output comment_author in array

Question

In functions.php for part of custom comments, I have the following echoed array as the link to respond to a previous comment:

<?php echo comment_reply_link(array(
"before" => " <span class=\"comment-reply-link\">", 
"after" => "</span>", 
"reply_text" => "Reply to this comment", 
"depth" => $depth, 
"max_depth" => $args["max_depth"] 
));  
?>

I am trying to get the link to replace the word "this" with the comment_author().

I am a novice at php, and have tried every syntax I can think of but have failed. I would appreciate if someone can help me with this.

To be clear, I'm looking for a way to make the following work.

<?php echo comment_reply_link(array(
"before" => " <span class=\"comment-reply-link\">", 
"after" => "</span>", 
"reply_text" => "Reply to " . echo comment_author() here . "'s comment", 
"depth" => $depth, 
"max_depth" => $args["max_depth"] 
));  
?>

Thank-You

Answer 1

I finally figured it out.

I was trying to call the wrong wp function.

By using "get_comment_author()" instead of "comment_author()" the link displays as desired.

Note: I couldn't find a way to either delete the question, or, to add the answer using my original email address...kind of strange way to control a board.

Thanks anyway,

the OP, Dave