having a sour taste in his mouth when it comes to journalists at the moment, on Friday Robert Downey Jr happily got up close and personal with Diane Sawyer

Hug it out: Despite having a sour taste in his mouth when it comes to journalists at the moment, on Friday Robert Downey Jr happily got up close and personal with Diane Sawyer

The 50-year-old actor took the opportunity to get in a dig at Channel 4 reporter Krishnan Guru-Murthy by calling his encounter with Sawyer 'a corrective experience with legitimate journalism.'

Robert, who is currently promoting his new ensemble cast flick Avengers: Age of Ultron, also posted a picture of himself hamming it up with Kelly Rippa and Michael Strahan.

His cozying up to interviewers could not have been in more of a contrast to his behaviour earlier this week when he stormed out of a TV interview when asked about his history of drug abuse and time in prison. 

No walk out here: Robert, who is currently promoting his new ensemble cast flick Avengers: Age of Ultron, also posted a picture of himself hamming it up with Kelly Rippa and Michael Strahan

No walk out here: Robert, who is currently promoting his new ensemble cast flick Avengers: Age of Ultron, also posted a picture of himself hamming it up with Kelly Rippa and Michael Strahan

The actor was furious when the line of questioning got personal in a recorded chat with Channel 4 in London - branding it a 'bit Diane Sawyer'.

While he had started out comfortably chatting to interviewer Krishnan Guru-Murthy, when the reporter noted the actor like his character Tony Stark - a capitalist turned superhero - was becoming a better person having overcome his demons to inspire.  

The trouble started when the news anchor asked Downey Jr to explain a comment in a five-year-old interview with the New York Times, in which he said: '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.' 

Calling time: During an interview for Avengers: Age of Ultron, the star left before the end of the sit down with Chanel 4's Krishnan Guru-Murthy

Calling time: During an interview for Avengers: Age of Ultron, the star left before the end of the sit down with Chanel 4's Krishnan Guru-Murthy

He's off: When asked about his relationship with his father, the star gets up and says: 'I'm sorry, I really don't... what are we doing?' before walking out

He's off: When asked about his relationship with his father, the star gets up and says: 'I'm sorry, I really don't... what are we doing?' before walking out

'It's all getting very Diane Sawyer in here':While happy to hug her on Friday clearly the Iron Man satr does not want to be interviewed by her either 

'It's all getting very Diane Sawyer in here':While happy to hug her on Friday clearly the Iron Man satr does not want to be interviewed by her either 

Responding, the actor said: 'I could pick that apart for two hours and be no closer to the truth than giving you some half-arsed answer right now. I couldn't even tell you what a liberal is.'

But, when asked about his relationship with his father, Robert gets up and says: 'I'm sorry, I really don't... what are we doing?' before walking out of the interview. 

At that point he turns and says: 'It's all getting a bit Diane Sawyer [a U.S. journalist known for her investigative interviewing].' 

Well that's awkward? The Channel 4 news presenter and his staff were left bemused by Robert's walk out

Well that's awkward? The Channel 4 news presenter and his staff were left bemused by Robert's walk out

Off to a good start: Downey Jr was charming as the exchange started - in which, as arranged, he would discuss his experiences on the new blockbuster, which premiered in London on Tuesday

Off to a good start: Downey Jr was charming as the exchange started - in which, as arranged, he would discuss his experiences on the new blockbuster, which premiered in London on Tuesday

Robert rarely talks about his long battle with drugs and alcohol which saw him arrested multiple times between 1996 and 2001.

This dark phase in his life culminated in 1999 when he was sentenced to three years in prison for repeatedly missing drug testing which was court-mandated after he broke into a neighbour's home and fell asleep while on parole from possessing drugs and a firearm. 

He spent a year in California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, before he was released in a surprise ruling. 

Getting personal: But when Guru-Murthy asked questions about his long-conquered personal demons, the star could be seen getting visibly uncomfortable

Getting personal: But when Guru-Murthy asked questions about his long-conquered personal demons, the star could be seen getting visibly uncomfortable

Not happy: The 50 year-old actor remained professional, but was clearly upset by the random questions

Not happy: The 50 year-old actor remained professional, but was clearly upset by the random questions

He was arrested again in 2001 for drug possession and sent to rehab before.

Robert maintains he has been entirely sober since July 2003. In interviews, he credits meditation, yoga, 12-step recovery programs and the support of his second wife, film producer Susan Downey.

Tragically, last June, his son Indio was arrested on felony drug charges - something the actor fears is genetic.

Robert told Vanity Fair: 'Unfortunately there's a genetic component to addiction and Indio has likely inherited it.'

Troubled: Between 1996 and 2001, Downey Jr. had multiple run-ins with the law and several arrests on drug-related charges. He was sentenced to three years of prison, but ended up spending on a year

Troubled: Between 1996 and 2001, Downey Jr. had multiple run-ins with the law and several arrests on drug-related charges. He was sentenced to three years of prison, but ended up spending on a year

TIMELINE OF ROBERT DOWNEY JR'S DECADE-LONG DRUG DOWNFALL

1971 - Robert Downey Sr starts supplying his six-year-old son with marijuana

1991 - Breaks up with girlfriend Sarah Jessica Parker because of his drug issues

May 1992 - Marries actress/singer Deborah Falconer after 42-day courtship

September 1993 - Birth of Indio Downey 

April 1996 - Arrested for possessing heroin, cocaine, and unloaded handgun while speeding down Sunset Boulevard

May 1996 - While on parole, a high Downey trespasses on neighbor's home and is found passed out in one of the beds. Sentenced to three years probation and compulsory drug testing.

1997 - Misses court-ordered drug test and spends four months in L.A. County jail

1999 - Misses another court-ordered drug test and spends the next year in California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and state prison in Corcoran, California

2000 - Released early from prison on $5,000 bail and goes on to secure celebrated role on Ally McBeal

Thanksgiving 2000 - Arrested at Palm Springs spa after police search his room and find Downey under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of cocaine and Valium

2001 - Splits with Falconer, who gains custody of Indio

April 2001 - Officer finds Downey wandering barefoot in Culver City and arrests him on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs. Tests show he had cocaine in his system

July 2001 - Pleads no contest to Palm Springs charges, and avoids jail time. Is sent to rehab instead and put on three-year probation

January 2003 - Appears in film The Singing Detective, after friend Mel Gibson pays his insurance bond for the movie.

July 2003 - Downey achieves sobriety

August 2005 - Marries film producer Susan Levin

February 2012 - Son Exton Elias Downey is born

October 2013 - Indio Downey sent to rehab for prescription drug abuse

Since Robert has got clean he has mounted a massive career comeback, the crown jewel of which have been his massively successful role as egotistical billionaire superhero Tony Stark aka Iron Man.

Over the course of four movies, he has grossed nearly $4 billion in worldwide ticket sales. 

The fifth movie featuring an ensemble cast of superheros including Iron Man, Avengers: Age of Ultron, promises to be yet another box office smash when it is released May 1.

Fighting fit: The Avengers sees an ensemble cast featuring Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Robert as Iron Man and Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk 

Fighting fit: The Avengers sees an ensemble cast featuring Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Robert as Iron Man and Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk 

 

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