Robert Downey Jr. Goes Plant-Based to Combat His “Carbon Footprint Nightmare Colossus”

“I’m a one-man carbon footprint nightmare colossus.” So said Robert Downey, Jr. to a Variety reporter at the premiere of "Dolittle," produced by his wife Susan. The whole "I'm going vegan" thing wasn't exactly an announcement as a moment in a conversation. Downey, bragging about his wife's cinema-graphic creds, told Variety: She is the greatest creative producer in the history of cinema,” Downey said of his wife. “And I make faces for cash and chicken. Even though no, I’m off chicken now.” The Iron Man star then backtracked and corrected himself to say: for cash and "legumes.

“Not chicken anymore,” added Susan.

“I’m going plant-based! For cash and legumes,” joked the Iron Man star.

The move is tied into his philanthropic work. Last year Downey said his foundation, the footprint Coalition, was slated to launch this coming April to combat climate change.  “Between robotics and nanotechnology, we could clean up the planet significantly, if not totally, in 10 years,” Downey said. “I have this quiet sense of crisis,” he added, and decided to lower his own personal contribution to the climate impact of his food choices by going plant-based. “I’m a one-man carbon footprint nightmare colossus.” 

Hollywood stars are starting to go public in greater numbers with their support of eating plant-based for the sake of the environment. Award ceremonies are going vegan, too; the SAG awards followed the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Awards in serving a fully plant-based menu this year. All three awards shows were applauded by members of the film community for making the move to plant-based menus.

Actor Joaquin Phoenix is reportedly behind the pressure to get the Hollywood Foreign Press to move to plant-based. He praised the last-minute menu shift in his acceptance speech when he won a Globe for his role in Joker. Unnamed sources reportedly told Variety magazine that Phoenix suggested the idea to the Globes, and played a key role in persuading them to make the switch.

Next up: the Oscars. While no dinner is served during the awards ceremony, we can't wait to see what the after parties are serving this year.