Johnny Depp Praises His ‘Dear, Brilliant Friend’ Robert Downey Jr.’s Broadway Debut as ‘Outstanding’

Johnny Depp was in New York City for the opening of his own art exhibit ‘A Bunch of Stuff’

Johnny Depp attends the opening of his experiential and immersive exhibition A Bunch of Stuff; Robert Downey Jr. attend "McNeal" opening night at Lincoln Center Theater starring Robert Downey Jr.


Johnny Depp; Robert Downey Jr. 

Johnny Depp is a big fan of Robert Downey Jr.’s Broadway debut.

Depp, 61, shared on Instagram Thursday, Oct. 3, that he attended a performance of Downey’s new play McNeal at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre.

“Most fortunate to witness my dear, brilliant friend Bob Downey and the superb cast of ‘McNeal’ last night at @lctheater. Outstanding! Go see it if you can!!!” wrote Depp.

The Pirates of the Caribbean actor was in New York City for the opening of his own immersive and experiential art exhibit titled A Bunch of Stuff this week.

Johnny Depp attends the 'Modi, Three Days On The Wings Of Madness' photocall during the 72nd San Sebastian International Film Festival


Johnny Depp on Sept. 24, 2024.

He said in a previous statement, “Through the magic and madness of life, art has been my sanctuary.

These pieces, born of different stages of my journey are a residue of a life lived.

Creation is not always a comfortable process, but for me it’s a necessary one.”

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Oscar-winner Downey confirmed in May that he would make his Broadway debut this fall for a strictly limited engagement.

He wrote on Instagram at the time, “It’s been 40 years since I was last on ‘the boards,’ but hopefully I’ll knock the dust off quick.

McNeal is a timely and important story about the future of creatives, and I intend to do it justice.”

Saisha Talwar, Rafi Gavron, Melora Hardin, Robert Downey Jr., Andrea Martin, Brittany Bellizeare, and Ruthie Ann Miles pose onstage at "McNeal" opening night


Melora Hardin, Robert Downey Jr. and Andrea Martin on ‘McNeal’ opening night Sept. 30, 2024.

In the play, the Iron Man actor plays Jacob McNeal, who is “one of our greatest” writers and a “perpetual candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature,” per a synopsis, which adds, “But, McNeal also has an estranged son, a new novel, old axes to grind and an unhealthy fascination with artificial intelligence.”

Other figures who have seen McNeal this week include Woody Allen and his wife Soon-Yi Previn, Jason Bateman, Justin Theroux, Will Arnett, Paul Rudd and Matt Damon.

Tickets to McNeal are now on sale. The play is currently set for a limited engagement through Nov. 24.