Who is John Leary?
I’m an actor, writer and podcast host. From the very beginning, I’ve been a son and a brother. And in the last couple of decades I’ve added partner and father to that list.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Gosh, I dunno. I wish I was better at correspondence. Even things as simple as replying to a text message, I’m always putting it off until I have enough time to compose the perfect response… but then forgetting to actually do so. Nearly every one of my text messages starts with some version of “sorry I didn’t reply sooner.”
Who inspires you and why?
As part of my research into one of the questions on my podcast – The Saturday Quiz, I recently came across the Australian born polymath Arthur Lynch. He seems to have been an extraordinary man, uncompromising in his convictions. He earnt his qualifications in civil engineering at Melbourne University and finished with an MA in logic and mental and moral philosophy.
Shortly afterwards, he studied the three P’s: physics, physiology and psychology at the University of Berlin. Working as a foreign correspondent for a British newspaper, he was sent to South Africa to cover the Boer War, where he raised a brigade to fight on the Boer’s side – for which he was tried for treason and sentenced to hang upon his return to England.
Fortunately, he was pardoned by King Edward VII and the Balfour government and was promptly elected to the British House of Commons representing West Clare, Ireland. In between all this, he studied electrical engineering in Paris, medicine in London and fought in WWI.
By the end of his life in 1934, he’d also managed to publish five volumes of poetry, two novels and multiple non-fiction works ranging from psychology and ethics to critical writings on science, including his Case Against Einstein which, although completely wrong, showed that he was independent of mind and not afraid to pit his wits against the greatest geniuses of his time.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Number one, I would put the brakes on the development of AI. There is nothing that has been produced by generative AI that has proved its worth. Nothing. The cost always outweighs the benefits. Increased productivity? For whom? The fact that so much energy is sucked up by the data centres that provide the computing of AI just illustrates how extraordinary the human brain is. Why would we waste finite resources to create so much useless slop?
Favourite holiday destination and why?
A couple of years ago, my partner Alison, found a holiday rental place in Walkerville – about three hours drive away, close to Wilsons Promontory. We were delighted to discover that the beaches around there were the inspiration for the wonderful Alison Lester picture book Magic Beach which we read to our son when he was little. We loved it so much. We try to return there at least once every year now to jump in the sea.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
The MCG is without doubt one of the most extraordinary sporting grounds in the world. But I’m originally from Sydney, and my preference is to watch the kind of football which is played on a rectangular pitch. Fortunately, Melbourne also has one of the best examples of that kind of stadium just a short walk from the ‘G. We went to several Women’s World Cup matches at AAMI Park and it is a great place to watch soccer as well as the two Rugby variants.
What are you currently reading?
Given that I recently stepped in to replace an actor at the last minute to perform all three plays in The Doll Trilogy at Red Stitch, I have been trying to cram all the lines into my head. So apart from the odd news article, I’ve mostly been reading Kid Stakes, Other Times and Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, all written by Ray Lawler, over and over again.
What are you currently listening to?
When the youth social media ban came into effect, I decided I’d try to set an example for my son and switch off too. But there is a single Instagram profile I continue to check once a week: A London DJ and music producer known as Mr Cutts. He posts what he calls Old Music Friday where he provides brilliant insight, delivered with infectious enthusiasm, of a different track each week. He’s the inspiring music teacher we could all use to introduce us to deep cuts from 60s Soul and RnB. So whatever he puts on, I’m listening to it.
Happiness is?
Watching Taskmaster with my family. Listening to my kid practice piano. Finishing a good book. Eating pistachio granita e brioche for breakfast in Sicily.
What does the future hold for you?
In the near future, I’ll be playing Barney in The Doll Trilogy at Red Stitch. I’ll also continue to make my weekly podcast The Saturday Quiz. But the deeper future is always somewhat up for grabs. My kid has just started high school, so that’s gonna be my focus for the next six years at least.
John can be seen as Barney in The Doll Trilogy – which will be presented at the Red Stitch Theatre from 10 February 2026, before playing the Theatre Royal Hobart (28 – 31 May) and Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat (20 June). For more information, visit: www.redstitch.net for details.
Image: John Leary (supplied)