Already have an account?
Get back to the

Robert Downey Jr. Asks Matthew Broderick’s Permission to See Ex-Girlfriend Sarah Jessica Parker

Robert Downey Jr, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker
Robert Downey Jr. said he would ask Matthew Broderick's permission to visit with ex-girlfriend Sarah Jessica Parker.

Old flames die hard! After meeting on the set of Firstborn in 1984, A-listers Robert Downey Jr. and Sarah Jessica Parker had a high-profile romance until the Sex and the City star split with the Iron Man actor (both 49) over his repeated drug and alcohol abuse. In a new interview on The Howard Stern Show, Downey Jr. opened up about his past love after Stern asked if Parker had broken his heart. 

Related: PHOTOS: Friendliest celebrity exes

“I’ve never been the kind of person to acknowledge what’s going on with me at the time, and I’d try to make light of it, but sure, when you’re with someone for seven years, 18 to our mid-20s, it’s kind of a big deal,” The Judge star admitted. 

In fact, now that it’s been more than 20 years since their split, Downey Jr., who is currently expecting a daughter with wife Susan Downey, would like to catch up with his ex.  

robert downey jr and sarah jessica parker
Robert Downey Jr. and Sarah Jessica Parker attend the ABC Annual Fall Affiliates Dinner on June 14, 1990.

“I’ll make a point of trying to see her while I’m here. I’d like to,” he said. Adding of Parker’s husband Matthew Broderick, “I’ll ask his permission. I just want to check in for a few minutes. I love Matthew Broderick.”

The notorious shock jock then got a little racy, asking if Downey Jr. ever, ahem, pleasured himself to the idea of his ex, to which the actor cheekily replied, “No, I’d have to ask Matthew’s permission.” 

As the conversation continued, the former bad boy seemed to become increasingly embarrassed, saying, “First of all, I respect both of them so much, and now we have to get past this conversation. For any situation like this, I think enough time has to pass. You don’t have to make a big deal of it when the time is right.”

When Stern suggested Downey Jr. invite Broderick to a lunch with Parker, the Oscar nominee quipped, “I’d love to have him there. I’ll bring Susan. Would you mind coming just to kind of mediate the whole thing? It would be a natural extension seeing as you’re a part of the conversation.”

Tell Us: Did Robert Downey Jr. and Sarah Jessica Parker make a good couple?

In this article

Got a Tip form close button
Got a tip for US?
We're All Ears for Celebrity Buzz!