Robert Downey Jr.: Working With DJ AM On ‘Iron Man 2' Was ‘An Inspiration'

DJ AM accidentally overdosed three months after filming his cameo in "Iron Man 2," and the cast and crew of the upcoming Marvel movie said Monday's premiere was bittersweet without him there.

"He really had turned his life around and then obviously something changed," Robert Downey Jr. told Access Hollywood's Tony Potts on Monday at the "Iron Man 2" premiere in Hollywood.

"My memory of him, and I believe should be everybody's, is he was just an inspiration," Robert continued. "A gifted guy, really optimistic guy and he really just got caught flat footed and that's a horrible tragedy."

Director Jon Favreau who dedicated the movie to the late DJ – whose real name was Adam Goldstein – said he looks back positively on AM's life and impact.

"I still count DJ AM as having made it, he was 11 years sober. It's tough because you have one rough night and that's it," Jon told Access on Monday. "He just came off as a really healthy, together guy and I really enjoyed the time I got to spend with him…it was just very surprising, of all people, it seem like he was rock solid. So, I choose to remember him as somebody who inspired others, both with the music and helping other people with their recovery."

Don Cheadle, who suits up alongside Tony Stark as Lt. Col. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes in the sequel, said he hopes others battling addiction will learn from the late DJ.

"It's a tribute to him," Don told Access on Sunday at the movie's junket. "It's tragic obviously what happened, but it's a cautionary tale to everyone who struggles with that."


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PLAY IT NOW: 'Iron Man 2' Stars Talk DJ AM's 'Iron Man 2' Cameo
PLAY IT NOW: Robert Downey Jr.'s 'Iron Man 2' Premiere, Los Angeles

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: 'Iron Man 2' - Jon Favreau - Iron Man - Tony Potts - Marvel

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