Conan O’Brien and Denis Leary ’79 Give Emerson a Big Shout Out

On a recent episode of Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, Denis Leary ’79 spoke about his time at Emerson, including founding The Comedy Workshop in 1976.

Leary talked about the “insane amount of talent” among his peers at Emerson and those who came after him– including Mario Cantone ’82, John Frink ’85, David Cross ’87, Laura Kightlinger ’86, and others. 

O’Brien agreed. “I’m often back in Boston… I’m always talking to people who are really sharp, really funny and it turns out they’re Emerson,” O’Brien said. “So many great people have come from there.”

Or as Leary explained, when students choose to come to Emerson, “you’re finding people more like yourself.”

The Comedy Workshop, which Leary started with Eddie Brill ’80 and others, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and remains active—and hilarious!—to this day. 

Read more about Emerson’s long tradition of comedy, including Leary’s time at the College, in this 2021 Expression magazine article or watch the full episode of Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend.