When he’s not leading Firehouse 51 through chaos and catastrophe, Dermot Mulroney is quietly serenading the world’s most loyal duet partner — his hound, Annie.
A Softer Side of Chicago Fire’s Chief
Dermot Mulroney may be known to millions as Chief Dom Pascal, the stoic, duty-bound leader on Chicago Fire, but offscreen, he’s revealing a side that’s infinitely more tender — and musical.
In an October 18 Instagram post, Mulroney shared a heartwarming throwback video that’s now stealing hearts across social media: a simple, soulful duet of “Oh My Darling Clementine” with his beloved dog, Annie.
“This was from a couple years ago,” Mulroney captioned the clip, “but Annie’s still here — older than hell but still kicking! Somebody dropped her off at the Cape house because Mom had a COONHOUND X-ING sign by the mailbox.”
As the actor strums his guitar with a weathered familiarity, his raspy baritone fills the frame. Beside him, Annie tilts her head skyward and lets out a mournful, melodic howl that lands somewhere between harmony and pure canine devotion. It’s not just a duet — it’s a moment of unfiltered joy between man and best friend.
From Hollywood to Homegrown Harmony
For many fans, the video is both hilarious and deeply touching — a rare peek into Mulroney’s private world. “We always sang together as a family growing up,” he explained in the post, “but this was me and Annie’s first ever duet.”
That sense of family connection runs deep in Mulroney’s artistic DNA. Long before his commanding turn on Chicago Fire, the actor carved out a decades-long career as one of Hollywood’s most quietly magnetic presences — from My Best Friend’s Wedding to The Family Stone, to his rugged return on NBC’s firefighting hit.
But what many fans don’t realize is that music has always been Mulroney’s first love. A classically trained cellist and longtime guitarist, he’s spent years playing gigs with bands in Los Angeles, blending folk, Americana, and alt-country. In recent months, he’s even teased performances on social media — including a fiery jam session from September 28 that had followers calling for a “Mulroney Unplugged” album.
A Song, a Story, and a Legacy
“Oh My Darling Clementine,” the American folk classic first recorded in the 1800s, takes on new meaning in Mulroney’s living-room rendition. With his signature gravelly timbre, he croons the bittersweet lyrics as Annie joins in, the pair echoing each other in perfect, unpolished rhythm.
It’s the kind of moment that feels pulled straight from a family album — authentic, imperfect, and achingly human.
And for a man whose Chicago Fire storyline has been steeped in grief this season, the timing feels poetic. On screen, Chief Pascal continues to navigate heartbreak after losing his wife in the Season 13 finale. Despite hints of new affection from Annette Davis (Annabeth Gish), Pascal remains haunted by his past — a widower trying to rekindle hope while carrying the weight of leadership.
Off screen, however, Mulroney’s duet with Annie offers a glimpse at something lighter: the comfort of simple connection, the warmth of companionship, and the healing power of song.
Fans Can’t Get Enough
It didn’t take long for the comments section to erupt with love.
“This just made my day!” one fan wrote. “Dermot’s voice and Annie’s howl — perfection.”
Another added, “Give that dog a record deal!”
Even fellow Chicago Fire castmates chimed in, with one joking that “Firehouse 51 just found its next karaoke duo.”
A Flame That Keeps Burning
Mulroney’s followers know him as a man of contrasts — the actor who can command a screen in crisis yet find poetry in the quietest moments of everyday life. And perhaps that’s what makes this video resonate so deeply: it’s the perfect metaphor for who he is, both as an artist and a person.
A leader and a dreamer. A firefighter and a folk singer. A man who still believes in harmony, even after the fires have burned out.
“Annie outlasted both Mom and Dad,” Mulroney joked in his caption, but behind the humor lies something deeply moving — a love that has survived years, losses, and change.
And as his raspy voice blends with Annie’s howl, one thing becomes clear: the Chicago Fire star may spend his days running into burning buildings, but his heart finds its truest home in music — and in the loyal gaze of an old dog who’s still singing along.
Harmony in the Flames: Dermot Mulroney’s Duet with His Dog Annie Is the Sweetest Thing You’ll See All Year.
