Trivia

Denis got behind the wheel of a fire engine during September 11, 2001, when the New York Fire Department was short-handed responding to the collapse of the World Trade center.

Received an honorary Doctorate from Emerson College and wrote his book "Why We Suck" as 'Dr. Denis Leary'. He was quoted as saying "Sure it's just a celebrity type of thing--they only gave it to me because I'm famous." Leary explained. "But it's legal and it means I get to say I'm a doctor--just like Dr. Phil.".

His interest in the perils of firemen and his co-creation of the series Rescue Me (2004) stemmed from a tragic 1999 warehouse fire in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts, that took the lives of six firemen, including his cousin and a childhood friend.

Established the Leary Firefighters Foundation. When 9/11 happened, his foundation went into action and was hailed as "the second-quickest charity" to get money into the hands of grieving families. One auction alone raised $600,000.

Was offered Mark Wahlberg's role in The Departed (2006), but turned it down to scheduling conflicts with his television series, Rescue Me (2004). Leary has since commended Wahlberg's performance in the film with admiration.

Has dual U.S and Irish Citizenship.

Founded the Leary Firefighters Foundation (LFF) charity in response to the Dec. 3, 1999, warehouse fire that killed six firefighters in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts. His cousin Jeremiah Lucey was among the six heroic firefighters killed. Leary also established LFF projects for New York's Bravest in response to the FDNY's losses in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and in New Orleans to help restore firefighting capabilities destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, 2005.

He is one of the six godparents (all males) of Damian Charles Bing, son of Elizabeth Hurley, and attended the child's baptism at Immaculate Conception church in Mayfair, London.

Leary's Rescue Me (2004) character, Tommy Gavin, was probably named for his childhood friend Tommy Spencer, a firefighter who was killed in the December 1999 warehouse fire that inspired Leary to establish the Leary Firefighters Foundation in 2000.

When Leary guested on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (2009), he confessed that he was terrified of bats. Coincidentally, the show concluded with an animal expert who presented Conan with a variety of bats that were conveniently suspended behind Leary on studio "tree branches".

His parents are from Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland.

A distant cousin of Conan O'Brien and his sister Jane O'Brien.

Good friend of Mario Cantone and Gina Gershon at Emerson College.

He claims that people often mistake him for Willem Dafoe, and vice versa. The remark he got most was "you were awesome in Spider-Man (2002)!" Years later, Leary played the part of George Stacey in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012).

Loves sports and originally wanted to be an NHL star. That all changed when he got kicked off his high school hockey team because of poor grades.

Has a farm house which he shares with his wife in Roxbury, Connecticut. They have several horses there as well. (May 2005)

Joe Rogan has claimed that Leary's "angry comedian" act, first used in his stage show "No Cure for Cancer" (later a Showtime special, Denis Leary: No Cure for Cancer (1993)) was based on the comedy act of Bill Hicks. Leary skewered the charge (http://us.imdb.com/news/ni0070130).

Lives in New York City.

His song "Asshole" portrays a stereotype of American humor and lifestyles.

His role on Rescue Me (2004) marks his first Golden Globe nomination.

Good friend of Joe Mantegna.

Counts The Rolling Stones, The Who and David Bowie among his favorite rock acts.

Attended Emerson College (Boston) with comedian Steven Wright.

Comedian Louis C.K. claimed in a 2008 appearance on The Opie and Anthony Show that Denis Leary had stolen the "Asshole" bit from him. Leary later denied the accusations on a later episode of the same radio show.

Release of his book, "Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid". (2008)

Graduated from Emerson College

Originally had a role in Beautiful Girls (1996), directed by good friend Ted Demme, but had to pull out due to schedule conflicts.

Irish-American.

Had a roast held in his honor at the New York Friar's Club (August 2003)

Is a big Boston Red Sox fan.

One of seven godparents of Elizabeth Hurley's son Damien.

Father of Jack Leary.

Is the second of four children.

He starred in three films directed by Ted Demme: Who's the Man? (1993), The Ref (1994), and Monument Ave. (1998). Demme also directed both his concert specials. Leary and Demme co-produced Blow (2001), and both men were involved in SUBWAYStories: Tales from the Underground (1997).

Born on exactly the same date as "Bond Girl" Carole Bouquet (of *For Your Eyes Only* fame).