Peter Tolan is the man behind the successful FX series “Rescue Me” starring Denis Leary. He began his career writing for sitcoms “Carol & Company” and “Wish You Were Here”. He wrote and co-produced the first six episodes of Tim Allen’s “Home Improvement” and then moved to the hit series “Murphy Brown”, starring Candice Bergen. He worked the series for 3 seasons which resulted in a shared Emmy award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1992 as co-producer.
Also in 1992 he began writing for Gray Shandling’s “The Larry Sanders Show” on HBO. As the co-executive producer of the series he received 3 CableACE Awards for Comedy Series and he got an Emmy for co-writing with Shandling the series finale episode “Flip.”
He wrote for the series “Ellen”, “Buddies” and he created the sitcoms “The George Wendt Show” and“Style and Substance.” With comedian Denis Leary Tolan co-created the ABC satiric comedy “The Job,” which also starred Leary as a tough NYPD detective. Though it was cancelled after two seasons it was heralded by the critics.
He wrote the hit film “Analyze This” directed by Harold Ramis, starring Robert Deniro and Billy Crystal. He also wrote the sequel “Analyze That”, “My Fellow Americans” starred Jack Lemon, James Garner and Dan Akroyd,“ Bedazzled” starred Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurely,“America’s Sweethearts” starred Julia Roberts, Billy Crystal, John Cusak, Catherine Zeta-Jones, “Guess Who” starred Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher, “Just Like Heaven” starred Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo. In 2008 Peter made his directorial debut with the semi-autobiographical film “Finding Amanda” which starred Matthew Broderick and Brittany Snow.
He co-created “Rescue Me” with show star Denis Leary which debuted in 2004. This series has been well received by both critics and audiences, and both Peter and Denis have received Emmy nominations.
With former “Friends” star Matthew Perry Peter has produced another pilot called “The End of Steve”, a dark-comedy about a depressed, foul-mouthed talk show host. Currently, it is being shopped to cable networks.
Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat chats with series creator Peter Tolan, Part 1
Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat chats with series creator Peter Tolan, Part 2
Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat chats with series creator Peter Tolan, Part 3
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