Denis Leary Net Worth - Pulptastic
Sarah Rodriguez
Published Apr 10, 2026
What is Denis Leary’s Net Worth and Salary?
Denis Leary, an American actor and comedian, has a net worth of $30 million. He is most recognized for his work on the TV show “Rescue Me,” which he created and starred in, earning two Primetime Emmy nominations for acting and writing. Leary also wrote and acted in the FX series “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.”
Aside from his TV work, Leary has acted in various films, including “The Ref,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and “Draft Day.” He has also lent his voice to popular animated movies like “A Bug’s Life” and the “Ice Age” franchise.
Denis Leary’s Early Life and Education
Denis Colin Leary was born on August 18th, 1957 in Worcester, Massachusetts. He was raised in a Catholic household by Irish immigrants and holds both Irish and American passports. Leary attended Emerson College where he founded the Emerson Comedy Workshop, which is now an important part of the school’s culture. After graduating in 1981, Leary stayed at the school for the next five years, working as a teacher and teaching comedy-writing. In later years, he was given an honorary doctorate by Emerson College.
Leary’s third cousin is Conan O’Brien, and during his college years, he met another comedian, Mario Cantone, with whom he became close friends.
Denis Leary’s Career Highlights
Denis Leary began his career in Boston comedy clubs and gained notoriety after appearing on “The Rascals Comedy Hour” in 1990. He went on to appear on various shows, including “Remote Control,” and released two comedy albums in the 90s.
Leary also started his film career in the 90s and appeared in movies such as “The Sandlot,” “Wag the Dog,” and “Demolition.” He later starred in the TV series “The Job” and co-created and starred in “Rescue Me.” Leary also won two Emmy Awards for his creative input in the series.
Aside from acting, Leary is also an established voice actor and has lent his voice to characters in movies such as “A Bug’s Life” and “Ice Age.” He has also done voiceovers for commercials including MLB 2K18 and Ford F-150 pickup trucks.
Marriage and Children
In 1989, Leary got married to Ann Lembeck, who was an English instructor at Emerson College when the two met. Together, they have two children. Ann is also an author and has published several books.
Plagiarism and Controversy Surrounding Denis Leary
Denis Leary has been accused of plagiarism, with many comics pointing out that he seems to have stolen material from the late comedian Bill Hicks, with whom he had a previously close relationship. Hicks noticed the similarities and ended their friendship. Leary’s album “No Cure for Cancer” reportedly contained “huge chunks of [Hicks’] material, line for line.”
Leary also faced controversy over his book “Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy, and Stupid,” in which he made insensitive comments about autism, claiming it was an “explanation for why dumb-ass kids can’t compete academically” and telling parents their child was “not autistic. He’s just stupid. Or lazy. Or both.” Leary later apologized, claiming the quote was taken out of context.
Denis Leary’s Real Estate Investments
In 2007, Denis Leary purchased a three-bedroom condo in Soho for $3.95 million. The chic and understated Manhattan apartment boasts walls of glass and exceptional views.
In 1997, Leary and his wife Ann bought an 1850s farmhouse in Roxbury, Connecticut for $795,000. They later purchased two neighboring estates for a total of $600,000, resulting in a 51-acre property. The couple renovated the main house, building a 6,000 square-foot mansion with five bedrooms, a sunroom, gym, and game room. The estate also includes a caretaker’s house, a pool, a barn with horse stalls, a tennis court, and an ice rink. The property was listed for sale in 2016 for $4.9 million, but Leary still owns it.
