Robert Downey Jr. shares lessons he learned from his short-lived time on SNL50

• Robert Downey Jr. reflected on his brief time on SNL50.
• He admitted that his experience was invaluable.
• Downey credits Anthony Michael Hall for getting him the audition.

Robert Downey Jr. reflected on his brief yet impactful time on Saturday Night Live in the new docuseries SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night. Downey, who was part of the show’s 11th season in 1985-1986, admitted that his experience, though short-lived, was invaluable and made him learn many things.

At just 20 years old, he said, “I learned so much in that year about what I wasn’t. But there’s not a more exciting 90 minutes you could have, whether you are any good or not.” Despite the challenges, Downey appreciated the opportunity to be part of the iconic sketch show.

Downey credits his friend, Anthony Michael Hall, for getting him the audition. “Michael Hall said to me, ‘I’m gonna go do SNL. I’m gonna get you an audition and I bet you’re gonna get yourself on the show too,’” Downey recalled. Hall, who was the youngest cast member at just 17, also reflects on the difficulties of his time on the show, acknowledging the challenges the writers faced in creating material for someone so young: “For a lot of the writers to figure out how to write for this kid — I think it was a big challenge.”

The 11th season of SNL is often considered one of its weakest, leading to several cast changes the following year.