Who Am I?

Lenny D. Thomas (born Leonard Douglas Thomas) is a New York City–based actor, producer, and storyteller best known for his commanding role as Dikahn in Tyler Perry’s acclaimed series “Ruthless” on BET+. With a blend of grit, heart, and artistry, Lenny has built a career defined by resilience and reinvention — both on and off screen.

His breakout performance in Ruthless—a dark, emotional drama following a woman’s entanglement in a dangerous religious cult—marked a pivotal chapter in Lenny’s journey. Booking the series entirely through a self-tape, Lenny’s story embodies the discipline and determination of a modern working actor.

In 2025, Lenny produced and starred in his most personal and ambitious project to date: the independent feature film “Beggarman.” This powerful story of survival and redemption represents the biggest leap of his career — merging his experience as a performer with his growing voice as a producer and creative visionary. Distributed by Buffalo 8 and released on September 5, 2025, Beggarman solidifies Lenny’s place as one of the most dynamic and purpose-driven artists of his generation.

Born and raised in New York City, Lenny’s path to acting was anything but conventional. A former athlete whose football dreams were derailed by a life-altering accident at 13, he discovered the stage through an improv class in high school and later trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre under the illustrious James Brill. His dedication to craft and truth in performance led to roles in The Blacklist, The Punisher, The Enemy Within, The Oval, and a host of indie films including Blood Conscious and The Things In Between.

Beyond acting, Lenny is deeply invested in empowering others through storytelling, mentorship, and his nonprofit work with The Lenny D. Thomas Foundation, advocating for awareness around Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), mental health, and veteran support.

Now back in New York City, Lenny continues to create across film, television, and digital platforms — crafting stories that move, heal, and inspire.