Paul W. Downs

Paul W. Downs is an American actor, writer, director, and producer best known for co‑creating the acclaimed HBO Max series Hacks. Born on November 21, 1982 in Morristown, New Jersey, he grew up in Sussex Borough where his great‑grandfather’s name inspired his middle name William. He attended the elite Peck School for middle school, earning a drama award for his performance in Twelfth Night, and later the Pingry School for high school before studying theater at Duke University, where he honed his improvisational skills with Duke University Improv (DUI). While at Duke, Downs met future comedy partner Lucia Aniello, and the duo later formed the digital‑short collaborative brand “Paulilu,” producing web series such as Paulilu Mixtape for Above Average Productions in 2012. Downs entered mainstream television in 2014 when he was cast as Trey Pucker, a fitness‑obsessed boss‑turned‑romantic interest, on Comedy Central’s Broad City, a role he also wrote, directed, and executive‑produced across the show’s five‑season run. His partnership with Aniello led to the sale of the feature‑film script Move That Body, retitled Rough Night (2017), where he co‑starred opposite Scarlett Johansson while Aniello directed. Subsequent projects include a 30‑minute sketch for Netflix Presents: The Characters (2016), the Comedy Central miniseries Time Traveling Bong (2016), and a supporting role in Netflix’s Like Father (2018) alongside Kristen Bell, Kelsey Grammer, and Seth Rogen. In 2021, Downs and Aniello signed a deal with Warner Bros. Television and launched Hacks, starring Jean Smart. The series earned two Golden Globes, a Peabody Award, three Primetime Emmy Awards, multiple Writers Guild of America and Directors Guild of America honors, and repeated “Outstanding Television Program” recognitions from the American Film Institute. As co‑showrunner and star, Downs has been praised for his sharp comedic timing and collaborative writing style. Downs married Lucia Aniello in September 2021 after a pandemic‑delayed ceremony in Italy, and the couple welcomed their first child, a son, in 2022. They reside in Los Angeles, continuing to produce innovative comedy content across television and digital platforms.