The actor and writer of many talents stakes a claim to his comedic set.
By Justin Monroe; Photography by Chris McPherson; (HAIR) GINA BONAQUISTI; (MAKEUP) SHAUNA GIESBRECHT; (PHOTOS) HOMELESS MAN: ISTOCK
He’s never been featured in a Kings of Comedy movie, but Thomas Lennon wears a crown. If ye doubt, simply watch as the 38-year-old actor and writer rules over improv stages, movie theaters and the boob tube this spring. Best known as closeted, short-shorts-clad Lieutenant Jim Dangle on Reno 911! Lennon can be seen playing Paul Rudd’s man-date in I Love You, Man; Zac Efron’s dorky BFF in 17 Again; and Wilbur, one half of the Wright Brothers, in Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian (which he co-wrote with his regular writing partner, Ben Garant). In between his myriad projects, he sat with Complex to discuss testicle insurance and glory holes (in that order).
Are you ever concerned that your 911 calls might go unanswered because Reno parodies cops?
Thomas Lennon: Certainly, but cops love the show so much, it’s almost weird. It actually got me out of some serious trouble not too long ago. I looked out my front porch late at night and saw a guy with bolt cutters stealing my bicycle. I did what any concerned citizen would do: I chased him with my BB rifle for three blocks until he threw the bike down and ran. What I didn’t know was that all my neighbors had called the cops saying, “There’s a man with a rifle running in the middle of the street saying he’s gonna kill somebody.” The guy didn’t have my bike anymore, so it basically looked like I was just a crazed guy on a shooting rampage.
But the cops recognized you?
Thomas Lennon: Of the 17 cops that showed up on the scene, the 17th was a big fan.
How ironic. Dangle’s bike always gets stolen on Reno.
Thomas Lennon: Yeah, that was a level of irony that was not really that funny when I was handcuffed in the cop car.
Are you considered a gay icon for your work as Lt. Dangle?
Thomas Lennon: I think I was once in a photo quiz in Out magazine called “Match the gay icon with the photo.” So, I guess so, yes.
Dangle’s become a pretty popular Halloween costume. Is there any concern about what those imposters are out there doing?
Thomas Lennon: Oh, I’d say there’s nothing but concern—I mean, any dude who really, really wants to dress up like Lt. Dangle for Halloween has probably got some issues. He either wants to shave his legs or try the pantyhose. It’s a gateway costume. Next Halloween you might be dressed up like Frank N. Furter.
Seeing as the uniform consists of tight short-shorts, have you insured your testicles?
Thomas Lennon:
Speaking of workplace hazards, you’ve got a make-out scene with Paul Rudd in I Love You, Man. Word on the street is he was botching takes so he could keep kissing you.
Thomas Lennon: Rudd didn’t ruin any takes, but [director] John Hamburg wanted tons of takes for some reason. We did like 25 or 30. I think the one in the film is the first take.
So, if you woke up as a teenage Zac Efron, like Matthew Perry in 17 Again, what are the first three things you’d do?
Thomas Lennon: Run up three flights of stairs, do 100 crunches, then make out with Helen Mirren.
“Zac and Mirren Make a Porno!”—I smell a sequel. Anyway, you channeled Wilbur Wright for Night at the Museum 2. If you could have a conversation with one historical figure, who would it be?
Thomas Lennon: Jesus, as portrayed by Graham Chapman in 1979. I don’t think I’d understand the real Jesus, if he spoke Aramaic.
FX has the rights to Formosa, a series you and Ben Garant conceived about the early days of the porn industry. Are you sitting on a pile of old stag films for “research”?
Thomas Lennon: No, but we have one really weird book that has what I suspect is one of the earliest documented glory holes.
When was that?
Thomas Lennon: 1920s? Our show was actually set in the ’30s, but I think, judging by the underwear and the quality of the stills, it was a 1920s glory hole.
There’s a huge difference—scholars say the Great Depression set back glory-hole design 20 years. People need to consider the history of the glory hole.
Thomas Lennon: I don’t know how much there is, other than somebody cut a hole right at about two-and-a-half, three feet in the wall and then, boom.
True, but humans have gotten bigger over the years…
Thomas Lennon: Yeah, it’s probably moved an inch or two.
