DeNNIs HeNSLEY
WRITER
PODCASTer
filmmakeR
GAME CREATOR
HOST
ENTREPRENEUR
You know in that movie Xanadu where Danny (Gene Kelly) convinces Sonny (Michael Beck) to go open up a roller disco with him? I used to think that plot development was preposterous. Sonny was an artist, damnit! He would never give up his art to pursue something as frivolous as roller disco co-ownership.
Forty years into my career as a writer-performer-what have you, I see why Sonny said yes. I’ve had to pivot so many f-ing times in my career that if a cool, old rich guy came along and “Hey kid, let’s open a roller disco!” I would be ALL OVER IT…especially if he called me kid.
Yes, I’ve followed my bliss…but my bliss didn’t always know where it was going. That said, I’m really proud of all the pivoting and the projects that resulted from it.
Scroll down to see some of the stuff I’ve done and might still be doing…assuming I haven’t packed it all in to open up the new Xanadu.
→ About Dennis
DENNIS ANYONE?
a podcast about making things up and making things happen.
I believe art and creativity make and make live worth living and I love talking to people who do it.
Some of my guests are well-known, like actress Julie Hagerty and the late great Leslie Jordan. Some are beautiful strugglers.
But they’ve all made the decision to live creative lives and our lives are so much the better for it.
IT’S A WONDERY LIFE
I started writing scripts for the Wondery podcast company in 2018. First, for the immersive Who-am-I show Imagined Life and more recently for the breakout hit Even the Rich.
I’ve written about everyone from Jessica Simpson to James Baldwin. Some listeners have said they cried while listening which doesn’t surprise me because I often cry writing them, usually in a Starbucks.
Learn more and LISTEN HERE.
LIFECAST
BECAUSE EVERYONE’S GOT A STORY
LIFECAST by DENNIS HENSLEY is a service I created to capture people’s life stories before they get away.
I interview people about their lives, like a podcast, then edit it together with music to create an auditory heirloom that can be enjoyed by loved ones for years to come.
I also cover milestone events like weddings and birthday parties. I’ve even created Lifecasts over Zoom.
Learn more HERE.
films
if we took a holiday
Co-Produced, Co-Wrote & Co-Starred
rubdown
Wrote, Directed & Co-Executive Produced
reunion
Wrote, Directed & Co-Executive Produced
dipshits
Wrote, Co-Directed & Produced
screening party
Wrote, Co-Produced & Starred
testosterone
Co-Wrote
evie harris: shining star
Co-Wrote, Co-Directed & Co-Star
I think movies are the coolest thing ever and I got to direct some, write some and appear in some.
Click the poster image or the title below to WATCH:
THE MISMATCH GAME
before there was snatch game… there was the mismatch game
Dennis Hensley’s The MisMatch Game is a staged comedy game show benefit I’ve been emceeing and producing at the LA LGBT Center since 2004. To date, raised over $200,000 for the Center’s Homeless Youth Program & had a ton o’ fun.
Learn more HERE.
BOOKs
Click the book title to purchase: