One Small Town, Two Renowned Sherlock Holmes Actors
Both Robert Downey Jr. and William Gillette Called East Haddam Home
If you live in Connecticut, you probably know something about the actor/playwright William Gillette. Born in 1853 in Hartford, Gillette achieved worldwide fame and fortune at the turn of the 20th Century, primarily through his iconic stage portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle’s popular fictional British detective Sherlock Holmes. He first played the character in 1899 and went on to play him more than 1,300 times on stage and in a 1916 silent film.
IN 19TK, Gillette moved to East Haddam and designed and built his medieval-style castle retirement home on a hill overlooking the CT River. It was completed in 1919 at a cost of $1.1 million, the equivalent of more than $21 million in today’s dollars. He later expanded the castle and added a quarter-scale railroad that traveled through the 122-acre property.
That architectural curiosity is likely why you know something about Gillette. After his death in 1937, the state bought the castle and its surrounding 184 acres, opening it to the public. Today Gillette Castle State Park is a popular destination for tourists and history enthusiasts, who come to see the eccentric structure surrounded by forest, walking trails and stunning views of the Connecticut River, and to learn something about Gillette’s life and interests.
What you may not know is that the town was also the home of modern-day international superstar Robert Downey Jr. Unlike Gillette who came here to build his retirement home, Downey came here as a child, attending Nathan Hale Elementary School in second, third and fourth grade while his avant-garde film director dad, Robert Downey Sr., secured financing from some of show business’s biggest names to make a weird stream-of-consciousness film about drug smuggling.
But then it gets even more quirky. Both famously played the same character, Sherlock Holmes, albeit nearly a century apart. After an early 20th century career as an actor and playwright, William Gillette spent his retirement years here, building his dream castle on the river, while Hollywood superstar Robert Downey, Jr. spent several childhood years here, attending Nathan Hale Elementary School,
Sherlock Holmes, the iconic detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, has captivated audiences for more than a century. Among the many actors who have portrayed the fictional British detective, two stand out for their distinct yet equally compelling portrayals: William Gillette and Robert Downey Jr..
The Trailblazer: William Gillette
Gillette's pioneering portrayal laid the foundation for the character's future, while Downey's innovative interpretation revitalized Holmes for the modern era.
William Gillette, born in 1853, is often credited with shaping the modern image of Sherlock Holmes. He was an accomplished American actor, playwright, and stage manager, best known for his portrayal of Holmes in the early 20th century. Gillette's first performance as the detective was in 1899, and he went on to play the character over 1,300 times on stage and in a silent film.
William Gillette, left in 1916, invented the iconic elements we associate with Sherlock Holmes — The hat, pipe, attitude. Robert Downey, Jr., in 2009, took his screen characterization to a whole other level. volutpat nullam; tempor massa malesuadattis. Viverra felis euismod elementum nec venenatis.
Mrs. Ridell's third grade class (1973-1974).
Mrs. Louise Pear's fourth grade glass (1974-1975). Robert Downey Jr. is circled in all the class pictures.
Mrs. Cooper's fifth grade,class (1975-1976). Class pictures compliments of Glenn Sherman.
Gillette's pioneering portrayal laid the foundation for the character's future, while Downey's innovative interpretation revitalized Holmes for the modern era.
William Gillette, born in 1853, is often credited with shaping the modern image of Sherlock Holmes. He was an accomplished American actor, playwright, and stage manager, best known for his portrayal of Holmes in the early 20th century. Gillette's first performance as the detective was in 1899, and he went on to play the character over 1,300 times on stage and in a silent film.
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Robert Downey Jr's history of drug addiction began in East Haddam, where he smoked his first joint.
In 2006, during his appearance on "Inside the Actors Studio," Robert Downey Jr. mentioned that at "probably 8, 9, 10," he smoked his first joint while "swinging in a hammock in East Haddam."
Fast forward to the 21st century, and we find Robert Downey Jr., an actor known for his versatility and charisma, stepping into Holmes's shoes. Downey's portrayal of the detective in the Guy Ritchie-directed films "Sherlock Holmes" (2009) and "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" (2011) brought a fresh and dynamic energy to the character.
Downey's Holmes is eccentric, physically agile, and deeply flawed—qualities that make him both relatable and riveting. His interpretation emphasizes Holmes's brilliance and his struggles with personal demons, adding layers of complexity to the character. Downey's quick wit, coupled with his physicality in action-packed sequences, breathed new life into the detective, making Holmes accessible to a new generation
This 1916 film, SHELOCK HOLMES, is based on the four-act play of the same name by William Gillette, which he had been performing for several years prior to the film's release by the Chicago Essanay studio. In 2015, the Cinematheque Francaise collaborated with the San Francisco Silent Film Festival to restore the only known surviving copy of the film. This restoration has new music, English subtitles, and color tinting to match the original.
Robert Downey Jr. co-starred with Jude Law in the 2009 film HOLMES, the first of three films with Downey playing the British detective.
Hollywood Money, a Town Connection, and Robert Downey Sr's Wild Movie
'Two Tons of Turquoise to Taos Tonight' Straight Outta East Haddam
Based on the signed legal filings recorded with the East Haddam town clerk in August 1976, Robert Downey Sr. raised a total of $250,000 for "Two Tons of Turquoise to Taos Tonight" from 46 individual and institutional investors for The Compliments Company, which was the partnership behind the film.. The documents show that these investors collectively received 49.99999999999999% of the profit shares, effectively 50%, with the remaining 50% retained by Downey.
This group includes a fascinating mix of Hollywood legends, independent investors, and figures from theater, technology, and business. Their backing of Robert Downey Sr.’s film reflects the era’s experimental spirit and the trust they placed in his unconventional vision.
Robert Downey, Sr. discusses with filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson what just might be Downey's strangest film (and that's saying a lot), "Two Tons of Turquiose to Taos Tonight." While living in East Haddam in the early1970s, Downey raised $250,000 to make the film. The conversation was recorded in 2012 for The Criterion Channel.
The top investor was businessman Herbert Lutz, who contributed $50,000, receiving 10% of profits. Notable contributors included: iconic TV producer Norman Lear – $10,000 (2%), Hollywood producer/director and Lear's partner Bud Yorkin – $10,000 (2%), actor Jack Nicholson – $5,000 (1%), acclaimed director Hal Ashby – $5,000 (1%), famed theater producer Joseph Papp – $3,000 (0.6%), and legendary cinematographer Haskell Wexler – $7,500 (1.5%), Many others gave $2,500–$5,000 for half to one percent shares. The National Endowment for the Arts also contributed a $10,000 grant.
Photo of Gillette's Castle by
Nick Ward Photography