Jim Downey Net Worth

Jim Downey is an American comedy writer and actor with an estimated net worth of $2 million. He is best known for his long and influential career as a writer on “Saturday Night Live,” where he worked for more than three decades, making him the longest-tenured writer in the show’s history.

Downey is widely respected for shaping SNL’s political satire, particularly through the “Weekend Update” segment, and for his collaborations with comedians such as Norm Macdonald, Dan Aykroyd, and Al Franken.

Early Life

Jim Downey was born in 1952 in Berkeley, California, and raised in Joliet, Illinois. He attended Joliet Catholic High School before enrolling at Harvard University.

While at Harvard, Downey became deeply involved in comedy writing. He wrote for the Harvard Lampoon and eventually served as its president, a role that has launched the careers of many prominent comedians and writers. Downey graduated in 1974 with a degree in Russian, an unusual academic background that later informed his sharp political humor.

Saturday Night Live Career

Downey joined “Saturday Night Live” in 1976, becoming the youngest writer on the newly launched late-night sketch comedy show. During his early years, he worked alongside writers such as Dan Aykroyd, Al Franken, and Tom Davis.

In the 1979–1980 season, following the departures of Aykroyd and John Belushi, Downey briefly became a featured cast member. However, he left the show after that season as part of a mass exit that followed creator Lorne Michaels’ departure.

Downey returned to SNL in 1984 under producer Dick Ebersol and was appointed head writer in 1985 when Michaels came back. He held that position until 1995, making him the longest-serving head writer in the show’s history.

After stepping down as head writer, Downey focused primarily on “Weekend Update,” working closely with Norm Macdonald. In 1998, both Downey and Macdonald were fired after repeated jokes about O.J. Simpson, which reportedly angered NBC executive Don Ohlmeyer.

Return to SNL

Downey returned to Saturday Night Live in 2000 and continued writing until 2013, with only a brief break between 2005 and 2006. In total, he wrote for more than 30 nonconsecutive seasons, a record unmatched in the show’s history.

One of his most enduring cultural contributions came in 2000, when he coined the satirical term “strategery” in a sketch parodying a presidential debate between George W. Bush and Al Gore. The word quickly entered political discourse and was later jokingly embraced by members of the Bush administration.

Downey officially retired from SNL after the show’s 38th season in 2013.

In addition to writing, he appeared in over 40 sketches between 1977 and 2007, including commercials and the digital short “Andy’s Dad,” where he played Andy Samberg’s father.

Other Television Work

Following his first departure from SNL, Downey became the head writer for “Late Night with David Letterman,” working on the show from 1982 to 1984.

He also wrote several episodes of “The New Show,” a short-lived sketch series produced by Lorne Michaels. Later, Downey appeared as Sam Phillips in three episodes of the CBS sitcom “Kate & Allie.”

In the 2010s, Downey returned to on-screen acting with guest roles on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “30 Rock,” and “Veep.” In 2020, he voiced Congressman Adam Schiff on Showtime’s animated political satire “Our Cartoon President.”

Film Appearances

Jim Downey has appeared in several notable films, often in scene-stealing supporting roles. He played the sarcastic high school principal in the 1995 Adam Sandler comedy “Billy Madison,” delivering one of the film’s most memorable monologues.

He later appeared as a homeless man in “Dirty Work” (1998), starring Norm Macdonald, and portrayed real estate broker Al Rose in Paul Thomas Anderson’s critically acclaimed drama “There Will Be Blood” (2007).

Jim Downey Net Worth

Jim Downey net worth is estimated to be $2 million.