“I went to school with Steven Wright, who was the shyest guy I knew, and one day someone suddenly told me that he was in a club doing standup comedy. I went down to his club and he was great. Another friend of mine, who was pretty much a thief by trade, was hosting the show. So I thought, 'If these guys can do it, then so can I.'”

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.