Actor Robert Downey Junior has been pardoned by Callifornia Governor Jerry Brown. It was one of 91 pardons granted by the governor.

Downey’s pardon was for his drug conviction in 1999 that resulted in him serving about a year in jail.

The pardon specifies that the “Iron Man” star has stayed out of trouble and that he has shown exemplary behaviour, but it doesn’t actually erase his conviction.

He can, however, vote again.

Downey was convicted after police stopped him for speeding and found a pistol, heroin and cocaine in his car.

Governor Brown’s pardons went to people who had turned their lives around and had been out of curtody for 10 years.

His proclamation stated that Downey “lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character, and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen”.