Gary Lennon
{{short description|American Screenwriter}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Gary Lennon
| occupation = Playwright, Television writer, producer, director, showrunner
| yearsactive = 1991–present
}}
Gary Lennon is an American playwright, television writer and executive producer.{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2019/dirt/real-estate/gary-lennon-house-los-feliz-power-showrunner-1203200463/|title='Power' Showrunner Gary Lennon Buys in Los Feliz, Lists in Mid-Wilshire|last=McClain|first=James|date=2019-04-29|work=Variety|access-date=2019-05-13}}{{Cite web|url=http://writeononline.com/2013/03/19/author-qa-gary-lennon-a-family-thing/|title=Author Q&A: Gary Lennon, "A Family Thing"|date=2013-03-19|via=Write On Online|access-date=2019-05-13}} Lennon is currently the showrunner of Power Book IV: Force on Starz, and he is credited with elevating the series to critical acclaim after he stepped into the role in its second season.{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/reviews/power-book-iv-force-season-2-review-1235697061/amp/|title=Starz's 'Power Book IV: Force' Is Transformed in Season 2 by a Ruthless Performance From Joseph Sikora: TV Review|last=Tinubu|first=Aramide|date=2023-08-31|work=Variety|access-date=2024-06-16}} Lennon is also reported to be working on expanding the Power universe to additional spinoffs in his overall development deal with Lionsgate Television.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/gary-lennon-extends-lionsgate-television-deal-1235854725/|title='Power Book IV: Force' Showrunner Gary Lennon Extends Lionsgate Television Deal|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|date=2024-03-11|work=Deadline|access-date=2024-06-16}} Lennon was previously the co-showrunner of Power and Hightown, both for Starz and Lionsgate.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/power-gary-lennon-promoted-co-showrunner-courtney-kemp-50-cent-starz-1202424810/|title=Gary Lennon Upped To 'Power' Co-Showrunner For Season 6|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=2018-07-11|work=Deadline|access-date=2018-04-01}}{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2017/11/heroin-epidemic-drama-p-town-in-starz-from-jerry-bruckheimer-tv-1202213966/|title=Heroin Epidemic Drama 'P-Town' In Works At Starz From 'Gotham' Alum, 'Power' EP & Jerry Bruckheimer TV|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=2017-11-27|work=Deadline|access-date=2019-05-13}} He is also an executive producer on Euphoria for HBO.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/hbo-picks-teen-drama-euphoria-adds-drake-as-executive-producer-1130660|title=HBO Orders 'Euphoria' to Series, Drake Joins as Executive Producer|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=2018-07-30|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2019-05-13}} In 2013, Lennon won a Peabody Award for the first season of Orange is the New Black along with his fellow writers and producers.{{cite web|url=https://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/orange-is-the-new-black-netflix/|title=Orange is the New Black (Netflix)|access-date=2019-05-13}}
Early life
Lennon grew up in Hell's Kitchen. He was orphaned by age 11, he dropped out of high school, and he did not attend college.{{cite web|url=https://kammiller.com/writer-producer-gary-lennon-hells-kitchen-kid-to-hollywood-baller/|title=Hells Kitchen Kid To Hollywood Baller|last=Miller|first=Kam|access-date=2019-05-13}}
Career
Lennon began his career as an aspiring actor. He studied under Geraldine Page, who encouraged him to write about his own life. Lennon compiled his monologues to create his first play, Blackout.{{Cite web|url=http://artsinla.com/Meet_the_Artists.html|title=To Tell The Truth|last=Margolies|first=Dany|work=Arts in LA|access-date=2019-05-13}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-apr-25-et-nichols25-story.html|title='Blackout' explores culture of sobriety|last=Nichols|first=David C.|date=2003-04-25|newspaper=LA Times|access-date=2019-05-13}} After being rejected by the Circle Repertory Company as a young playwright, Lennon left one of his plays backstage at a theater attended by Marshall W. Mason, the founder of the company. Mason read the play that Lennon had addressed to him, and set him up on his first meetings.
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Award !Category !Work !Result |
| 2011
|rowspan=4|Justified |{{Won}} |
| 2011
|{{Won}} |
| 2011
|{{nom}} |
| 2011
|AFI Award Honoree for Television Program of the Year |{{Won}} |
| 2013
|rowspan=4|Orange Is the New Black |{{nom}} |
| 2014
|{{nom}} |
| 2014
|{{Won}} |
| 2015
|Danny Thomas Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television - Comedy |{{Won}} |
| 2018
|rowspan=2|Power |{{Won}} |
| 2019
|{{Won}} |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|nm0502039}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lennon, Gary}}