Quiz

While in the Army, he pitched against Yogi Berra... and struck him out.

Father of Robert Downey Jr..

Mother was famed cover girl Betty McLoughlin.

Paul Thomas Anderson has cited Downey as one of his biggest influences.

Changed his last name to Downey (after his stepfather) at age 15, when he joined the Army.

He directed one film that was selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Putney Swope (1969).

Husband of Elsie Downey, who appeared on screen almost exclusively in his movies.

Father of Allyson Downey.

Born on exactly the same date as Paul L. Smith (of Dune (1984), Fuga di mezzanotte (1978), and Lo spaccatutto (1977) fame).