Downey Jr 'humbled by homeless'

Robert Downey Jr has revealed that he was humbled while working with homeless people on his forthcoming film The Soloist.

The actor successfully turned his own life around nine years ago, quitting drugs after a court-ordered stay in rehab that followed numerous brushes with the law as well as one year in a California prison.

According to Contactmusic, the star said that he was confronted by memories of his old life when he visited Los Angeles' rundown Skid Row area to film scenes for the new drama.

He explained: "I've been that train wreck, and I've been that person next to that train wreck. It turned into this incredibly, wonderfully, humbling three months on Skid Row, which is probably exactly what I needed.

"I can't think of anyone who doesn't relate to the metaphor of derailment and just how awful and tragic that is."

As previously reported, Downey Jr was recently announced as the frontrunner to star in Steven Spielberg's upcoming Harvey remake.