Robert Downey Jr., mourning late assistant Jimmy Rich, and Marvel and MCU co-stars pay tribute

Robert Downey Jr. mourns the passing of assistant Jimmy Rich, and some of his Marvel Cinematic Universe co-stars pay tribute to him.

Robert Downey Jr. and the entire Marvel community are mourning the sudden passing of Jimmy Rich, Downey’s longtime assistant. Rich began working with Downey in 2003, when the actor was slowly coming back from substance abuse. Rich supported Downey throughout the process, finally seeing Downey’s breakthrough in Hollywood in 2008 with the first Iron Man movie. Rich worked alongside Downey on other MCU blockbusters he was in, including all of the Avengers Films.

Throughout his 18 years working with Downey, Rich was also credited as an additional crew member and host of most of the actor’s films. Rich also had a small, uncredited role in the 2008 comedy film. Tropic Thunder: Rain of Madness, on which Downey starred in alongside Ben Stiller and Jack Black.

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Downey shared the “terrible and shocking tragedy” of his assistant’s passing on his Instagram account on Thursday. The Avengers Star stated that Rich, only 52 years old, had been in a fatal car accident the day before. In his emotional tribute, Downey shared personal images of Rich, revealing the extent of his closeness. According to the actor, Rich has supported his recovery from substance abuse and has been with him through all of his life and career milestones. He called his late assistant his “brother, right hand man and uncle” to his children.

Many of Downey’s MCU co-stars, including Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Josh Brolin, responded to his post and expressed their condolences. Captain America star Chris Evans He marked the sad day by posting a photo of himself with Rich on his own IG feed, stating that the latter left “an indelible impression” on everyone who worked. Evans remembered Rich and Downey as “inseparable.” Meanwhile, Marvel Studios also paid their own tribute via Twitter, sharing images of Rich taken during the iconic MCU 10th anniversary photoshoot. “Rest in peace, Jimmy. You have been a great friend to us at Marvel Studios for so many years. Your love and your light were an inspiration to all who knew you. ” the tweet says.

Rich’s tragic passing is a true loss to Downey and the entire Marvel community. Just as Downey hung up his Iron Man suit and the MCU began implementing his Phase 4 projects, Rich’s untimely death can be said to be the end of an era as well. For the many Marvel fans he encountered personally, he will be remembered as Downey’s real-life Jarvis, a loyal assistant, friend, and confidant.

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Fountain: Robert Downey Jr./ Instagram

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