Career
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 ISPs.
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 discussing his personal life and career as a political activist and his role in the Boston comedy scene.
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 Agricultural and Mechanical Records and Kill the Messenger on Green Linnet.
His articles are regularly published in The Boston Phoenix among other publications.
Crimmins’ life and work in comedy and politics are the subject of a documentary entitled Call Maine Lucky (2015) directed by Bobcat Goldthwait.