Denis Leary says the raw moments he shared with New York City firefighters in the weeks following the September 11 attacks became the heart of his hit series “Rescue Me.” The actor spent time in firehouses as crews sifted through the rubble, observing a stark mix of sorrow and spontaneous laughter.
From tragedy to television
Leary recalled a pivotal scene where a firefighter, overwhelmed by loss, could barely speak. Within minutes, the same crew was cracking jokes, a shift that sparked the show’s signature blend of grief and dark humor. “We went from watching a guy come up from downtown from The Pile – they had found a friend, a piece of a friend, and so he was just overwhelmed with grief. I mean, he could barely talk,” he told the New York Post. “Maybe 20 minutes later…all of us were laughing about something.”
Creating an authentic firehouse world
Working with writer Peter Tolan, Leary drew directly from the stories and daily experiences shared by FDNY members and firefighting consultants. “All the ideas for our fires came basically from experiences those guys had,” he said. The show’s supporting cast, including Andrea Roth, Michael Lombardi, and Jack McGee, helped portray the complex lives of firefighters coping with alcoholism, family turmoil, and survivor’s guilt.
Positive response from the fire service
Before the series launched, younger firefighters praised the authenticity of the portrayal. “They said, ‘You got it. You totally nailed it,’” Leary recalled. The series premiered on FX in July 2004 and ran for seven seasons, ending in September 2011, earning a reputation for its honest depiction of the firehouse bond.
Balancing humor and respect
Leary faced skepticism from Hollywood executives who feared comedy might be inappropriate after 9/11. He argued that people needed laughter more than ever. Co‑creator Tolan later reflected on the delicate balance, noting that some moments were “inappropriately funny,” but emphasized that humor was part of the human response to tragedy.
Leary’s own connection to firefighting runs deep; his cousin and close friend were killed in a 1999 Worcester warehouse fire, and he founded the Leary Firefighters Foundation in 2000. The personal loss and the collective trauma of 9/11 continue to shape his respect for the brave men and women who serve the community.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
