Rescue Me – Tribute Page
On FX Networks
Daniel Sunjata, known for his role in 'Rescue Me,' shares how his real-life band, Apache Stone, became a part of the show's storyline. He discusses the creative process behind integrating personal elements of the actors into the series. Sunjata also touches on the playful teasing from his co-stars, including Dennis Leary.
Michael Lombardi
Daniel Sunjata
Callie Thorne
About Rescue Me – Tribute Page
Daniel Sunjata is an American actor who gained prominence as Franco Rivera in FX's Rescue Me (2004-2011). His career spans television, film, and theater, including a Tony Award nomination for Broadway's Take Me Out (2003). Notable roles include Paul Briggs in USA's Graceland, Reggie Jackson in The Bronx is Burning, and James Holt in The Devil Wears Prada. He has continued with roles in Power Book II: Ghost and ABC's High Potential.
In this interview
- Discusses how his real-life band Apache Stone was written into Rescue Me's storyline
- Explains writers pulled elements from actors' personal lives for comedic or dramatic twists
- Recalls co-stars mockingly renamed his band 'Indian Sunburn' and called it a massage technique
- Describes the fraternal teasing culture among firemen portrayed in the show
“They pulled things from the actors' personal lives and had a comedic or dramatic element in twist on the story.”— Rescue Me – Tribute Page, in this interview
Since this interview
Sunjata appeared as Dante 'Mecca' Spears in Power Book II: Ghost on Starz (2021-2024) and joined ABC's High Potential as Detective Adam Karadec in 2024, earning an NAACP Image Award nomination for the role in 2025.
