Robert Downey Jr. is finest identified for his time within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he is been in quite a few nice films before and after his stint as Iron Man. Nevertheless, a forgotten TV position stays one of many actor’s finest — and I want he’d spent extra time in it. Whereas RDJ’s non-MCU career consists primarily of movies, he has been in just a few TV collection over the course of his profession. One among them was a dramedy that noticed him taking part in the lead character’s love curiosity, years earlier than Iron Man‘s 2008 debut.
Ally McBeal is way from the primary title that involves thoughts when RDJ’s appearing historical past comes up, however he portrayed Larry Paul within the collection from 2000-2002. Showing in simply over 20 episodes, Downey Jr. turned a beloved member of Ally McBeal‘s forged, even when he was solely visitor starring. And whereas he is gone on to greater issues, Larry Paul stays considered one of his most charming characters. It is a disgrace he did not stay on the present longer, as doing so would have made it a extra memorable addition to his filmography. It additionally would’ve helped Ally McBeal’s legacy.
Ally McBeal’s Larry Paul Stays One Of Robert Downey Jr.’s Most Charming Roles
There’s A Purpose The Fan-Favourite Character Is Attributed With Saving The Present
Whereas Downey Jr. has had many iconic roles through the years, his Ally McBeal character stays extraordinarily underrated — and some of the charming additions to his lineup. Larry Paul first reveals up in season 4’s “Intercourse, Lies, and Second Ideas,” shocking Calista Flockhart’s heroine when she goes to her therapist’s workplace, solely to find that he is organising store as an alternative. Larry is a fellow lawyer, and the chemistry between the pair is obvious virtually instantly.
Some even credit score RDJ with saving Ally McBeal, attributing improved scores and its fifth season renewal to his involvement.
Watching that dynamic develop over the course of the present’s fourth season is a spotlight of all the collection, throughout which Ally sometimes struggles together with her love life. Season 3 makes some questionable selections in that regard, however Ally’s real reference to Larry — one which sees him pushing previous her anxieties and reservations — makes up for it. Of all of the character’s love pursuits, he is undoubtedly probably the most compelling. In actual fact, some even credit RDJ with saving Ally McBeal, attributing improved scores and its fifth season renewal to his involvement.
Why Larry Paul Stole The Present In Ally McBeal Season 4
His Pursuit Of Ally Made Him Really feel Like The Very best Man
Ally struggles with dedication points and heartbreak all through Ally McBeal. Due to this, it should not come as a shock that the one seemingly secure and wholesome associate she finds is the one who steals the present. Whereas RDJ’s Tony Stark and Sherlock Holmes are charming due to their flippant attitudes and conduct, Larry Paul permits the actor to embrace a completely totally different persona. He is nonetheless humorous, however his pursuit of Ally is as cautious as it’s passionate.

Associated
Robert Downey Jr. declared that this present with a 98% season 1 Rotten Tomatoes rating was “one of the best factor that is been on TV or theater” in years.
Larry looks like the perfect man throughout his time on Ally McBeal, and Downey Jr.’s allure as an actor contributes to that. This ensured that he turned a fan-favorite for a lot of, which made the character of the character’s exit that rather more disappointing. Though RDJ’s departure from Ally McBeal was the results of exterior circumstances, the selection to jot down him out utilizing a letter felt particularly disappointing after he’d spent all the season proving himself to Ally.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Ally McBeal Function Was Sadly Brief-Lived
He Was Let Go From The Sequence Following An Arrest
Sadly, Downey Jr.’s time on Ally McBeal was short-lived, as the actor was let go from the collection forward of season 4’s ending. RDJ was grappling with substance-use points on the time, and the announcement that he’d been dismissed adopted an arrest and drug fees. This compelled the writers to remodel the season 4 finale, which reportedly would have seen Ally and Larry tying the knot (through Collider). Whereas Entertainment Weekly reported that he wasn’t fired from the present on the time, the circumstances clearly performed a job within the actor’s departure.
Regardless of the motive for it, there isn’t any denying that Downey Jr.’s departure from Ally McBeal was extremely unhappy, particularly after his relationship with Ally had executed a lot to assist the present. It additionally ensured that considered one of his finest roles did not get a correct conclusion — or perhaps a lengthy sufficient run. Fortuitously, Robert Downey Jr. has had an enormous comeback since, however reflecting on his time on Ally McBeal will all the time be bittersweet.
Supply: Collider, Entertainment Weekly

- Launch Date
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1997 – 2002-00-00
- Community
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FOX
- Showrunner
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David E. Kelley
- Administrators
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David E. Kelley
- Writers
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David E. Kelley