Even an Oscar-winning actor like Rami Malek has his share of fanboy moments, and one such memorable incident unfolded when Robert Downey Jr. reached out to him via email, leaving Malek initially convinced it was all a prank.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show Revelation: In a delightful segment on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in January 2020, Robert Downey Jr. took the hosting reins and interviewed his co-star Rami Malek. The two actors had collaborated in films such as Dolittle and Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster Oppenheimer.
RDJ’s Fan Appreciation: Downey began the conversation by expressing his admiration for Malek’s work, particularly citing Mr. Robot. He shared, “I was such a fan of Mr. Robot; I basically emailed you, and I was serial texting you, and I was trying to FaceTime you, and you didn’t let me weird you out, and now we’re friends.” Downey’s genuine appreciation for Malek set the stage for a delightful exchange.
Malek’s Prankster Skepticism: Malek, overwhelmed by the unexpected attention from the iconic Iron Man actor, initially couldn’t believe that it was indeed Robert Downey Jr. reaching out to him. He revealed on the show, “I couldn’t even believe it was you. For a second, I got the email from Robert, and I thought, ‘Okay, somebody’s playing tricks on me.’ And then they kept coming, and they were so witty.”
RDJ’s Playful Admission: In response to Malek’s skepticism, Downey playfully admitted, “I hired writers,” adding a humorous touch to the unfolding situation. Malek, despite the witty responses, continued to question the authenticity of the emails, thinking it might be an elaborate prank.
From Doubt to Acceptance: Malek recounted, “It got to the point where I thought it could be no one else but you.” The persistence and wit in the emails ultimately convinced Malek that it was indeed Robert Downey Jr. reaching out to him, marking the beginning of an unexpected friendship between the two acclaimed actors.
This amusing revelation showcases the human side of even the most celebrated stars, as Rami Malek, initially bewildered, came to realize that the legendary Robert Downey Jr. was, in fact, extending a hand of friendship through a series of cleverly crafted emails.