Jimmy Rich, longtime assistant and family-friend to Robert Downey Jr. and the Marvel family, reportedly died in a car accident on Wednesday evening. On Thursday morning, Downey Jr. shared a tribute to Rich on his social media pages, calling Rich “a brother,” “right-hand man” and uncle to his children.
“Our thoughts go to his relatives, friends, co-workers, and all the fans who knew him as the man who supported every step of my recovery, life and career,” Downey Jr. wrote on Instagram.
“Such a tragedy. Such a good man. I have known him almost as long as I have known you, Robert,” Mark Ruffalo wrote in a comment on Downey Jr.’s post. “Breaks my heart to have Jimmy go over to the other world. You will be missed, Jimmy. Thanks for always being real, always being there to lend a hand and showing the way of light forward to so many people. Another sad day.”
Josh Brolin, who also starred in the Marvel franchise alongside Downey Jr., also commented: “No words. Just tears and gratitude for the gift that was him.”
Jeremy Renner, another of the Marvel stars, commented: “Wow. Brother. What a devastating loss.”
Rich, his assistant and friend, was named in a 2014 Vanity Fair profile of Downey Jr.; which focused on the actor’s journey through addiction and recovery. He was such a huge part of Downey Jr’s life that the article called him his “do-everything man”. May his soul rest in peace.
