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EXCLUSIVE: Robert Downey Jr. is practically unrecognizable when he’s spotted on the set of The Sympathizer in Los Angeles
TheImageDirect.com Robert Downey Jr. in character
Robert Downey Jr. seems to be giving his all for his new HBO series The Sympathizer.
The 57-year-old actor looked completely unrecognizable when he was photographed on the show’s set in Los Angeles. Sporting receding, curly red hair and bleached eyebrows, he dressed in the familiar old man’s attire of a burgundy jacket and pink shirt, revealing a white T-shirt. He also wore navy blue pants and brown shoes.
The historical drama thriller follows a half-French, half-Vietnamese (Hoa Xuande) who served as a spy for the communist forces during the Vietnam War. Sandra Oh also appears in the series, which is based on author Viet Thanh Nguyen’s 2015 book of the same name.
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According to , Downey Jr. will play several supporting roles.
Stepping into the role was a family affair for the father-of-three, who shares son Indio, 29, with ex-wife Deborah Falconer, and children Exton, 10, and Avri, 8, with wife Susan Downey.
EXCLUSIVE: Robert Downey Jr. is practically unrecognizable when he’s spotted on the set of The Sympathizer in Los Angeles
TheImageDirect.com Robert Downey Jr. in character
In October, Downey Jr. gave his two younger children a special role in preparing for the role by having his head shaved. He even documented the role for social media.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I need your help,” the star begins the video, entering a room where his kids are carving pumpkins. “Do you know how I will start this project soon?”
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“Yes, the sympathizer?” says Avri, while Exton adds, “Yeah, you play like five roles or something.”
“Right. Well, anyway, I don’t want to go bald, so you guys are going to shave my head?” he asks his children, who look up in confusion.
“Is that even appropriate?” Avri says with a grin before she and her brother get down to their father’s haircut.
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After completely shaving Downey Jr.’s head, the actor shows off his new look and says, “Great job guys.
The two children then whisper to each other to decide on their preferred method of payment.
“Keep your money, Avri has a better idea,” says Exton, as Avri tells her father, “I need help with a Halloween project.”
EXCLUSIVE: Robert Downey Jr. is practically unrecognizable when he’s spotted on the set of The Sympathizer in Los Angeles
TheImageDirect.com Robert Downey Jr. in character
Avri then turns her father’s bald head into a pumpkin and uses the back of his head as a painting surface. She even added a pumpkin stalk to her dad’s head to complete the look and gave the pumpkin a smiling carved face.
Under the post, the Iron Man star wrote, “The things we do for our jobs… and our kids. #Sympathizer ready.”