- She was one of the two women originally considered for the role of Xena: Warrior Princess (1995), along with Vanessa Angel. She was offered the role that made Lucy Lawless famous but turned down as she was offered the role of Monica on Touched by an Angel (1994) at the same time.
- Her name, Roma, originates from both her grandmother's names, Rose and Mary.
- Her mother, Maureen O'Reilly Downey, passed away from a heart attack at age 48 when Roma was age 10.
- The Irish lass was once turned down for a television commercial for Irish Spring Soap because she did not sound Irish enough.
- Cannot type and admits that she pecks at the keys when typing emails and using her computer.
- Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World (1997).
- Received her Master's degree in spiritual psychology from the University of Santa Monica (2010).
- Gave birth, at age 36, to her only child, daughter Reilly Anspaugh (Reilly Marie Downey Anspaugh), on June 3, 1996. Child's father is David Anspaugh, Downey's second husband. She is the stepmother of Vanessa Anspaugh.
- Received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Brighton in Brighton, England.
- Eloped and married her first husband, Leland Orser, in a Roman Catholic ceremony in Rome, Italy.
- Her favorite movie is the romantic drama Brief Encounter (1945).
- Learned to play the piano as a child, but can no longer play. Also studied Irish dancing as a child.
- Has two sisters, Jacinta McLaughlin and Ann Flood, and two older brothers, Lawrence Downey and John Downey.
- Residing with Survivor (2000) creator, Mark Burnett (whom she later married) (2004).
- She was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours List for her services to the Arts, Drama and to the community in Northern Ireland.
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