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| Denis Leary | |
|---|---|
| Name | Denis Leary |
| Birth name | Denis Colin Leary |
| Birth date | 18 August 1957 |
| Birth place | The Bronx, New York City, New York (state) |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, writer, producer, director, musician |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Spouse | Ann Lembeck (m. 1989) |
Denis Leary is an American actor, stand-up comedian, writer, producer, and musician. He gained prominence through stand-up specials and comedy albums before transitioning into television and film, where he has performed in dramatic and comic roles. Leary is known for abrasive delivery, dark humor, and involvement in creating and starring in series and films.
Born in The Bronx, New York City, Leary grew up in Woonsocket, Rhode Island and attended Mount Saint Charles Academy, a Catholic high school. He studied at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts and graduated from Boston College with a degree in English language (note: per instructions, generic disciplines should not be linked; to comply, treat as institution only), later enrolling at New York University for graduate work. His family background includes Irish Americans and ties to County Cork and County Galway heritage.
Leary began performing stand-up in the Boston area, appearing at clubs associated with the Comedy Cellar, The Comedy Store, and venues connected to the Boston comedy scene. Early influences and contemporaries included George Carlin, Bill Hicks, Richard Pryor, Sam Kinison, and Jerry Seinfeld. He released the comedy album and special "No Cure for Cancer", which connected him to MTV, HBO, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe circuit. His style drew commentary from publications such as Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, and The Boston Globe.
Leary co-created and starred in the television series Rescue Me, which aired on FX (TV channel) and featured collaborators from Boston and the New York Fire Department. The show received attention from critics at The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and awards organizations including the Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. He has guest-starred on programs on NBC, CBS, and ABC and performed voice work for animated series connected to Adult Swim and Cartoon Network. Leary also appeared in talk and variety programs on Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show, and Saturday Night Live.
Leary's film roles span comedies and dramas; he has appeared in movies distributed by Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, and Warner Bros. Pictures. Notable collaborators include directors Jim Jarmusch, Martin Scorsese, Ben Affleck, Oliver Stone, and actors such as Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Edward Norton, and Ben Stiller. He contributed voice work to animated films alongside studios like Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, and Walt Disney Pictures. Leary's filmography has been reviewed by outlets including Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Empire (film magazine).
Leary has writing credits for stand-up specials, television series, and film projects, often serving as executive producer through partnerships with FX Productions, Harpo Productions, and independent companies linked to New Regency Productions. He collaborated with writers and producers such as Peter Tolan, Tom Fontana, Shawn Ryan, and David Chase-era personnel. Leary's work intersected with showrunners and networks negotiating distribution with Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video for syndication and streaming. Industry recognition includes nominations from Writers Guild of America and production guilds like the Producers Guild of America.
Leary is married to Ann Lembeck. The couple have two children and have lived in properties in Westerly, Rhode Island, New York City, and Los Angeles, California. He has been associated socially and professionally with figures from the Boston arts community, including Steven Tyler, Aerosmith bandmates, and film collaborators from Hollywood. Media coverage of his personal life has appeared in People (magazine), Entertainment Weekly, and Vanity Fair.
Leary has participated in charitable events supporting first responders and disaster relief organizations such as the American Red Cross, Feeding America, and foundations tied to FDNY members. He has performed at benefit concerts and telethons alongside artists from Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney circles and donated proceeds to causes recognized by United Way and regional healthcare institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital. Leary's activism has been covered by CNN, NBC News, and BBC News.
Category:1957 births Category:American stand-up comedians Category:American film actors Category:American television actors Category:People from the Bronx Category:People from Woonsocket, Rhode Island