James Downey

James Downey

Acting

Born October 6, 1952 (age 73)

Berkeley, California, USA

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

Lorne
Movie
Lorne2026 · Self / Irwin Segelstein (voice)
Downey Wrote That
Movie
Downey Wrote That2025 · Self
The Chair Company
Series
The Chair Company2025 · Douglas
One Battle After Another
Movie
One Battle After Another2025 · Sandy Irvine
Happy Gilmore 2
Movie
Happy Gilmore 22025 · Championship Tour Starter
SNL50: The Homecoming Concert
Movie
SNL50: The Homecoming Concert2025 · Self
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
★ 8.1Series
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night2025 · Self
White House Plumbers
Series
White House Plumbers2023 · Spencer Oliver
Live from New York!
Movie
Live from New York!2015 · Self
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon2014 · Self - Guest
Veep
Series
Veep2012 · Jim Caldwell
Saturday Night
Movie
Saturday Night2010 · Self
There Will Be Blood
Movie
There Will Be Blood2007 · Al Rose
Saturday Night Live in the '90s: Pop Culture Nation
Movie
Saturday Night Live in the '90s: Pop Culture Nation2007 · Self
30 Rock
Series
30 Rock2006 · Downey
Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live
Movie
Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live2005 · Self
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Series
Curb Your Enthusiasm2000 · Board Member #1
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special
Movie
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special1999 · Self
Dirty Work
Movie
Dirty Work1998 · Martin / Homeless Guy
The Little Patriot
Movie
The Little Patriot1995 · Adjutant
Billy Madison
Movie
Billy Madison1995 · Principal
Wayne's World 2
Movie
Wayne's World 21993 · Jeff Wong (voice, uncredited)
Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary
Movie
Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary1989 · Self
Bum Rap
Movie
Bum Rap1988 · Steg
Kate & Allie
Series
Kate & Allie1984
Steve Martin's Best Show Ever
Movie
Steve Martin's Best Show Ever1981
Saturday Night Live
Series
Saturday Night Live1975 · Football Player (uncredited)