This June, Hollywood came to Chicago and I’m thrilled to report
that I was there for AN EVENING WITH ROBERT DOWNEY, JR.  The award winning actor was in Chicago to receive the Gene Siskel Film Center Renaissance Award.

RDJ was adorable as was his wife/producer Susan, who is from Chicago.  If I hadn’t been a fan before (loved both IRON MAN films, SHERLOCK HOLMES plus so much of his earlier work) I would have immediately fallen under his spell.  RDJ was sweet, witty, insightful and appeared genuinely happy to be at the party.

The evening at The Ritz Carlton started with cocktails, moved on to dinner in the intimate ballroom - each course was named after a RDJ movie and all were beyond yummy!

The best part was the Q & A with Todd Phillips ( also charming and approachable) Asking questions and RDJ Answering them.

Being a film fan I’m familiar with Todd’s work – he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for BORAT (which I did not see).  His latest film, THE HANGOVER (which I did see – it had many very funny moments) is the highest grossing R rated comedy of all time, winner of the Best Comedy Film Award from the Broadcast Film Critics Ass., and the Golden Globe winner for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

The Q & A revealed some “hot news” tidbits.  RDJ and his wife, Susan, have formed their own production company, Team Downey.  Their first project will be the Steve McQueen script “Yucatan”, a heist film.

Plus Todd showed a “first time ever seen” film clip of his new film DUE DATE starring Robert Downey, Jr., Jamie Foxx and Zach Galifianakis.  Very funny!  I’ll be standing in line to see it this Fall.

Oh, yes, I also acquired what will no doubt become a family heirloom for my children and grandchildren.  I always talk with my hands.  Obviously at some point doing the live auction my hand must have shot upward because I am now the proud owner of a signed copy of THE HANGOVER and an IRON MAN helmet signed by Robert Downey, Jr. – the perfect end to a perfect evening!

XO Sherrill