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

Saturday Night Live

All Movies (18)

Lorne2026 · as Self / Irwin Segelstein (voice)
Downey Wrote That2025 · as Self
One Battle After Another2025 · as Sandy Irvine
Happy Gilmore 22025 · as Championship Tour Starter
SNL50: The Homecoming Concert2025 · as Self
Live from New York!2015 · as Self
Saturday Night2010 · as Self
There Will Be Blood2007 · as Al Rose
Saturday Night Live in the '90s: Pop Culture Nation2007 · as Self
Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live2005 · as Self
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special1999 · as Self
Dirty Work1998 · as Martin / Homeless Guy
The Little Patriot1995 · as Adjutant
Billy Madison1995 · as Principal
Wayne's World 21993 · as Jeff Wong (voice, uncredited)
Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary1989 · as Self
Bum Rap1988 · as Steg
Steve Martin's Best Show Ever1981

All TV Shows (64)

The Chair Company2025 · as Douglas
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night2025 · as Self
White House Plumbers2023 · as Spencer Oliver
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon2014 · as Self - Guest
Veep2012 · as Jim Caldwell
30 Rock2006 · as Downey
Curb Your Enthusiasm2000 · as Board Member #1
Kate & Allie1984
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Football Player (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Celebrity (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Burger Master Customer (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Various (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Hugh (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Guard / Patron / Extra / Moonie (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Contestant (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Reporter (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Guest (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Priest (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Tatum O'Neal's Uncle (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Yakov / Officer (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Spectator (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Knight of Columbus (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Guard (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Tourist (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Student (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Cleaner / Craig / Soldier (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Dave Powers (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Brundidge Bailey (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Son / Soldier (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Shepherd (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Caller (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Craig / Juror (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Juror (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Store Clerk (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Referee (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Reporter / Sherlock Holmes (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Makeup Artist (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Convention Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Hercules (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Paul McElroy (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Sketch Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Word Busters Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Sheriff (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Parent (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Arthur Kent (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as C-Span announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as C-SPAN Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Victor Devereaux (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Audience Member (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Arthur Grayson (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Audience Member / Arthur Grayson (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self - Various Characters
Saturday Night Live1975 · as The Cheese Game Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Lawyer in Audience (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Big N' Tasty Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Global Century Investments Audience Member (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Chile Delegate Translator (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Reporter (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Translator (voice) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live1975 · as Grayson Moorhead (uncredited)