| Steve Sweeney | |
| Birth Place: | Charlestown, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Birth Date: | 5 September 1949 |
| Medium: | Stand-up, Television, Film |
| Active: | Early 70s - Present |
| Genre: | Observational comedy, Satire |
| Notable Work: | Park Street Under |
Steve Sweeney (born September 5, 1949) is an American comedian.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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]
| 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 |