Steve Sweeney (comedian)

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Steve Sweeney
Born (1949-09-05) September 5, 1949 (age 74)
Charlestown, Massachusetts, U.S.
MediumStand-up, Television, Film
Years activeEarly 70s - Present
GenresObservational comedy, Satire
Notable works and rolesPark Street Under

Steve Sweeney (born September 5, 1949) is an American comedian.

Biography[edit]

Sweeney was born in Charlestown, a section of Boston.[1] His Boston accent and idiosyncratic mannerisms are featured in his stand-up act. He has headlined in several comedy clubs including Caroline's Comedy Club in New York City.[citation needed]

A graduate of Charlestown High School, he earned a BA in Theatre Arts at the University of Massachusetts Boston (1974) and an MFA from the University of Southern California.[citation needed]

During the early 1970s, a group of Boston comedians regularly performed at a comedy club started by Martin Olson and Barry Crimmins in a back room of Ding-Ho, a Chinese Restaurant near Inman Square in Cambridge, MA. The group included Don Gavin, Lenny Clarke, Kevin Meaney, Jay Leno, Bobcat Goldthwait, Bill Sohonage, and Steven Wright.[2][3] Sweeney became known for his use of dialects and commentary on the New England political scene in his act.

Sweeney had a role on Park Street Under, a Boston-based sitcom which has been cited as a potential inspiration for successful television show Cheers.[4] He has appeared on shows such as the Late Show with David Letterman, Evening at The Improv, and Comics Come Home.[5] Sweeney has also appeared in over 20 films,[5] including Rodney Dangerfield's Back to School, Judd Apatow's Celtic Pride, and There's Something About Mary with Ben Stiller.[6]

For a short time Steve was on the morning show on 100.7 FM WZLX, first with "Mornings with Tai and Steve Sweeney", followed by "Steve Sweeney's Neighborhood" after Tai left the station.[7]

On November 3, 2005, Steve opened Steve Sweeney's Comedy Club in Boston's Copley Square with longtime friend Dick Doherty.[citation needed]

Currently, along with doing stand-up, he is also a guest judge on the local talent show "Community Auditions".[8]

On March 29, 2013, Steve Sweeney appeared on Scorch PFG TV.[9]

Steve performed a 5-minute act opening for J. Geils Band at the Boston One Fund concert.

Steve Sweeney and Joe Malone, the former Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, co-host a podcast called "Sweeney and Malone" on Boston Herald Radio.[10]

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1983 The 8th Annual Young Comedians Show Himself TV special
1986 Billy Galvin Diner Owner
1986 Back to School Security Guard
1986 New Wave Comedy Himself
1995 Comics Come Home Himself TV movie
1996 Celtic Pride Nick, the Landlord
1996 Comics Come Home 2 Himself TV movie
1998 Next Stop Wonderland Cab Driver
1998 Southie Paul Finnerty
1998 There's Something About Mary Police Officer
1998 Vig Angie
1998 Behind the Zipper with Magda Police Officer in 1985 Uncredited, Video short
1999 Harbour Lights Cyril Episode: "Baywatch"
2000 Me, Myself & Irene Neighbor Ed
2002 Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist Steve Voice, Episode: "Bakery Ben"
2002 Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn Himself TV series
2008 What Doesn't Kill You Power Wash Jerry
2008 Phantom Gourmet
2008 Credit Card Roulette
2014 The Equalizer Counterman
2016 Bleed for This Official at Caesar's Weigh In
2018 Sweeney Killing Sweeney Sweeney

References[edit]

  1. ^ Pennington, Juliet (October 14, 2016). "The VIP Lounge: Steve Sweeney - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  2. ^ Symkus, Ed. "Steve Sweeney will put the fun in fundraiser". The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  3. ^ Diep, Eric. "Comedian Kevin Meaney Has Died at 60". Complex. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  4. ^ McCarthy, Dan (March 20, 2018). "The Cheers Conspiracy". Boston Magazine. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Comic Steve Sweeney bringing show to Marblehead". Itemlive. July 29, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  6. ^ "Steve Sweeney | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  7. ^ "Steve Sweeney: Townie". Boston.com. November 25, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  8. ^ "Judge Steve Sweeney". communityauditions.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  9. ^ Scorch's PFG TV (season 6, episode 7). Event occurs at 36:06.
  10. ^ https://herald.backbonehub.com/herald_new_mp3/sweeney_and_malone.html [dead link]

External links[edit]