Paul W. Downs, a Duke University alumnus, transitioned from waiting tables in New York to co-creating the Emmy-winning HBO Max series “Hacks,” showcasing his journey of relentless ambition and creativity.
Paul W. Downs, a 2004 Duke University graduate, dramatically quit his job as a waiter at New York’s iconic Tavern on the Green, walking out midshift in his lime green tuxedo jacket and into Central Park. The issue wasn’t the garish uniform but the uninspiring training program that had him shadowing a career waiter.
Downs had bigger ambitions. He envisioned a future where he’d wear a sleek one-button tuxedo with satin collars, accepting major Hollywood awards. His aspirations led him away from waiting tables and towards becoming a distinguished member of Hollywood’s creative community, living in the Hollywood Hills and crafting award-winning television.
Together with his wife, Lucia Aniello, Downs achieved success in showbiz by writing, directing, producing, and acting in the acclaimed HBO Max series, “Hacks.” This comedy series explores the dynamic between an aging comedy star and a young writer, set against the intricate backdrop of the entertainment industry.
A Journey from Rural New Jersey to Hollywood’s Creative Elite
Growing up in rural northwestern New Jersey, Downs, now 39, had an early penchant for comedy, often entertaining adults at family gatherings. As a teenager, he was inspired by Robin Williams and often quoted lines from “Mrs. Doubtfire” while his peers preferred Eminem.
When choosing a college, Downs’s intellectual curiosity and drive for success led him to Duke University. He was drawn by the students’ enthusiasm and the thriving comedy scene, epitomized by the Duke improv group. At Duke, Downs overloaded his schedule with classes each semester while actively participating in improv and a sketch group. He even created his own public policy major, taking courses in art history, English, creative writing, and journalism.
From New York’s Improv Scene to Hollywood Success
After graduation, Downs moved to New York and joined the renowned improv group Upright Citizens Brigade, where he met Aniello. He consistently pushed himself, constantly working and seizing every opportunity. This relentless work ethic continued as he secured a co-starring role on Comedy Central’s “Broad City,” a bold sitcom where he played a meticulous trainer. The show’s success afforded him some financial luxuries, such as taking cabs to the airport instead of public transit.
Following the end of “Broad City” in 2019, Downs relocated to Los Angeles, and “Hacks” premiered in May 2021, garnering Emmy and Golden Globe awards. Downs and Aniello devote themselves to “Hacks,” spending long hours in the writers’ room at Universal Studios, always brainstorming and refining the show. This year, the couple welcomed their first child, a boy, who now shares their attention with their labor of love, “Hacks.”
“This show is our baby,” Downs says, reflecting on the constant dedication it requires.
Downs’s journey from a rural town in New Jersey to the heights of Hollywood success is a testament to his relentless ambition and hard work. His story is one of perseverance, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to his craft. With “Hacks” continuing to receive critical acclaim, Downs’s career in the entertainment industry shows no signs of slowing down, promising even more innovative and engaging content in the future.
Source:
Steve Miller (September 1, 2022). Duke MAG. Paul W. Downs Hacks His Way Into Hollywood Success. https://dukemag.duke.edu/stories/paul-w-downs-hacks-his-way-hollywood-success. Accessed May 31, 2024
Header image: Paul W. Downs at the “2 Dope Queens” premiere in LA
Credit: Alabastergray, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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