“Having dealt with a lot of real firefighters, I know there are a lot of guys who, for lack of a better term, become addicted to the grief because it has kept them connected to these guys that they felt responsible for having lost.”

Denis Leary is an American actor and writer from the 1980s to present. He gained prominence for his roles in crime dramas and comedies, including *Homicide: Life on the Street* and *Rescue Me*, as well as his sharp, often darkly humorous writing for television and film. His work blends gritty realism with a distinctive, witty voice.