Maura Tierney remembers her roles in ER, Twisters and more

Maura TierneyHis resume includes some of the biggest projects in television, film and theater.

After appearing in a few TV movies in the late '80s, Tierney, 59, landed her first major role in Dick Van Dyke's The Van Dyke Show in 1988. “I was so damn young,” he recalls exclusively in the most recent issue of Us weekly.

Tierney had only been in Los Angeles a year when he worked with the legendary actor, whom he describes as Us as “truly the kindest man.” And he adds: “He had stories to tell. I didn't find him tripping over the couches; He was just a very entertaining guy who had seen a lot of things, you know?

Years after acting alongside the iconic star, he will join one of the most iconic shows on television, Law and orderwhen it returns for its final season next month.

“I had never played a police officer before,” she tells us about her character, Lieutenant Jessica Grady. “[She is] very capable, somewhat concise, [laughing] “Not very charming.”

Tierney tells Us who also loved being able to film in New York City, the location of his alma mater, New York University. “You're not in a studio or on a stage for 12 hours a day,” he says. “Just in the world.”

Tierney takes Us into your world by checking out some of your biggest projects below:

'NoticiasRadio' (1995-1999)

The highlight of his career was working with comedy legends. Phil Hartman and David Foley in the hit comedy. “It had its own logic, similar to 30 rock”she says. “We did strange episodes like NewsRadio on the titanic [or] in space. “It was hilarious and unique.”

'Liar Liar' (1997)

His first box office success, and a change for the previously “dumb” actor Jim Carrey. “It was one of the first times he played a real human being with emotions,” Tierney says. “Jim Carrey is a serious guy and he took the job very seriously. “I mainly tried to be quiet and not distract him.”

'Emergencies' (1999-2009)

She earned Emmy and SAG Award nominations for her role from seasons 6 to 15 as the “unsentimental and really dry” Abby Lockhart. “People tell me they became nurses after watching it,” she reveals. The actress trained in theater also enjoyed ISThe infamous long, one-take scenes. “It was like a play. We once did 16 pages. [of script] In one take!”

'Rescue me' (2009-2011)

When Tierney got the call to join Denis LearyThe drama of the post-firefighterISshe jumped at the opportunity to play someone so different from Abby. Kelly McPhee “was a rock & roll manager, very daring.” Like Tierney, Kelly also battled cancer.

Bonus: “The wardrobe was, as my aunt would say, dynamite!” she remembers. “I still have a Versace leather jacket that I was able to take with me.”

'Lucky Boy' (April 1, 2013)

Tierney auditioned for Broadway lucky boy because I wanted to meet the director Jorge C. wolf and found themselves face to face Tom Hanks. “We were packed every night and they cheered us every night,” he says. “Tom is lovely. There's nothing that's not fun about it. You're going to meet Bruce Springsteen. “They all came.”

Skydiving (February 2024)

After doing her first spur-of-the-moment skydive during a trip to Spain, Tierney was hooked. “It's an incredible reboot,” she enthuses. “There would be world peace if everyone jumped out of a plane.” He jumped again for his birthday on February 3 and plans to do it annually.

'Tornadoes' (2024)

This “great action movie”, in which she played the mother of Daisy Edgar Jones'Storm Chaser, was a summer hit. “Everyone did an incredible job,” says Tierney, who doesn't even mind the lack of tornado scenes. “I don't think mom should have accompanied us,” he offers, laughing. “She would have been a big deal for her little love story!”

For more information on Tierney's career evolution, see the latest issue of Us weekly on newsstands now. Law and order Season 24 premieres on NBC on Thursday, October 3 at 8 p.m. ET

With reporting by Andrea Simpson