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James Downey Biography

Birth Name:James Downey

Profession Actor, Writer, Producer, Script department

Fast Facts

Received the Louis P․ and Evelyn Smith First Amendment Award in 2012
Attended Harvard University, where he graduated in 1974
Served as president of the satirical student newspaper The Harvard Lampoon
As a head writer for "Late Night with David Letterman," he created David Letterman's famed "Top Ten List" segment
Best known for creating political sketches for the series "Saturday Night Live․"
Had one of his sketches referenced by Hillary Clinton during the 2008 presidential debates
Was fired from "Saturday Night Live" for one season for writing too many jokes about O․J․ Simpson

Awards

1977Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series: winner
1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series: nominated
1979Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Comedy or Comedy-Variety or Music Series: nominated
1980Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1984Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1984Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1987Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program: winner
1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1992Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1993Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1993Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: winner
1994Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: winner
2002WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
2003WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2009WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety - (Including Talk) Series: winner
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2010WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety - (Including Talk) Series: winner
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2012WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special: nominated
2013WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2014WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2017WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety Sketch Series: winner
2023WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety Sketch Series: nominated
2025Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special: winner