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Entertainment Star Helps Firefighters

The entertainment world members can sometimes be serious as well, no matter how comic their roles are. Dennis Leary, a famous comedian, had founded the Leary Firefighter Foundation around six years ago to help firefighters. Since its foundation, the entertainment actor`s fund has raised $7 million for equipment and training for firefighters in New Orleans, New York, Worcester and Boston, in part through special events like his annual celebrity hockey game. On Tuesday, Leary was in Boston to donate a $250,000 fire boat to the city department.

What influenced Leary the most, was the death of his cousin, a firefighter, in 1999, and the deaths of hundreds of firefighters two years later on September 11. It sparked a passion in the Emmy Award-nominated actor-comedian to fight for funding for a group he says is largely overlooked for all its heroics.

Leary, who plays a New York City firefighter on the FX entertainment television series "Rescue Me," met with numerous Boston firefighters Tuesday, showing none of the intense, frenetic style that characterizes his professional persona, apart from the pace with which he sucked down cigarettes. He gave out handshakes and hugs to any firefighter who wanted them, and signed whatever they tossed in front of him. Boston Firefighter Scott Salman said Leary`s sincerity is obvious. "It does boost our morale and it makes the public more aware," he said. "I believe it is from his heart." The entertainment fans will surely appreciate Leary`s deeds as well.