Daniel Kyri is an essential part of the Chicago Fire puzzle. His character, Darren Ritter, doesn't often get a chance to take center stage, but his affable presence makes him a friend to all in Firehouse 51. Ritter is a problem solver, and Kyri has implementend this admirable quality in his own life.
The actor may not be playing Ritter at the moment, given Chicago Fire's winter hiatus, but he is very much involved in the betterment of the eponymous city. On Sunday, December 15, Kyri performed the Evening Ritual for St. Regis Chicago's 2nd Annual 12 Days of Sabrage.
Daniel Kyri helped promote a local charity
The event was put on to help provide winter gear and warm clothing to local children who are living in "homeless or low-income situations." Kyri was the Guest of Honor, and he used his Chicago Fire fame to help give back to the community that has supported the show and the One Chicago franchise as a whole. He promoted the charity event on his Instagram.
Daniel Kyri's commitment to helping out Chicagoans makes sense, given that he is one of the few One Chicago actors who is a native. The actor was born on the South Side of Chicago in 1994, and has continued to champion whenever he discusses his role within the Dick Wolf-produced franchise.
Kyri discussed his relationship with Chicago during a 2024 interview with Wolf Entertainment. The actor admits that he has seen the good and bad sides of the city, but takes pride in the fact that he gets to help shape Chicago's cultural identity in the minds of viewers.
Daniel Kyri has detailed his "love" for Chicago
"I love this city," he explained. "And it really is a privilege to be doing what I do." Kyri also noted that his experiences in various neighborhoods of Chicago have informed his portrayal of Ritter, and the ways in which the character navigates different emergency calls. He enjoys being "honest" and using his "experiences" to benefit the show from an authenticity standpoint.
Kyri may be thriving, but Ritter has suffered some complications throughout Chicago Fire season 13. The character was injured in the line of duty, and Kyri admitted that said injury got him "down for a bit" during an interview with Us Weekly. Fortunately, Ritter has been able to make a full return to duty, and reclaim his spot alongside the likes of Mouch (Christian Stolte) and Herrmann (David Eigenberg).