Robert Downey Jr. once presented a 3D-printed bionic limb to a 7-year-old boy born with a partially developed right arm. He shared a heartwarming video of this event on his social media, where he meets up with the boy, Alex, as Tony Stark.

While Alex recognized him as “Robert”, Downey Jr. stayed in character to help him try on his bionic limb modeled after Iron Man. Over the years, fans have come to recognize that Downey Jr. is not just a great on-screen hero but a real-life hero, too.

Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man

Albert Manero, a student at the University of Central Florida, built this low-cost artificial limb in partnership with the charity organization Limbitless Solutions. Manero donated the bionic limbs to kids as part of Microsoft One Note’s #CollectiveProject.

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Robert Downey Jr.’s Heartwarming Gesture Towards A 7-Year-Old Boy Wins Over FansRobert Downey Jr. with Alex

The video shared by Robert Downey Jr. introduces Alex as an endearing little boy who loves superheroes and enjoys riding his bike. UCF student Albert Manero wants to help Alex with a bionic limb he built, but he also needs someone to support him as part of the #CollectiveProject. Enter a ‘leading bionics expert’ who can help Manero in helping Alex.

Downey Jr. surprises Alex in the Tony Stark persona. Alex, a remarkably mature boy for his age, recognizes who he is meeting but contains his excitement. They exchange pleasantries, and the Sherlock Holmes actor shows Alex the 3D-printed bionic limb modeled after Iron Man, alongside his Iron Man armor from the films.

Downey Jr. invites Alex to try on the limbs together. As Alex puts on the bionic limb, experiencing the functionality of his right arm for the first time, Downey Jr. helps him ease into the feeling by putting on his Iron Man armor. The Avengers actor compares both of their robotic limbs and tells the young boy, “I think yours might be better than mine”.

Honored to present a bionic #IronMan arm to Alex through @MSOneNote’s #CollectiveProject. Check the bowtie. #dapperhttps://t.co/lhLG5g1RP8

— Robert Downey Jr (@RobertDowneyJr) March 12, 2015

The Chaplin actor wrote in the captions of his Facebook post that Alex was “the most dapper 7-year-old” he had ever met. He also thanked and appreciated the efforts of Manero, Microsoft One Note’s #CollectiveProject, and Limbitless Solutions.

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Robert Downey Jr. Is A Real Life SuperheroRobert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame

Robert Downey Jr. left a struggling past behind before embracing the mantle of a superhero. Since then, he has dedicated himself to working for the betterment of mankind. Downey Jr. actively supports and donates to several charities and NGOs such as Clothes Off Your Back, Orca Network, ALS Association, Cancer Research Institute, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and others.

The Dolittle actor once flew to Scotland to meet an 8-year-old fan with a terminal illness. He later asked fans to donate just $10 to fund the research about the disease that the fan, Aaron, was suffering from. In a Reader’s Digest article, a fan, Dana Reinhardt, recalled how Downey Jr. helped her 80-year-old grandma, who was injured during a garden party in the early ‘90s.

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In 2020, the Due Date actor founded the Foot Print Coalition, an initiative designed to use technology to promote a clean environment. It also acts as an investment group that uses the platforms of celebrities to spread awareness and direct funds to other environmental groups.