[1][2][3] Downing, a native of Harlem, New York City, attended the High School of Performing Arts.

[4] As a child actor, he made his professional debut on Broadway in The Green Pastures.

[4] As part of the Negro Ensemble Company in the 1960s and 70s, Downing appeared in productions including the Obie Award-winning musical The Great MacDaddy,[5][6] and the successful play Ceremonies in Dark Old Men.

[7][8][9] Downing later appeared in the Pulitzer Prize-nominated play, Miss Evers' Boys.

[10][11][12] Downing appeared in films, including Gordon's War,[13] and numerous television shows, including The Jeffersons, Baretta,[14] Backstairs at the White House,[15][16] and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.