Downey Jr. Said to Be Depressed

ByABC News
December 6, 2000, 1:56 PM

Dec. 6 -- Robert Downey Jr. allegedly checked himself into a hospital last weekend for depression, possibly caused by his recent legal woes.

A Tuesday edition of gabby TV show Access Hollywood said the actor was treated in the psychiatric unit at celeb-friendly Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, Calif. Downey was apparently admitted Friday and checked out Sunday, the syndicated program noted.

Downeys publicist declined to comment. This is not the first time Downey has apparently suffered from depression; in the August issue of Vanity Fair, he claimed he was sinking further into my depression sessions.

Downey has been diagnosed as manic-depressive and has been put on suicide watch in the past.

Awaiting Legal ProcessMeanwhile, Downey was reportedly spotted having lunch with actor Mel Gibson, who is tentatively scheduled to direct Downey in a January stage production of William Shakespeares Hamlet, Access Hollywood continued.

If Downey is convicted of felony drug charges stemming from his Nov. 25 arrest at Merv Griffins resort in Palm Springs, Calif., he could face more than six years in jail.

Palm Springs police have now recommended that Downey be charged with two felony counts of drug possession and one misdemeanor count of being under the influence of a controlled substance, Sue Steding, assistant district attorney for Riverside County, told Reuters.

A decision on what charges prosecutors will file against the actor will be made as early as next week, Steding said. Downey is scheduled for arraignment Dec. 27 in Indio, Calif.