| Lenford "Lenny" Leonard
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| Character Information
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He is a nasal-voiced friend and co-worker of Homer at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. A Chicago native, he is unmarried, a Buddhist, often described as plain looking, and though possessing a master's degree he's undeniably dumb.
life
His living arrangements have included a house that is literally falling apart around him and a beautifully furnished apartment that shares a glass wall with a jai alai court. His relationship with Carl Carlson is complicated. Lifelong friends, Lenny clearly adores Carl. Carl is the dominant partner and generally regards Lenny coolly. They are nonetheless constant companions. Lenny is a persistent bachelor with poor luck with women. However, Carl mentioned singing "The Best is yet to Come" at Lenny's wedding. When Mr. Burns became bankrupt, the bank puts Lenny in charge of the plant.
Sensitive
Lenny also has a very sensitive eye; he is not supposed to get pudding or jigsaw puzzle pieces in it. During the series, he also succeeds in getting a spring caught in his eye (this has become a running gag). . Lenny was also in a horror movie called "The Re-Deadening", about a doll who is possessed by spirit of a psychotic killer (see Child's Play). In the movie, Lenny is a gardener who is killed by the doll.
Politics
Lenny is probably a Republican since he has a tattoo on his chest supporting Bob Dole and Jack Kemp from the 1996 presidential election (or because he just wanted a flag tattoo). However, a few years earlier he had described himself as "politically correct" and that local talk show host Birch Barlow's right-wing views made him "uncomfortable". Homer also mentions that Lenny was a three-time juror and a war hero, though Homer does not know what war Lenny fought in.
Companionship
It has been hinted several times that Lenny and Carl might be gay, most notably in "Half-Decent Proposal" when Lenny tells Homer about Mt. Carlmore, a mountain that he carved Carl's face into "one wonderful summer". Season 16 has given more hints (or awareness) that they might be gay. In one episode, after Homer runs out of homosexual couples who need to be wed, he wonders where Lenny and Carl are, but Marge says they have to work it out for themselves. In another episode, when Lenny asks if Chief Wiggum will be his "Rapture buddy", Wiggum responds by saying "What's wrong with Carl? Trouble in paradise?".
