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."
2026LorneMovieas Self / Irwin Segelstein (voice)
2025Downey Wrote ThatMovieas Self2025The Chair CompanyTV showas Douglas · 6 episodes2025One Battle After AnotherMovieas Sandy Irvine2025Happy Gilmore 2Movieas Championship Tour Starter2025SNL50: The Homecoming ConcertMovieas Self
2025SNL50: Beyond Saturday NightTV showas Self · 2 episodes2023White House PlumbersTV showas Spencer Oliver · 1 episodes2015Live from New York!Movieas Self2014The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonTV showas Self - Guest · 1 episodes2012VeepTV showas Jim Caldwell · 1 episodes2010Saturday NightMovieas Self2007There Will Be BloodMovieas Al Rose
2007Saturday Night Live in the '90s: Pop Culture NationMovieas Self200630 RockTV showas Downey · 1 episodes2005Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night LiveMovieas Self2000Curb Your EnthusiasmTV showas Board Member #1 · 1 episodes1999Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary SpecialMovieas Self1998Dirty WorkMovieas Martin / Homeless Guy
1998Saturday Night Live: The Best of Phil HartmanMovieProducer · Writer
1995The Little PatriotMovieas Adjutant1995Billy MadisonMovieas Principal1993Wayne's World 2Movieas Jeff Wong (voice, uncredited)
1989Saturday Night Live: 15th AnniversaryMovieas Self · Writer
1988Bum RapMovieas Steg1984Kate & AllieTV show1 episodes
1982Late Night with David LettermanTV showWriter · 1,377 episodes
1981Steve Martin's Best Show EverMovieWriter1975Saturday Night LiveTV showas Football Player (uncredited) · as Celebrity (uncredited) · as Burger Master Customer (uncredited) · as Various (uncredited) · as Hugh (uncredited) · as Guard / Patron / Extra / Moonie (uncredited) · as Self (uncredited) · as Contestant (uncredited) · as Reporter (uncredited) · as Guest (uncredited) · as Priest (uncredited) · as Tatum O'Neal's Uncle (uncredited) · as Yakov / Officer (uncredited) · as Spectator (uncredited) · as Knight of Columbus (uncredited) · as Guard (uncredited) · as Tourist (uncredited) · as Student (uncredited) · as Cleaner / Craig / Soldier (uncredited) · as Dave Powers (uncredited) · as Brundidge Bailey (uncredited) · as Son / Soldier (uncredited) · as Shepherd (uncredited) · as Caller (voice) (uncredited) · as Craig / Juror (uncredited) · as Juror (uncredited) · as Store Clerk (uncredited) · as Referee (uncredited) · as Reporter / Sherlock Holmes (uncredited) · as Makeup Artist (uncredited) · as Convention Announcer (voice) (uncredited) · as Hercules (voice) (uncredited) · as Paul McElroy (uncredited) · as Sketch Announcer (voice) (uncredited) · as Word Busters Announcer (voice) (uncredited) · as Sheriff (uncredited) · as Parent (uncredited) · as Arthur Kent (voice) (uncredited) · as C-Span announcer (voice) (uncredited) · as C-SPAN Announcer (voice) (uncredited) · as Victor Devereaux (voice) (uncredited) · as Audience Member (uncredited) · as Announcer (voice) (uncredited) · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited) · as Arthur Grayson (uncredited) · as Audience Member / Arthur Grayson (uncredited) · as Self - Various Characters · as The Cheese Game Announcer (voice) (uncredited) · as Lawyer in Audience (uncredited) · as Big N' Tasty Announcer (voice) (uncredited) · as Global Century Investments Audience Member (uncredited) · as Chile Delegate Translator (uncredited) · as Reporter (voice) (uncredited) · as Translator (voice) (uncredited) · as Grayson Moorhead (uncredited) · as Ben Samberg (uncredited) · as Audience Member With Question (uncredited) · as C-Span Announcer (voice) (uncredited) · as New York Times Narrator (voice) (uncredited) · Writer · Producer · 548 episodes