Henrick Vartanian
Dennis Hemphill is just about as “Hollywood” as most tinsel-towners. Any actor here can be featured in back-to-back episodes of a hit TV show, this month, and then wait endlessly for a new gig, next month and months after that. But, after Living in L.A. for years, this Texas native has learned to adapt to the industry, the competition and the technology.
The stand-up comedic actor (and now director) has been performing almost non-stop at local comedy clubs, while chasing the Hollywood dream by keeping focused on the goal and simply keeping at it. He has starred in “Bring It On Again” (2004) and a number of independent movies. But it’s been a series of self-produced videos that have brought the actor 50,000,000 hits (yes, thats five-o) in a few months, with over 30,000 subscribers to his HUMMPY channel on You Tube. His widely popular “Not Twilight” spoofing the “Twilight” film franchise has made the comedic actor one of the most popular not-so Edward (the vampire) in the world. Clearly, Hemphill has learned the art of self-promotion and the value of persistence.
Explaining his personality on and off stage, he claims to be holding on to comedy for dear life, or holding on to dear life with the help of comedy. Like most comedic performers there is the yin and yang element present even in our recent Q&A with the man.
Who is Dennis Hemphill? What kind of a person is he?
I’m happy one second and then 2.4 seconds later I think my world is coming to an end. I am very up and down. But love making people laugh.
How did you get into comedy? I got into by hanging out with my grandmother…Mimi.
How so?
I grew up in Texas. My family! They were my comedic influence. Always encouraging. Always joking with each other. My grandmother was the best. She is my ultimate comedic influence, very charismatic.
How is life in Los Angeles? 
I moved to Los Angeles in 1994 and it has been a crazy emotional roller coaster for me. I have achieved a lot – things that I’m very proud of, such as costarring in ‘Bring It On Again’ the sequel to, you guessed it. I was also a part of the Groundling’s Sunday Company for a year and a half. I feel like my writing ability really took off there. But I’m still looking for the big break . I just try and focus on my accomplishments to keep me going. No matter what, I think I’m doing what I should be doing.
Today, you are an actor, writer, director and an overall entrepreneur, in charge of managing your career and the opportunities that come along. Is that enjoyable, or does it get to be too much at times?
Ultimately, I do this because it makes me very happy. Plus, I really hope it makes me a lot of money. The ‘Twilight’ spoof I did has opened up doors for me. I was repped by Kristen Wiig’s agent for 3 seconds (he laughs). Summit Entertainment even pulled my video clips from YouTube claiming copyright infringement (shrugs). YouTube is just the most amazing tool for the modern actor. More than anything I want to sink my teeth into a dark, dark moving drama, (finishing with a straight face).
You are very hands-on with your career. How do you make use of opportunities and keep doing all the things you must do: booking shows, taking advantage of technology, to keep moving forward?
It’s an age-old story in the business. Nobody else is going to make your career happen for you. The amount of power an actor has on his or her career is astounding if you think about it. If I make one right connection it could lead to the role that puts me in front of the world.
So, what’s funny to you? 
Physical comedy is funny to me. Someone playing the victim, like Ben Stiller in ‘Meet the Parents.” A good comedy is something so smart that you never thought of it, so it surprises you or it can be something so simple that you never thought of and that surprises you too. All the while though you relate to it.
Who are the funniest superstars working today and why do you think they are successful?
Will Ferrell, Jim Carrey, Zach Galifianakis are the three best modern comedians today. They can be in a room and connect with everyone. They are extremely charismatic and engaging. I also grew up pissing my pants watching Martin Short. I love that guy. If I don’t get to meet him and talk shop I will die unhappy.
What are you working on?
I’m working on exploring my stand up. I want to do stand up on TV very badly. For everything else you can find me on Facebook.
Why should people come and see you?
People should come and see me because whether they think I’m funny or not they will walk away saying, “Well, I’ve never seen that before” or “That’s something you don’t see everyday” (big smile).