CULVER CITY, Calif., April 24 — The actor Robert Downey Jr. was arrested on
drug charges about midnight Monday and as a result was fired today from the
television show "Ally McBeal."

The arrest was the latest for the actor, whose career has been derailed
several times by drug rehabilitation and prison time.

Mr. Downey, 36, was on foot in Culver City, near southwest Los Angeles,
when he was arrested, the police said. They gave no other details.

Mr. Downey, of Malibu, must appear in court on May 4.

David E. Kelley, the producer of "Ally McBeal," said today that he had
scuttled plans to feature Mr. Downey in several more episodes.

Mr. Downey's role on the series won him a Golden Globe Award in January.