Born 1952 (age 73) · Berkeley, California, USA
Appears in 29 titles

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."

Filmography

There Will Be Blood
8.1
There Will Be Blood
2007
as Al Rose
One Battle After Another
7.4
One Battle After Another
2025
as Sandy Irvine
Billy Madison
6.2
Billy Madison
1995
as Principal
Wayne's World 2
6.1
Wayne's World 2
1993
as Jeff Wong (voice, uncredited)
Happy Gilmore 2
6.6
Happy Gilmore 2
2025
as Championship Tour Starter
Dirty Work
6.2
Dirty Work
1998
as Martin / Homeless Guy
Live from New York!
5.9
Live from New York!
2015
as Self
Saturday Night
7.9
Saturday Night
2010
as Self
SNL50: The Homecoming Concert
Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary
Steve Martin's Best Show Ever
Bum Rap
4.3
Bum Rap
1988
as Steg
Lorne
5.8
Lorne
2026
as Self / Irwin Segelstein (voice)
The Little Patriot
6.5
The Little Patriot
1995
as Adjutant
Downey Wrote That
Downey Wrote That
2025
as Self