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Biography
James Woodward Downey (born 1952) is an American comedy writer, producer and actor. Downey wrote for over 30 seasons of Saturday Night Live, making him the longest tenured writer in the show's history. SNL creator Lorne Michaels called Downey the "best political humorist alive" while Conan O'Brien said he is "the great comedy writer that we all revere."
Awards & recognition
- Primetime Emmy Award
Filmography18 titles
There Will Be Blood
2007as Al Rose
2007as Al Rose
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
2025as Self
2025as Self
Curb Your Enthusiasm
2000as Board Member #1
2000as Board Member #1
Veep
2012as Jim Caldwell
2012as Jim Caldwell
30 Rock
2006as Downey
2006as Downey
One Battle After Another
2025as Sandy Irvine
2025as Sandy Irvine
Lorne
2026as Self / Irwin Segelstein (voice)
2026as Self / Irwin Segelstein (voice)
Downey Wrote That
2025as Self
2025as Self
The Chair Company
2025as Douglas
2025as Douglas
Saturday Night Live
1975as Audience Member / Arthur Grayson (uncredited)
1975as Audience Member / Arthur Grayson (uncredited)
Happy Gilmore 2
2025as Championship Tour Starter
2025as Championship Tour Starter
SNL50: The Homecoming Concert
2025as Self
2025as Self
White House Plumbers
2023as Spencer Oliver
2023as Spencer Oliver
Dirty Work
1998as Martin / Homeless Guy
1998as Martin / Homeless Guy
Billy Madison
1995as Principal
1995as Principal
Wayne's World 2
1993as Jeff Wong (voice, uncredited)
1993as Jeff Wong (voice, uncredited)
Kate & Allie
1984
1984
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014as Self - Guest
2014as Self - Guest