Robert Downey Jr. meets up with ex Sarah Jessica Parker in New York City

Robert Downey Jr. and Sarah Jessica Parker metup recently in New York City, with Robert saying “everything he wanted to say”to his former flame after splitting 24 years ago. The two seriously dated from1984 to 1991, at the start of their careers, but Robert has admitted in thepast that his drinking and drug problems led to their breakup.

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In an appearance on Howard Stern’s SiriusFM radio show on Tuesday, the star mentioned that the last time he was in NewYork, he met Sarah at her apartment and went to dinner at a tapas place down thestreet.

"Private stuff aside, we were able to spend some time together and it was really cool," he told Howard. "I went over to her place and then we went down the street... You know, the funny thing too, is you always have a perception of somebody that you spent a big chunk of your life with, and I think it's typical to humans to think that the further you get away from that in your new relationship, you taint your perception of the person."

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Sarah's friend joined them for the meal. "I said everything I wanted tosay," he explained to Howard. "It's a little bit stilted but then there's this familiaritythat overtakes it, and you realize you're just in the presence of this fullymature mother and woman and artist and human being. There's enough good willleft over, you didn't burn that bridge.”

Robert is now happily married to producerSusan Levin with whom he has a 3-year-old son and a 6-month-old daughter. He wasfull of admiration for Sarah’s husband, Matthew Broderick, who he didn’t get tosee during his visit. Sarah and Matthew married in 1997 and have three childrentogether.

“I would love to have seen him,” Robert saidof Matthew. “For my generation, particularly the New York theater guys, he wasthe beginning and ending of everything you ever could aspire to be.”

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Robert said that he may try and meet upwith his ex on this trip to the Big Apple as well, joking that he would callMatthew to ask his permission. The Sherlock Holmes star is in town to promotehis new film, Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Robert had previously taken responsibilityfor his breakup with Sarah in a 2008 interview with Parade magazine. "I liked to drink, and I had a drugproblem, and that didn't jibe with Sarah Jessica, because it is the furthestthing from what she is. She provided me a home and understanding. She tried tohelp me. She was so miffed when I didn't get my act together."

Glad to see both of them doing so well!