When it comes to Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey’s marriage, they have one rule they live by. And the pair credits their 18 years of wedded bliss to that rule.
While talking with People, the Downeys shared that rule with their fans, revealing the have what is called a “two-week rule.” And it means that no matter how busy they get, they never go two-weeks without being together as a family.
“We do have a two-week rule,” Susan shared, “which often feels too long, but we don’t go more than two weeks without seeing each other and the family being together.”
And that’s only when necessary, Susan admits, who adds that “fortunately, we prefer to be a traveling circus when we can be.” Presumably, meaning that she, Robert, and their two children, Exton, 12, and Avri, 9, often travel together.
“You keep the basic rule of two weeks, and then you don’t try and think too far ahead, because so much of what we do is oddly unpredictable,” Susan says, explaining how it works because in their lines of work, “You just never know” what live can through at you.
“Someone might get sick, or there might be a shutdown, or this or that. So you just have to have some basic things in place, and then you have to be willing to flow with the rest of it.”
But as Susan as points out, being a producer gives her more flexibility to make their rule work. “The good news is I’m not in front of the camera, and so as a producer I end up with a little bit more flexibility in terms of location, of where I would need to be,” she shares.
“I really admire and have a lot of empathy for couples who both have to be in front of the camera, because you get stuck and you have to make those choices.”
As for Robert Downey Jr., himself, he tells People that his home life he built with his wife is something he clings too. “It just gives me, honestly, something to attach my neurosis to that’s positive.”
Do you have rule you and your family live by?
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