Ask Denis Leary
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A comedian who's earned a cult following with his acerbic wit, and a creator, producer, writer and star of the hit FX series, Rescue Me, this Massachusetts-born actor appears in the anticipated movie about the 2000 election, Recount, debuting May 25 on HBO. Use the form below to submit your questions for Denis Leary, then look for the upcoming interview in TIME.
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Hello Mr. Leary,
Huge fan of your work as an actor, comedian and your charities. My question is, understanding that you don't have full control of this, but, how long do you see Rescue Me going on for? Do you think now with the success of Rescue Me, future shows like 'The Job' which was a great show, will have better success?
Regards,
Fred
WITH THE THIRD INSTALLMENT OF "ICE AGE" COMING SOON, WHAT'S IT BEEN LIKE VOICING AN ANIMATED CREATURE?
Dear Mr. Leary,
Hello, i was wondering do you ever get annoyed when a fan mistakes you for William Dafoe, the guy who played the green goblin in Spider-Man? Also, if a fan mistakes you for him do you pretend to be him and sign his name for the fan?
You've created a career that's deliciously irreverent. But judging by the few images we've seen of your family, they seem unaffected, normal– happy even. How different is Denis Leary the dad from Denis Leary the acerbic comic?
Mr. Leary,
Seeing that the Republicans stole the 2000 election and swiftboated the 2004 do you think they have something up their sleeve for Clinton or Obama? Or have all their nasty tricks caught up with them?
Hi Mr. Leary,
would you have a dream film or role you want to be in? what would that be and why? Just wondering
thank you for your time, and kudos on the great work
I love your work as an actor and comedian. How hard was it for you to get into the acting business?
As a standup comic, how inspired by Bill Hicks were you?
I heard that you are really a closet Yankees fan?
Any thoughts of reviving the Cops series?
I would really like to hear Mr. Leary comment on accusations of his "lifting material" from Bill Hicks. Do these accusations upset him, and if so, what's his side of the story? I have read that Mr. Hicks and Mr. Leary were friends, so I know this may be a difficult and complicated question. I applaud Mr. Leary for his charity work, and for his wonderful creativity. Thank you for the opportunity to ask him questions.
Any plans for a music album?
Any plans on relaesing a music album?
Hello Denis
Was your name always spelled with one N or did you change it because you thought it was groovy ( you're old enough to know what that means). And oh,...I'm sorry one more question...what's playing on your F*#cking ipod right now?
Patrick
After the Bo Sox won the World Series in 2004, a hilarious video spoof of a Master Card commercial made the rounds with you in the starring role.
.Was the video your idea?
.What body part would you have REALLY sacrificed up for a WS championship?
KP
Huge fan Mr. Leary. I have an mp3 copy of your song; "I'm and a$$hole" that has traveled with me to every computer at work for years now. Great song with awesome lyrics.
Question: Are you still smoking ciggaretts? You used to be a chimney and I was wondering if gettng older and wiser has changed any habbits?
Henry
Why can't we all just get along?
Hi Denis, Love your work and comedy. Two Pictures that I love the most are "The Ref" and "Double Whammy". Could you please share the experiances that you had on these two with us. Thanks and keep up the good work on the charities you work hard for.
Steve
As a life long Mets fan I would like to thank Boston, the Red Sox, Red Sox fans, the state of Massachusettes ,Theo Epstein, New England, for making the NY Yankees fans lives miserable the last few years. Good to see Bucner welcomed back to Fenway.
Mr Leary Sir,
Huge fan of your work as an actor and comedian! Have you ever considered that without the huge hotdog/showboat, Manny & the man who should never be MVP, Ortiz, would the red Sox ever win a Title again?
Hope you are doing well!
Tony Stark
Hello Mr. Leary,
I am a big rescue me fan, and thank you for your charity work.
Do you think that the movie recount might finally impact and bring change to the way that this country handles the way the votes are counted and the machines that count those votes?
Regards,
Karen
Dennis, why did you change the color of your hair? Is it because you are secretely trying to be Colin Quinn?
If you had your choice, who would you choose to play you in a movie about your own life?
I heard you make a fantastic joke about the Irish recently. You wondered why they were dying during the potato famine, even though Ireland is an island surrounded by the ocean, and thereby fish. Joking aside, what was wrong with these people that they chose starvation over eating fish?
Do you plan on doing anymore feature films. I have throroghly enjoyed your previous endevors and look forward to more from you if it's in the cards?
Whether the issue is 911, election debacles or steroids, how does one turn from critic to healer?
Hi Denis,
How do you feel about comedians stealing material from others and trying to pass it off on their own? I think "word for word" jokes are the pretty obvious but some comics steal the "mannerisms and style of delivery" from others.
Do you think this is ethical?
Material can be very personal to a comic and this can be very similar to an artist stealing a painting and sticking their own name on it.
Regards,
Tony W.
Hello Denis,
Not many of your fans today are probably aware that a large portion of your material in your early career was blatantly plagiarized from the late great Bill Hicks (i.e. Your smoking shtick, especially the bit about health nut Jim Fixx). Although there are many Hicks fans (myself included) that are quite aware of your hackery and will always think of you in this way any time your name is mentioned. So my question to you is: Will you ever give credit to Bill Hicks for using his material? I will wager to say NO!
Hello Mr. Leary,
Your newest project, "Recount" has to do with the 2000 election. So I'm curious has this newest project changed your opinion on the political process? Also, are you supporting any of the candidates currently running for President?
Hi Mr.Leary,
May I be so brazen as to make note of striking similarities between your stand-up material and the prior stand-up up of the late great Bill Hicks.
When asked about you, Hicks told an interviewer: "I have a scoop for you. I stole his act. I camouflaged it with punchlines, and to really throw people off, I did it before he did."
Perhaps you could comment on this video?
Regards,
Spencer
Dennis,
I could really care less about your acting career but I do wonder how do you plan to save your soul from the eternal fires of Hell? What is your strategy? Something tells me you care less or believe not. I just wondered since you think you have everything else figured out what was the game plan on the most important moment of your life your death? Don't think about and you will die to horrible awakening that will be irrevocable and eternal. See ya at the last judgment!
Oh yeah if you do care not just any belief will do, the Catholic faith is necessary, not the one you see today either. Babylon has fallen Dennis, you probably aren't up on this issue. The traditional Catholic faith is the only way to eternal life no exceptions! Have a nice, short life.
Ken Bird
Dear Mr. Leary,
Where did you find the "courage" to steal Bill Hicks' material? I would accuse you of stealing his persona, but that's too much of a stretch. Bill Hicks' comedy had meaning, something yours lacks entirely. Unless, you consider plagiarism meaningful. You're a hack, and a terrible actor. We've had the "Bill was jealous" shtick, and it's time you drop it. You're not funny, you're old, tired and done. Maybe you'll address this?
Fellow Irish family-person;
You have more air-time than the Pope. Use it for good...
Family- fare , please. Your hair is divine; wash it, please.
Kate,
Knopfmultimedia
Have you ever considered going into politics?
Your Wikipedia site says that "Leary displays an overt affinity for libertarianism." You agree or disagree? If you agree,how do you think it has influenced your work?
Denis!
It's me again! How are you Buddy?? So tell me, How does it feel to be asked such to wash your hair from a woman who is working hard on adding as many last names to her name before God says its her time and helps her check out? I'm wagering she will have 29 more...
Thanks Pal!
Tony Stark
Stark Enterprises
Hey Denis!
Me again! Sorry man, but I noticed that someone says if you were going into Politics.. If so, can I be on your cabinet????
Thanks man, you still rock!
Your Pal,
Tony Stark
Stark Enterprises
Hello Mr. Leary. I am a big fan and have a very important question.
Have you found a place that sells coffee flavored coffee?
What do you feel is the legacy of your work on MTV in the early 90s? Do you see any of your work influencing the channel today?
hi denis - my friend darlene and I discuss "rescue me" on our thread on the EricCarmen.com message board. Basically, you have 2 women who have a great time dishing over our mutual crush on you and we LOVE your hair.
We love the show's writing and the brilliant cast.
I am wondering what feedback the NYFD gives you and your partner about your overall protrayal of the department?
love ya - annie
I admire how you're willing to push the envelope and stretch the boundaries. That said, I wonder if there are any fears that stop or motivate you to keep breaking new terrain?
Out of your entire career what is the project you enjoyed the most?
Love your work especially stand up. Any new material in the works, maybe a DVD?
When you receive your knew catalogue through the post which page do you turn to first? When I was a boy it was the toy section now its the lingerie.
Im asuming you think a recount should have been done in Fla. Do you think if Vice President Al Gore would have been more agressive in demanding a recount he could have won the Presency? If he had won I can only immagine what could have come about in our USA. I guess you want to show what could have been if a few 1,000 votes could have changed are history? I think its a great ideal and I cant wait to see your movie. P.S. Where do you get the time for this movie between your comedy,series. and your volentary work?
I'm a huge fan, Denis! It's been 11 years since Lock 'N Load, Denis. Any thoughts to doing another comedy special? I'm also curious to know if you bid on the Redsox jersey they dug out of the foundation for the new Yankee Stadium. I love ya Leary, but cut my Yankees some slack
Just a comment ... favourite movie is The Ref ... our favourite Christmas movie that we watch every year!
Brings the Christmas spirit out in all of us.
Thanks for all your great work!
Denis: Your character is Rescue Me is strongly sexual. Women lust after him, and except for the fiction surrounding the beach house fire and resulting effect on him, he is stalwartly virile. How was this conceived--as a story device that would be interesting, or as a desire to create a character whose manliness reflected upon his creator- you?
Hello Mr. Hicks, I am a great fan of yours, and am happy to see that you survived that brief case of death due to pancreatic cancer. I like your old, pre-cosmetic-surgery face better, though. Why did you make yourself look like a washed-up Woosterite?
Anyway, that's not my question. My question is: do you ever plan to be funny/original again? Because you seem to have hit a 14-year slump. Might want to do something about that. Also, have you ever considered asking Philip Morris USA to sponsor your act? I mean, it'd be nice to get something back, since you're already putting their kids through college, right? Think about it.
Sincerely,
This guy
Hey Mr. Leary I know this is going to sound stupid and probably repetitive also, but I really want to be an actor and I was wondering if you could give me some good contact numbers of agents that can get me into the business really fast.
Ok, I really do like your work, but I especially like to see you on late night talk shows. You are very funny off-the-cuff, but you seem genuine and a bit nervous. A regular Joe. So considering this, what you've accomplished and what is just beyond the horizon, what is your dream gig? What is the one thing in life that you would like to do or accompish and why?