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Paul W. Downs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the American actor. For the American playwright, seePaul Downs Colaizzo.

Paul W. Downs
Downs in 2018
Born(1982-11-21)November 21, 1982(age 41)[1]
New Jersey,U.S.[2]
Alma materDuke University
Occupations
  • Writer
  • actor
  • director
Years active2007–present
SpouseLucia Aniello
Children1[3]

Paul W. Downs(born November 21, 1982) is an American actor, writer, director, and producer. He is the co-creator, co-showrunner and one of the stars of the critically-acclaimedHBO MaxseriesHacks,for which he has received aPrimetime Emmy,Golden Globe,andPeabody Award,among others. Downs first gained attention for his role in theComedy CentralseriesBroad City,which ran for five seasons and for which he was also a writer, director and executive producer.

Career

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Downs has been creatingdigital shortswithLucia Aniellounder the moniker Paulilu since the pair met at theUpright Citizens Brigade.In 2012, they made aweb seriescalledPaulilu MixtapeforAbove Average Productions,a division ofBroadway Video.

From 2014–2019, Downs played Trey Pucker on theComedy CentralsitcomBroad City.Trey is a fitness instructor and the Boss turned romantic interest of Abbi Abrams (played byAbbi Jacobson) at Soulstice.

On April 29, 2015, it was announced that Downs and Aniello would be writing a female spin-off of21 Jump Street.[4]On June 22, 2015, it was announced that the duo sold their script forMove That Body,a feature film acquired bySony.RetitledRough Nightand released in 2017, Aniello directed, while Downs co-starred oppositeScarlett Johanssonin the film.[5]

In 2016 he wrote and starred in his own 30-minute episode of thesketch showNetflix Presents: The Characters.[6]On April 20, 2016 Downs starred in the Comedy Central miniseriesTime Traveling BongalongsideBroad Cityco-starIlana Glazer.[7]

In 2018, Downs co-starred inNetflix’ssummer comedyLike FatheroppositeKristen Bell,Kelsey Grammer,andSeth Rogen.[8]

Downs is showrunning and co-starring in theHBO MaxshowHacks,starringJean Smart.The first season ofHacksgarnered 15Emmynominations and 3 wins, including "Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series", "Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series", and Jean Smart won "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series".[9]The series won twoWriters Guild of America Awardsin the categories of "Comedy Series" and "New Series",[10]and Aniello won aDirectors Guild of America Awardin the category of "Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series".[11]The series also took home twoGolden Globe Awardsfor “Best Musical or Comedy TV Series” and “Best Television Actress in a Musical or Comedy”.[12]Hackswas honored as one of the “Outstanding Television Programs of the Year” at theAmerican Film Institute Awards[13]and won a 2022Peabody Award.[14]Season 1 ofHacksalso received various award nominations at theScreen Actors Guild Awards,[15]Critics Choice Awards,[16]Producers Guild of America Awards,[17]and theGotham Awards.[18]

In its second season,Hacksreceived 17Emmynominations and 3 wins, including "Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series", "Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series", and "Outstanding Contemporary Costumes".[9]The series won aWriters Guild of America Awardin the "Episodic Comedy" category,[19]and was honored as one of the "Outstanding Television Programs of the Year" at theAmerican Film Institute Awardsfor its second consecutive year.[20]Jean Smart also won aCritics Choice Awardfor "Best Actress in a Comedy Series" for her second consecutive year.[21]The series was nominated for threeGolden Globe Awards,[12]twoWriters Guild of America Awards,[22]twoScreen Actors Guild Awards,[23]and aProducers Guild of America Award.[24]

In 2021, Downs and Aniello struck a deal withWarner Bros. Television.[25]

Personal life

[edit]

Raised inSussex, New Jersey,Downs attended thePingry School.[26]

Downs studied theater atDuke University[26]where he did improv as a member of Duke University Improv (DUI).[27]He lives inLos Angeleswith Aniello, his wife and comedy partner.[28][29]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2021
 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Comedy Series Hacks(as Executive Producer) Nominated [9]
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series Hacks–(Episode: "There Is No Line (Pilot)" )
(Shared withLucia AnielloandJen Statsky) 		Won [9]
Writers Guild of America Awards Comedy Series Hacks Won [10]
New Series Hacks Won
Golden Globe Awards Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy Hacks(as Executive Producer) Won [12]
AFI Awards Outstanding Television Program of the Year Hacks Won [13]
Peabody Awards Peabody Award, Entertainment Honoree Hacks Won [30]
2022
 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Comedy Series Hacks(as Executive Producer) Nominated [9]
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series Hacks–(Episode: "The One, The Only" )
(Shared withLucia AnielloandJen Statsky) 		Nominated
Writers Guild of America Awards Episodic Comedy Hacks–(Episode: "The One, The Only" )
(Shared withLucia AnielloandJen Statsky) 		Won [31]
Comedy Series Hacks Nominated
SAG Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Hacks–(Shared withJean Smart,Hannah Einbinder,Carl Clemons-Hopkins,Mark Indelicato,andMegan Stalter) Nominated [32]
Producers Guild of America Awards Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television Hacks(as Executive Producer) Nominated [33]
AFI Awards Outstanding Television Program of the Year Hacks Won [34]
2024
 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series Hacks–(Episode: "Bulletproof" )
(Shared withLucia AnielloandJen Statsky) 		Pending [35]
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series Hacks Pending

References

[edit]
  1. ^"Heart and high jinks mix in the raucous summer comedy 'Rough Night'".Los Angeles Times.April 21, 2017.
  2. ^"'Rough Night's' Comedy Couple on Tackling "Men-Only" Genre ".The Hollywood Reporter.June 14, 2017.
  3. ^"Jean Smart Dedicates Critics Choice Award to Showrunner Who Directed 'Between Contractions'".March 14, 2022.
  4. ^Kit, Borys (April 29, 2015)."Female '21 Jump Street' in the Works With 'Broad City' Writers".TheHollywoodReporter.THR.RetrievedApril 29,2015.
  5. ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 22, 2015)."Sony Wins R-Rated Spec Comedy Auction With 'Broad City' & '21 Jump Street' Spinoff Scribes Aniello & Downs".Deadline.RetrievedJuly 9,2016.
  6. ^Rose, Lacey (February 1, 2016)."Netflix Orders Innovative Sketch Series 'The Characters' (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedFebruary 2,2016.
  7. ^Hibberd, James (January 6, 2016)."Time-traveling bong TV series finally ordered".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedJuly 9,2016.
  8. ^"In Like Father, a Sweet and Summer-Perfect Arrival on Netflix, It's All Smooth Sailing".Vogue.August 3, 2018.RetrievedMarch 13,2023.
  9. ^abcde"Hacks: Awards & Nominations".Television Academy.RetrievedMarch 13,2023.
  10. ^abLittleton, Cynthia (March 20, 2022)."'CODA,' 'Don't Look Up,' 'Hacks' and 'Succession' Win Top Prizes at 2022 Writers Guild Awards ".Variety.RetrievedMarch 13,2023.
  11. ^Chuba, Kirsten (March 12, 2022)."DGA Awards: Jane Campion and 'The Power of the Dog' Take Top Honor".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedMarch 13,2023.
  12. ^abc"Hacks, Golden Globes".Golden Globes.RetrievedApril 13,2023.
  13. ^ab"HACKS – AFI Movie Club".AFI.April 1, 2022.RetrievedMarch 13,2023.
  14. ^Schneider, Michael (June 7, 2022)."'Hacks,' 'Philly D.A.' Among Second Round of Peabody Awards 2022 Winners (FULL LIST) ".Variety.RetrievedMarch 13,2023.
  15. ^Hipes, Patrick (January 12, 2022)."SAG Awards Nominations: 'House Of Gucci', 'Power Of The Dog', 'Succession', 'Ted Lasso' Top Lists".Deadline.RetrievedMarch 13,2023.
  16. ^Pedersen, Erik (December 6, 2021)."Critics Choice TV Nominations: 'Succession' Leads Field As HBO Edges Netflix".Deadline.RetrievedMarch 13,2023.
  17. ^Pedersen, Erik (January 27, 2022)."PGA Awards Nominations: 'Licorice Pizza', 'Don't Look Up', 'Dune', 'King Richard' & 'CODA' Among Pics Vying For Marquee Prize".Deadline.RetrievedMarch 13,2023.
  18. ^Lang, Brent (January 27, 2022)."'Passing,' 'The Lost Daughter' Lead 2021 Gotham Awards Nominations (Full List) ".Deadline.RetrievedMarch 13,2023.
  19. ^"2023 Writers Guild Awards Winners & Nominees".WGA.org.RetrievedApril 13,2023.
  20. ^Pedersen, Erik (December 9, 2022)."AFI Awards TV: First- & Second-Year Shows Dominate As 'Better Call Saul' Bucks Trend".Deadline.RetrievedApril 13,2023.
  21. ^Pedersen, Erik (January 15, 2023)."'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Takes Best Picture At Critics Choice Awards – Complete Winners List ".Deadline.RetrievedApril 13,2023.
  22. ^"2023 Writers Guild Awards Winners & Nominees".WGA.org.RetrievedApril 13,2023.
  23. ^Davis, Clayton (January 11, 2023)."SAG Awards 2023 Nominations: 'Banshees' and 'Everything Everywhere' Tie for Most Nods in History".Variety.RetrievedApril 13,2023.
  24. ^Davis, Clayton (January 12, 2023)."PGA Awards Nominations: 'The Whale' and Four Blockbuster Sequels Recognized, Films Directed by Women Shut Out".Variety.RetrievedApril 13,2023.
  25. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 30, 2021)."'Hacks' Co-Creators Lucia Aniello & Paul W. Downs Ink Overall Deal With Warner Bros. Television Group ".Deadline.RetrievedAugust 31,2021.
  26. ^abHorowitz, Steven J."Paul W. Downs' Feminist Ideals Are in His Work, Not on a T-Shirt",Esquire,June 19, 2017. Accessed March 14, 2022. "Comedy and acting have always been Downs' calling. Native to Sussex, New Jersey, he attended the private institution The Pingry School for his high school years, participating in its acting program and swimming, the latter of which he continued at Duke University for a short spell."
  27. ^"Paul W. Downs".ucbcomedy.Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy.RetrievedMarch 7,2015.[dead link]
  28. ^Marotta, Jenna (March 4, 2015)."Broad City's Paul W. Downs on His Character's Big Reveal, Voicing Abbi's Stuffed Animal, and Writing the Pegging Episode".vulture.Vulture.RetrievedMarch 7,2015.
  29. ^"Lucia Aniello".imdb.RetrievedMarch 7,2015.
  30. ^"Peabody Awards Announces 30 Winners".June 21, 2022.RetrievedApril 13,2023.
  31. ^"2023 Writers Guild Awards Winners & Nominees".Writers Guild of America.RetrievedApril 13,2023.
  32. ^Davis, Clayton (January 11, 2023)."SAG Awards 2023 Nominations: 'Banshees' and 'Everything Everywhere' Tie for Most Nods in History".Variety.RetrievedApril 13,2023.
  33. ^"Nominations in Motion Picture and Television Program categories announced".January 12, 2023.RetrievedApril 13,2023.
  34. ^"AFI Awards 2022".RetrievedApril 13,2023.
  35. ^"Paul W. Downs".Television Academy.RetrievedJuly 17,2024.
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