Jim Downey Bio | Wiki
Jim Downey ( Full Name: James Woodward Downey) is a popular American comedy writer and occasional actor who wrote for over 30 seasons of Saturday Night Live, making him the longest-serving writer in the show’s history. SNL creator Lorne Michaels called Jim the “best political humorist alive”. In 2013, Jim retired from Saturday Night Live after the end of the 38th season following working part-time, commuting from Upstate New York.
Although Jim was only a credited actor on Saturday Night Live for one season, he appeared in over 40 sketches from 1977 until 2005, his most notable being parody commercials such as Craig’s Travellers Checks, First CityWide Change Bank, and Grayson Moorhead Securities. In 2007, Jim appeared in a Digital Short titled Andy’s Dad, where he played the father of cast member Andy Samberg, and had a romantic relationship with guest star Jonah Hill.
Jim Downey Age
Jim was born on October 6, 1952, in Berkeley, CA, in the United States. He is 71 years old. Jim celebrates his birthday on October 6, every year.
Jim Downey Height
He is a man of above-average stature. Jim stands at a height of 5 ft 9 in ( Approx. 1.75m ).
Jim Downey Family
He was born in Berkeley, CA, and raised in Joliet, Illinois. Jim is the son of Betty McLoughlin and Robert Elias. He is not the only child of his parents, as he grew up with his elder brother, the late Robert Downey Sr. He also has a sister named Nancy Connor. His late Robert Downey was a famous American actor and filmmaker who died at 85. Additionally, Jim is the uncle of famous American actor Robert Downey Jr. His father worked in the management of motels and restaurants. Jim’s paternal grandparents were Lithuanian Jews, while his mother was of half-Hungarian Jewish and half-Irish ancestry.
Jim Downey Wife
Jim is divorced from Linda Downey. The dynamics of their marital life, which led to divorce are unknown.
Jim Downey Education
Following graduating from Joliet Catholic High School, Jim entered Harvard University, where he wrote for the Harvard Lampoon and later became its president. Jil graduated from Harvard in 1974 with a degree in Russian.
Jim Downey Snl | Saturday Night Live
In 1976, Jim joined the Saturday Night Live writing staff as its youngest member. Jim was among the first Harvard Lampoon writers to write for television; writer Steve O’Donnell said “The proliferation of cable and the proliferation of comedy [led] the sensibilities of the Lampoon [to become] a little closer to the sensibilities of the mass media.” Simpsons writer Mike Reiss called Jim “patient zero” of Lampoon comedy writers. Jim ultimately served on 27 of the show’s first 32 seasons, one of the longest tenures in the show’s history.
Jim arrived at Saturday Night Live the same week as Bill Murray with whom he ended up sharing an office overlooking 50th Street, but he mostly started writing at SNL with Al Franken, Tom Davis, and Dan Aykroyd. Jim’s debut stretch as writer for the show ran from 1976 until 1980, culminating in a brief stint as a featured cast member. He left the show in 1980 as part of the mass exodus of writers and actors following Lorne Michaels’ departure. He returned to the show in 2000. Jim continued to write for the show until 2013, pausing only in 2005 to work on a novel. In 2013, Jim retired from Saturday Night Live after the end of the 38th season after working part-time, commuting from Upstate New York.
Jim Downey Young
Jim was born in Berkeley, CA, and raised in Joliet, Illinois. He has two siblings. He changed his surname to Downey after his stepfather.
Jim Downey Robert Downey Jr
Jim is the uncle of famous American actor Robert Downey Jr.. In 2008, Robert was named by Time magazine among the 100 most influential people in the world, and from 2013 to 2015, he was listed by Forbes as Hollywood’s highest-paid actor.
Jim Downey There Will Be Blood
He had a bit part in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2007 film There Will Be Blood, where Jim plays Al Rose, Little Boston’s real estate broker. Anderson’s YouTube channel is Al Rose Promotions, a nod to Jim’s role.
Jim Downey Billy Madison
In movies, Jim is probably best remembered for playing the high school principal who judges the “academic decathlon” in Billy Madison. Jim’s brief role in Billy Madison’s film included a famous monologue in which he insults the title character, played by Adam Sandler, concluding with the sentence “I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.” The phrase was based on a response Downey often gave to SNL cast member (and fellow Billy Madison cast member) Chris Farley in the SNL writers’ room when Chris presented certain ideas.
Jim Downey Movies
– The Brain Machine (1977) as T.V. Announcer
– Bum Rap (1988) as Steg
– Wayne’s World 2 (1993) as Jeff Wong (voice)
– Billy Madison (1995) as Principal
– The Little Patriot (1995) as Adjutant
– Dirty Work (1998) as Martin, Homeless Guy
– There Will Be Blood (2007) as Al Rose
Jim Downey Documentary
His documentary titled “Downey Wrote That” explores his sketches, contributions, and enduring influence. Jim is one of the most impactful comedy writers in the history of “Saturday Night Live.” This documentary is produced by Network Entertainment in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio, and Broadway Video. Lorne Michaels works as executive producer. Erin David, Howard Klein, Osmany Rodriguez, Andy Breckman, and Susan Morrison also work as executive producers.
Jim Downey Comedian
He is a comedy writer whose comedic targets have included American politicians across the political spectrum. TV critic Tom Shales, author of the book Live from New York: The Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, called Jim, and SNL, an “equal opportunity slasher” in political comedy.
Jim Downey Book
On May 4, 2021, Jim published his book titled Brainstorms and Mindfarts: The Best and Brightest, Dumbest and Dimmest Inventions in American History. The book is a collection of American inventions that will help you discover successful and significant ideas—together with the frivolous and utterly useless ones lost to history.
Jim Downey Interview
During a 2023 interview with comedian and late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien on O’Brien’s podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, on former US President Donald Trump Jim said, “Personally I just fucking loathe Trump as a human being.”
Jim Downey Books
– Brainstorms and Mindfarts: The Best and Brightest, Dumbest and Dimmest Inventions in American History (2021)
– President Trump: Parody (2016)
– Indian Take-Away: Offshore Outsourcing for Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (2005)
– Martha, Really and Cruelly: The Complete Unauthorized Autobiography (2003)
– Zeguts: Ridiculous Restaurants (1997)
– Smyth and Hawk’em (1997)
– Brief Therapeutic Consultations: An Approach to Systemic Counselling (1996)
Jim Downey White House Plumbers
He appeared as Spencer Oliver in the satirical political drama television miniseries White House Plumbers which premiered on HBO on May 1, 2023.
Jim Downey On Norm Macdonald
He starred in the Norm Macdonald movie Dirty Work as a person experiencing homelessness.
Jim Downey Net Worth
Jim gets his wealth from his work as a comedy writer and occasional actor who wrote for over 30 seasons of Saturday Night Live. Therefore, Jim has accumulated a decent fortune over the years. Jim’s net worth is $5 million.
How Old Is Jim Downey
Jim is a 71-year-old who was born on October 6, 1952, in Berkeley, CA, in the United States. Jim celebrates his birthday on October 6, every year.
How Tall Is Jim Downey
Jim is a man of above-average stature who stands at a height of 5 ft 9 in ( Approx. 1.75m ).
Who Is Jim Downey
He is one of the most long-standing writers of Saturday Night Live, writing 30 seasons between 1977 and 2013; he worked as head writer from season 11 to season 20. Jim joined SNL in the second half of season 2 and was one of many writers promoted to the new featured players cast category when it was created for season 5. When Lorne Michaels quit as producer at the end of that season, Jim left as well, and shortly thereafter became head writer for Late Night alongside David Letterman when the show was created.