Brian Downey

Brian Downey (born 31 October 1944) is a Canadian actor best known for his portrayal of Stanley Tweedle in the science-fiction television series Lexx.

Career

Downey is mainly a character actor and has appeared in various films and television series, including Up at Ours and a recurring role on Millennium. His first film role was in a 1986 Andy Jones film called The Adventure of Faustus Bidgood, which features the entire cast of CODCO. Downey has enjoyed a long professional relationship with Lexx creator Paul Donovan, dating back at least to 1988, when Donovan cast Downey in the time travel adventure film Norman's Awesome Experience.

Downey starred in the main role as Stanley H. Tweedle in the science fiction series Lexx, spanning four made-for-TV films and three subsequent full-length seasons. He also appeared as Cardinal Juan de Mella in Donovan's medieval TV thriller The Conclave. Downey has worked with popular actors such as Jessica Lange, JoBeth Williams and Sam Rockwell and directors such as Joe Sargent. He won his only acting award at the 2010 Atlantic Film Festival for his role in Whirligig, directed by Chaz Thorne, with whom he has worked on two previous features. He played the evil gang leader "The Drake", in the feature film Hobo with a Shotgun, starring Rutger Hauer and directed by Jason Eisener.

Downey is also a musician and writer. Before being recruited as an actor, he spent many years as a bass player, guitarist, and blues harmonica player. As of 2020, a Canadian talent management firm advertises him as a big band bandleader and drummer, playing swing music. He has been a writer for many stage plays and has led many scriptwriting workshops. His first full-length stage play, Peter's Other War, was produced during the summer of 2009.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1986 The Adventure of Faustus Bidgood Fred Bonia-Coombs 1986 John and the Missus Burgess 1989 Norman's Awesome Experience Dr. Nobbelmeyer 1989 George's Island Mr. Beane 1992 Secret Nation Charles Maddox 2002 Little Dickie Bartender Short Film 2006The Conclave Cardinal Juan De Mella 2007 Snow Angels Frank Marchand 2007 Poor Boy's Game Boxing Official 2007 Just Buried Pickles 2010 Whirligig Al 2011 Hobo with a Shotgun Drake 2012 The Disappeared Gerald 2013 Copperhead Preacher Taggart 2014 Beethoven's Treasure Tail Norman the Magician 2016 The Healer Henry

Television Year Title Role Notes 1979 Up at Ours Derek TV mini series 1982 Joey Captain Joe TV movie 1986 The Beachcombers Milo 1998 Loyal Opposition: Terror in the White House Ben Harrison TV movie 1996–2002 Lexx Stanley H. Tweedle Main cast 1997–1998 Millennium Medical Examiner, Mr. Dean 3 episodes 2003 Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion Capt. Horatio Brannen 2 episodes 2006 Candles on Bay Street Cee Jay TV movie 2007 Sybil Willard TV movie 2009 G-Spot Priest 1 episode 2010 Haven Sal Fortuna 1 episode 2014 Lizzie Borden Took an Ax Jury Foreman TV movie 2015 The Lizzie Borden Chronicles Jury Foreman TV mini series 2017 Trailer Park Boys Sonny 2 episodes 2017–2019 Pure Bishop Bergen 7 episodes