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American Morning

Showbiz Today Reports: Robert Downey Jr. Arrested

Aired April 25, 2001 - 10:37   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Actor Robert Downey Jr. is in trouble again.

LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And this time, "Ally McBeal" has given him the boot already.

CNN's Michael Okwu joins us now, from New York.

He's got the latest on this big blockbuster showbiz news this morning -- Michael.

MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon; good morning, Kyra; and hello, everyone.

That's right, it's not very good news for Robert Downey Jr. this morning. He's in a detoxification center this morning, after his latest brush with the law. Yesterday's arrest marks the latest criminal run-in for the 36-year-old actor, whose release from prison last year, followed by a renewed acting career and subsequent battles with addiction, has been closely watched.

Paul Vercammen has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is the latest mug shot, the latest snapshot, in the saga of actor Robert Downey Jr. Downey was arrested on charges of being under the influence of a controlled substance, after being stopped by a patrol officer, in an alley, in Culver City, California, early Tuesday morning.

The state department of corrections reports Downey was released into the custody of parole agents and taken to a detoxification center, where were he will remain for at least 72 hours. A corrections spokesperson adds that after detoxification, Downey will be placed in an undetermined live-in drug facility for at least six months, where he will undergo increased drug testing. The corrections official also says it's undetermined if Downey will be allowed to leave the center to work.

Downey was released from prison last August, after serving time for repeatedly violating terms of his probation on a prior drug conviction. Experts on drug addiction say people like Downey are vulnerable to unpredictable relapses.

DR. PHILIP SCHWARZMAN, PROVIDENCE/ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL: Drug, alcohol or tobacco addiction is a very complex medical and psychological problem, and despite how well a person may appear to be doing on the surface, there are still deep underlying problems that will compel that person to manifest behavior like this, which is harmful and destructive.

VERCAMMEN: Downey's attorney says his client remains committed to beating his drug addiction eventually.

Downey's arrest comes less than a week before Downey is scheduled to appear in court in Indio, California, on a separate batch of drug charges. Downey was arrested at a luxury hotel last November, on charges of felony possession of cocaine and Valium. Downey's attorneys have filed a motion to suppress evidence in the Indio case, alleging Downey was the subject of an illegal search.

Now the actor's court appearance in that case is up in the air, and Downey's scheduled Tuesday night record store promotion with "Ally McBeal"'s Vonda Shepard was canceled.

Paul Vercammen, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OKWU: After learning of the arrest, "Ally McBeal"'s producer, David E. Kelley, released a statement reading "We are wrapping up the stories on the final few episodes of 'Ally McBeal' for the season without him." Kelley added that the show wished Downey the best and hope for a full recovery.

In other news, television pioneer Milton Berle has been diagnosed with cancer. The 92-year-old entertainer, who got his start in Vaudeville, in the 1920s, released a statement with his wife saying doctors have decided not to operate on the cancerous tumor found on his colon. They added the tumor is "growing so slowly it will take 10 to 12 years to affect him in any significant or life-threatening way. He is planning on living life to the fullest." We, of course, wish "Uncle Miltie" the best.

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