Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Born

October 6, 1952 (age 73)

Place of Birth

Berkeley, California, USA

Also Known As

James Downey

IMDb

Jim Downey

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."

Known For

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Self - Guest

2014

Film

One Battle After Another

Sandy Irvine

2025

30 Rock

Downey

2006

Saturday Night Live

Self - Cameo (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Football Player (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Celebrity (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Burger Master Customer (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Various (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Hugh (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Guard / Patron / Extra / Moonie (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Self (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Contestant (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Reporter (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Guest (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Priest (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Tatum O'Neal's Uncle (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Yakov / Officer (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Spectator (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Knight of Columbus (uncredited)

1975

Saturday Night Live

Guard (uncredited)

1975

Filmography

2025FilmDowney Wrote Thatas Self 2025FilmThe Chair Companyas Douglas 2025TVThe Chair Companyas Douglas 2025FilmOne Battle After Anotheras Sandy Irvine 2025FilmHappy Gilmore 2as Championship Tour Starter 2025FilmSNL50: The Homecoming Concertas Self 2025TVSNL50: Beyond Saturday Nightas Self 2023TVWhite House Plumbersas Spencer Oliver 2015FilmLive from New York!as Self 2014TVThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonas Self - Guest 2012TVVeepas Jim Caldwell 2010FilmSaturday Nightas Self 2007FilmThere Will Be Bloodas Al Rose 2007FilmSaturday Night Live in the '90s: Pop Culture Nationas Self 2006TV30 Rockas Downey 2005FilmLive from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Liveas Self 2000TVCurb Your Enthusiasmas Board Member #1 1999FilmSaturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Specialas Self 1998FilmDirty Workas Martin / Homeless Guy 1995FilmThe Little Patriotas Adjutant 1995FilmBilly Madisonas Principal 1993FilmWayne's World 2as Jeff Wong (voice, uncredited)1989FilmSaturday Night Live: 15th Anniversaryas Self 1988FilmBum Rapas Steg 1984TVKate & Allie 1981FilmSteve Martin's Best Show Ever 1975TVSaturday Night Liveas Self - Cameo (uncredited)