AceShowbiz -

Christmas comes earlier for Robert Downey Jr. On Thursday, Christmas Eve, California Governor Jerry Brown has pardoned the 50-year-old actor for his '90s drug and weapon convictions.

Downey Jr. was one of the 91 people whom the governor granted clemency for past crimes. Many of them served time for minor substance abuse offense and non-violent cases. According to the press release, all of the recipients have gone more than a decade without further criminal issues and "have demonstrated exemplary behavior and have lived productive and law-abiding lives."

The "Iron Man" star had a history of drugs abuse. He was sentenced for possession of a controlled substance in November 1996 after police found him driving under influence and carrying a gun, cocaine and heroin in his car. He served 15 months behind bars, completed his sentence in 2002, had two years and eight months of probation before making a successful career comeback.

Downey Jr. applied for a pardon in relation to his drug charges, attaching a court-issued Certificate of Rehabilitation. The notes describe how since Downey's "release from custody, he has lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character, and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen." It further added that Downey "has paid his debt to society and earned a full and unconditional pardon."

The pardon does not wipe a criminal record but restores citizenship rights. "Pardons are not granted unless they are earned," the governor's office said in a written statement.