Robert Downey Jr is mourning his assistant who passed away from a fatal car accident on Wednesday at around 8pm.
The 56-year-old actor took to Instagram today to report that his friend Jimmy Rich had died at the age of 52.
He posted a series of pictures of Jimmy alongside a heartfelt tribute where he called Jimmy his “brother”.
Robert wrote: “This is not news. This is a terrible and shocking tragedy. Jimmy Rich was in a fatal car accident at approx. 8pm yesterday.
“He was a brother, my right-hand man, an uncle to our kids and beloved by all who experienced his singular character and wit.”
(Image: Jimmy Rich/Instagram)
He went on to describe how Jimmy had been instrumental in helping him stay drug-free since 2003.
“Our thoughts go to his relatives, friends, co-workers, and all the fans who knew him as the man who supported every step of my recovery, life and career,” he continued.
Robert suffered several career troubles while being arrested numerous times for charges related to drugs including marijuana, cocaine, and heroin from 1996 to 2001.
(Image: Robert Downey Jr./Instagram)
He managed to get clean with help from Jimmy and his wife Susan Levin and proceeded to become one of the world’s biggest movie stars.
Robert concluded his sweet post by saying: “Again, my condolences to his beautiful family, and the legacy of hope and redemption his life will continue to represent.
“Peace Be Unto You.”
Robert’s Marvel co-star Chris Evan also posted a tribute to Jimmy, sharing a picture of the two of them alongside a touching message.
(Image: Jimmy Rich/Instagram)
He wrote: “‘I don’t have the words. Jimmy Rich was unlike anyone else. He left an indelible impression on everyone he met. No one more so than my brother @robertdowneyjr They were inseparable.”
“‘I’m sending all my love to Jimmy’s friends and family. Be sure to hug your loved ones tightly and please take the time today to show Downey how many people love him and are here for him during this incredibly dark time.”
Joining him, was Josh Brolin who also wrote a tribute to Jimmy where he also credited him with helping him stay sober.
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He wrote: “Once in a while people touch your heart in a deeper way than with just a breeze, in a deeper way than a, maybe, slight grazing, but more to where the heart was born.
“There lives a place inside of me from which everything and everyone else begins and ends. It is the place where people, whether in my life are not, live forevermore if they, indeed, touched from there the nucleus of my heart.”
“Jimmy Rich (@jimmy_rich), my buddy, my brother, my fellow sober warrior, you have and will always swim in that place of mine, that purest place of love inside me. I am forever grateful for the gift of your heart upon mine.
“And I am forever grateful to RDJ for bringing not only your own gold, but his, into this elusive circus sphere that I call home. To your continued resting peace, my sweet brother”.
According to IMDB Rich first worked as Robert’s assistant in 2003 for The Singing Detective and stayed with him for over 20 films including every Marvel film Robert starred in.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
