Barry Crimmins

Barry Crimmins (born July 3, 1953) is an American stand-up comedian, political satirist, author of Never Shake Hands with a War Criminal released by Seven Stories Press, former Air America Radio writer and correspondent, and former comedy club owner.

Crimmins founded two comedy clubs, The Ding Ho and Stitches, in the 1980s in Boston. Shows at these clubs, produced by Crimmins, included performances by comedians Steven Wright, Paula Poundstone, Bobcat Goldthwait, Kevin Meaney, Jimmy Tingle and many others.

Crimmins' satirical writing and comedy routines have focused through the years on the need for political and social change. In the 1990s, in a more serious vein, he led a crusade against images of child abuse on the Internet, calling for police investigation of Internet service providers. Crimmins received the "Peace Leadership Award" from Boston Mobilization for Survival, and was honored by Community Works with the "Artist for Social Change Award" for his years of activism. Howard Zinn presented Barry Crimmins with "The Courage of Conscience Award" from Wellesley College and The Life Experience School at The Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Massachusetts.

Crimmins was featured on the podcast WTF with Marc Maron in 2013, discussing his personal life and career as a political activist and his role in the Boston comedy scene. In 2016 he appeared on Stuart Goldsmith's podcast The Comedian's Comedian, which was recorded while Crimmins was performing in London.

Crimmins has also been featured in a number of film and television appearances over the years, including When Standup Stood Out (2003), The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1988-1989), and The Young Comedians All-Star Reunion (1986). Crimmins has released two albums: Strange Bedfellows on A&M Records and Kill the Messenger on Green Linnet. His articles are regularly published in The Boston Phoenix among other publications.

Crimmins's life and work in comedy and politics are the subject of a documentary entitled Call Me Lucky (2015) directed by Bobcat Goldthwait.

On June 4, 2016, Crimmins shot a special, "Whatever Threatens You", in Lawrence, Kansas for Louis C.K.'s production company Pig Newton. The special is available through LouisCK.net.