Paul W. Downs

Paul W. Downs Headshot

Actor • Writer • Director

Birth Date: November 21, 1982

Age: 42 years old

Birth Place: New Jersey

Spouses: Lucia Aniello

Awards

 IMDB Twitter Instagram

Best known for his role as the terminally enthusiastic trainer Trey on the comedy series "Broad City" (Comedy Central, 2014-), Paul W. Downs began his career working in sketch comedy. A graduate of Duke University where he was a member of Duke University Improv as well as the sketch comedy troupe Inside Joke, Downs met his future romantic and creative partner Lucia Aniello when they were both performing at Upright Citizen's Brigade in 2007. The two of them would go on to form the production company Paulilu, and collaborated on projects like the comedy shorts "Emmy Training Day" (2011) and "Life After Emmy" (2011), as well as the web series "Paulilu Mixtape" (Above Average, 2012), which the two co-wrote, co-directed, and both starred in.

In 2014, Downs became a writer and actor on the smash hit comedy series "Broad City," with Aniello becoming a writer and regular director on the show. As Downs' character became increasingly prominent on the series, he and Aniello also expanded their horizons to include the big screen, collaborating as writers and stars in the feature film "Rock That Body" (2016). Aniello directed the film, which found Downs appearing with the likes of Scarlett Johansson and Kate McKinnon.

Photos

Paul W. Downs at the 2025 SAG AwardsLucia Aniello, Hannah Einbinder, Jen Statsky, Jean Smart, and Paul W. Downs for 'Hacks' Season 4'Hacks' team at HBO & Max's 2024 Emmys afterparty - Christopher McDonald, Casey Bloys, Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs'Hacks' stars Paul W. Downs and Hannah Einbinder at HBO & Max's 2024 Emmys afterpartyMegan Stalter and Paul W. Downs in 'Hacks' Season 3Jean Smart and Paul W. Downs for 'Hacks' Season 3 finaleJean Smart as Deborah, Megan Stalter as Kayla, and Paul W. Downs as Jimmy in 'Hacks' Season 3 Episode 2Hacks - Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter - Season 3Hacks - Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Mark Indelicato, and Paul W. Downs - Season 3Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello, and Paul W. Downs at the WGA Awards 2023Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Jean Smart, Paul W. Downs, and Hannah Einbinder in 'Hacks'Paul W. Downs at 2023 Golden Globes

News aboutPaul W. Downs

Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder in 'Hacks' Season 4

‘Hacks’ Season 4 Trailer Teases Deborah & Ava’s Feud as Max Sets Premiere Date (VIDEO)

 Paul W. Downs for 'Hacks'
Emmys

‘Hacks’: Paul W. Downs on Spotlighting Jimmy & Kayla’s Dynamic in Season 3 (VIDEO)

 Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart in 'Hacks' Season 3
Spoiler Alert

‘Hacks’: Hannah Einbinder on Why Ava Had ‘No Choice’ But to Blackmail Deborah

 Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart in 'Hacks' - Season 3
Spoiler Alert

‘Hacks’ Team on Tackling Cancel Culture in Comedy & Deborah’s Triumph

 Deidre Hall on 'Hacks'
Preview

How ‘Days of Our Lives’ Favorite Deidre Hall Got Cast on ‘Hacks’

 Kaitlin Olson and Jean Smart in 'Hacks' Season 3
Spoiler Alert

‘Hacks’: How DJ’s Catchphrase for Deborah’s Comedy Roast Came Together

 Jean Smart and Mark Indelicato in 'Hacks' Season 3
Exclusive

‘Hacks’: The Story Behind Deborah’s Yellow Dress, That King Princess Cover & Season 3’s Late Night Set Up

 Jean Smart as Deborah, Megan Stalter as Kayla, and Paul W. Downs as Jimmy in 'Hacks' Season 3 Episode 2
Review

Roush Review: ‘Hacks’ Sets a New Goal: Late-Night Stardom

 Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart for 'Hacks' Season 3

‘Hacks’: Deborah & Ava Reunite in Trailer, Plus Everything We Know About Season 3

 Hacks - Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart - Season 3

‘Hacks’: Deborah & Ava Reunite in Season 3’s Hookup-Heavy Trailer (VIDEO)

 Christopher Lloyd, Helen Hunt, and Tony Goldwyn for 'Hacks' Season 3

‘Hacks’ Season 3 Recruits Christopher Lloyd, Helen Hunt & More to Guest

 Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder in 'Hacks'

‘Hacks’ Sets Spring Return as Jean Smart & Hannah Einbinder Tease Season 3 (PHOTO)

 Jean Smart in 'Hacks' Season 2

‘Hacks’ to Resume Season 3 Filming After Jean Smart’s Heart Procedure

 Hacks - Season 2 - Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder

‘Hacks’: Jean Smart & Team Tease Start of Season 3 Production

 Hacks - Season 2 - Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder

‘Hacks’ Renewed for Season 3 at HBO Max

 Hacks - Season 2 - Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs
Preview

‘Hacks’ Stars Say Jimmy & Kayla’s Best Episodes Are Yet to Come in Season 2

 Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder
Q&A

‘Hacks’ Bosses on the Feedback They’ve Received From Real-Life Comedians

 Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder in Hacks
Review

Roush Review: ‘Hacks’ Avoids Sophomore Slump as It Hits the Road

 Hacks Season 2 Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart

‘Hacks’: Deborah & Ava Head Out on Tour in Full Season 2 Trailer (VIDEO)

 Hacks Season 2 Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder

‘Hacks’ Season 2 First Look Teases Deborah & Ava’s Roller Coaster Relationship (VIDEO)

 Hacks - Meg Stalter and Paul W. Downs - Season 1

‘Hacks’ Showrunner Teases Season 2 With a Behind-the-Scenes First Look (PHOTO)

 Hacks - Season 1 finale - Jean Smart
Spoiler Alert

‘Hacks’ Creators on That Cliffhanger Ending & Deborah’s ‘Kindness’ Towards Ava

 Hacks Season 1 Hannah Einbinder Jean Smart

‘Hacks’ Renewed for Season 2 With Jean Smart at HBO Max

 Jean Smart HBO Max's Hacks
Preview

‘Hacks’ Creators on How Jean Smart ‘Elevated’ Their Vision for the HBO Max Comedy