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Who is Thomas Lennon?
Thomas is an American actor, comedian, and writer, perhaps best known for his role as Lieutenant Jim Dangle in the comedy series “Reno 911!” He has also appeared in films such as “Night at the Museum”, and its sequels “17 Again” and “I Love You, Man”, and numerous other projects on which he’s worked in his career.
Wiki: Age, Childhood, and Education
Thomas Patrick Lennon was born on 9 August 1970, in Oak Park, Illinois, USA, to parents Timothy and his wife Kathleen Lennon, of Scottish and Irish ancestry. Thomas attended Oak Park and River Forest High School, from which he matriculated in 1988, then enrolled at New York University, from which he obtained his degree. During his time at NYU, Thomas became a part of the comedy troupe The New Group together with Kerri Kenney, whom he met when he was 16 years old at Theatre Camp at Northwestern University.
Career Beginnings
Thomas launched his career as a member of The New Group, later became known as The State. They performed their material at various venues in New York City while also working on the MTV show “You Wrote It, You Watch It”. Their success on the show led to the creation of their own series, “The State”, which aired from 1993 to 1995, and was nominated for Best Comedy Series at the 1995 Cable Ace Awards.
Unfortunately, Thomas and the members of the comedy troupe couldn’t strike a new deal with MTV. After parting ways with MTV, Thomas along with his colleagues Kenney, Robert Ben Garant and Michael Ian Black, embarked on a new venture, creating and starring in the Comedy Central show “Viva Variety” (1997-1999). The program was born from a sketch Lennon had penned for the last season of The State, entitled “The Mr. and Former Mrs. Laupin Variety Programme”. Their comedic efforts paid off, as “Viva Variety” garnered a nomination for Best Comedy Series at the 1997 Cable Ace Awards.
In 2000, Thomas made a memorable appearance in the film “Memento” as a Doctor, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano.
‘Reno 911’ Success
Lennon created the hit comedy series “Reno 911!” alongside his collaborators Kenney and Robert Ben Garant. The show followed the lives and antics of a dysfunctional and inept law enforcement team working for the Reno Sheriff’s Department. Set in Reno, Nevada, the show employed a mockumentary style, presenting the fictional daily operations of the department through improvisational comedy and exaggerated characters.
Lennon’s Lieutenant Jim Dangle was the flamboyant and often clueless leader of the department. Dangle’s signature short shorts and eccentric personality became a defining aspect of the show, contributing to its comedic appeal.
Alongside Lennon, the series featured a talented ensemble, including Cedric Yarbrough, Niecy Nash, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Carlos Alazraqui and Robert Ben Garant. After an impressive six-year run, Thomas Lennon announced via Twitter on 13 August 2009 that “Reno 911!” had come to an end. The news of the show’s cancellation sparked a significant response, as residents and officials of Reno, Nevada, where the series was set, launched a petition to save the beloved comedy.
Thousands of folks have asked me “why doesn’t Lt. Dangle work the check out at @Walmart in #Lake Geneva to benefit Milwaukee Children’s Hospital?” Stop asking: it’s on Friday https://t.co/gsfxjSZ00W pic.twitter.com/miYjuEQouL
— Thomas Lennon (@thomaslennon) July 21, 2021
‘Reno 911’ Revival
“Reno 911!” received an exciting revival announcement on 6 December 2019. The streaming platform Quibi planned to bring back the beloved series in 2020, with the original creators Thomas Lennon, Robert Ben Garant and Kerri Kenney-Silver returning. Lennon expressed his delight at reuniting the original cast for some “re-boot goofin'”, and praised Quibi’s short format as a perfect fit for the show.
Filming for the seventh season commenced in early 2020 and premiered on 4 May – the show’s success led to a renewal for an eighth season, which debuted under the title “Reno 911! Defunded” on The Roku Channel on 25 February 2022.
However, on 23 October 2022, Quibi announced its shutdown. Despite this setback, the series found a new home on Comedy Central. On 30 September 2022, Comedy Central confirmed the return of “Reno 911!” to its original broadcast network. The eighth season aired on Comedy Central from 19 October to 8 December 2022, giving fans another dose of the hilarious adventures of the Reno Sheriff’s Department.
Continued Success and Other Projects
In 2006, Thomas appeared in minor roles in the films “Night at the Museum” and “Let’s Go to Prison”, and he also worked as a writer on these projects. In 2009, he made an uncredited cameo appearance in the film “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian”, portraying Orville Wright, one of the Wright brothers who famously pioneered aviation. Additionally, Lennon contributed to the film as a writer.
From 2010 to 2011, he was Richard, the co-pilot in the television series “Funny or Die Presents”. He also lent his voice to the animated show “Planet Sheen” from 2010 to 2013, portraying Pinter and Blurg across 15 episodes.
In 2013, Lennon took on multiple roles in the horror-comedy film “Hell Baby”. Not only did he act in the movie as Pat, but he also served as a writer, producer, and director alongside Robert Ben Garant. From 2013 to 2014, Thomas portrayed Max Thompson in the television series “Sean Saves the World”, appearing in 14 episodes.
Following this, Lennon took on various voice and minor roles in several projects.
From 2017 to 2019, he had recurring roles in two television series – in “Santa Clarita Diet”, he portrayed Principal Novak, appearing in a total of six episodes. The show follows the lives of a suburban couple, played by Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, whose lives take an unexpected turn when the wife becomes a zombie.
In “Lethal Weapon”, Lennon played Leo Getz, also in a recurring role. The series is based on the popular action-comedy film franchise of the same name, starring Damon Wayans and Clayne Crawford.
In 2018, Lennon had a notable role in the film “A Futile and Stupid Gesture” as Michael O’Donoghue. The movie explored the life of Doug Kenney, one of the co-founders of the humor magazine National Lampoon.
Also in 2018, Thomas Lennon worked on several other projects. In the film “The 15:17 to Paris”, he portrayed Principal Michael Akers. Directed by Clint Eastwood, the movie tells the true story of the 2015 Thalys train attack, in which three American friends prevented a terrorist attack on a train bound for Paris. The film stars Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos, and Anthony Sadler, who play themselves in the re-enactment of the heroic event.
Lennon also appeared as Darren in the film “Half Magic”, starring Heather Graham, Angela Kinsey and Stephanie Beatriz. Directed by Heather Graham, the movie follows the journey of three women who bond together to empower themselves and seek fulfillment in their personal and professional lives.
Furthermore, Lennon had a role in the film “Dog Days” as Greg. This heartwarming comedy-drama revolves around the interconnected stories of various people and their canine companions. The film featured an ensemble including Nina Dobrev, Vanessa Hudgens, Eva Longoria, and Finn Wolfhard, among others.
From 2019 to 2021, Thomas lent his voice to the character Wizard Whitebeard in the animated series “Where’s Waldo?”, taking on the main role of this iconic character, known for his long white beard and magical abilities. The show is based on the popular children’s book series, and follows the adventures of Waldo and his friends as they embark on exciting quests and search for hidden objects.
Recent Work
From 2020 to 2021, Thomas Lennon appeared in the television series “Supergirl” as Mr. Mxyzpltk. He had a rather busy 2021, taking on multiple roles – in the film “Cherry”, Lennon portrayed Dr. Whomever, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. The movie follows the story of a young man who becomes an Army medic, but later descends into addiction and crime. Lennon also appeared in the film “Shoplifters of the World” as Uncle Dick. The movie is set in the 1980s, and revolves around a group of friends dealing with the break-up of their favorite band. It features a young cast, including Helena Howard and Ellar Coltrane.
Lennon also appeared in the television series “The Big Leap” as Zach Peterman. The show revolves around a diverse group of people who audition for a dance competition reality show. Lennon’s Zach Peterman is a television producer, and the host of the show within the series.
Currently, Thomas is working on several projects, including the film “Zoey 102”, which is a continuation of the beloved teen drama series “Zoey 101”, starring Jamie Lynn Spears, Lennon, and Erin Sanders.
Additionally, Lennon reprised his iconic role as Lieutenant Jim Dangle in “Reno 911! The Hunt for QAnon”, which he also wrote and was an executive producer. The film is a continuation of the comedy series “Reno 911!” and follows the beloved characters as they embark on an adventure to apprehend a QAnon conspiracy theorist.
In 2022, Lennon appeared as a salesman in “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”, a biographical comedy based on the life and career of musician “Weird Al” Yankovic.
Furthermore, Lennon lent his voice once again to Theodore Roosevelt in “Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again”, continuing the popular franchise that brings museum exhibits to life.
Accomplished Writer
Thomas Lennon is not only an accomplished actor but also a talented writer. He’s authored three successful young adult novels: “Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles”, “Ronan Boyle and the Swamp of Certain Death”, and “Ronan Boyle Into the Strange Place” – the first book even made it onto the prestigious New York Times Bestseller list.
Lennon’s writing prowess extends beyond novels, as he also penned the book for the theatrical production of “Trading Places: The Musical!” This musical adaptation premiered at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta in June 2022.
Net Worth
According to authoritative sources, Thomas Lennon’s net worth is estimated at $6 million, as of mid-2023.
Personal Life, Dating, Married, Wife, Children
Thomas Lennon has been married to actress Jenny Robertson since 2002. The couple has one child, a son named Oliver, born in 2009. The family splits time between houses in Los Angeles and Wisconsin.
Thomas is a huge Morrissey and The Smiths fan. Sometimes, he plays with the tribute band Tender Hooligans as a guitarist.
Appearance and Body Measurements
Thomas Lennon has brown hair and brown eyes. He stands at a height of 5ft 8ins (1.73m), while he weighs approximately 155 lbs (70kgs). His vital statistics are unknown, but he has an average build.
