Louis Ferrigno Jr. has a recurring role on 9-1-1 and he plays a very intriguing character. 9-1-1 is a 2018 Ryan Murphy show about the emergency service first responders who work in LA. The police officers, paramedics, firefighters, and dispatchers are all featured in equal measure, and the series stars several outstanding actors like Angela Basset, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Aisha Hinds, and Kenneth Choi. Despite some of the over-the-top emergencies in 9-1-1, the relationships between the characters feel grounded and are the reason the show has lasted seven seasons.
One of the recurring characters on 9-1-1 is played by Louis Ferrigno Jr., son of Lou Sr., of The Incredible Hulk fame, and Carla Green, Lou’s wife since 1980 (they separated in 2023). Ferrigno Jr. followed his father into acting with some minor roles in 2012, before gaining his first notable role, a three-episode stint as Louis in How I Met Your Mother. He has also appeared in S.W.A.T. as Donovan Rocker and Outer Banks as Ryan. In movies, he played Jackson Jacobs in Blackout and Colton in Dreamcatcher. He also has a supporting role on 9-1-1.
Louis Ferrigno Jr. plays Tommy Kinard in 9-1-1, a former firefighter with Station 118 who ends up working as a pilot for the LAFD Air Operations. Tommy first appears in season 2, episode 9, “Hen Begins”, where he is cold to all the newcomer firefighters. Eventually, after Chimney saves him from a gas explosion, Tommy warms to the outsiders and becomes one of the squad. In season 2, episode 16, “Bobby Begins Again”, Tommy transfers to Station 217, and his friends throw him a going away party.
Ferrigno’s performance is nuanced, and he makes Tommy a charming and confident young firefighter and pilot. When he first appears, Ferrigno plays Tommy as an overconfident jerk who wants nothing to do with the new characters coming into his station. The actor then manages to thaw Tommy in a way that feels natural and earned, never losing sight of the character, and keeping his personality the same while showing legitimate growth.
Tommy left the show after season 2, episode 16, “Bobby Begins Again”, but Ferrigno Jr. returned to 9-1-1 in season 7. The most important part of Tommy’s story in 9-1-1 comes in his return, which is his relationship with Buck (Oliver Stark). Tommy is openly gay, but Buck’s feelings for Tommy confuse him. After trying to express himself to Tommy, the pilot leans in to kiss him and the two agree to go on a date. However, when Buck sees friends from the station, he says he and Tommy are just friends.
Tommy understands but tells Buck that he is not ready for a relationship like this yet. Buck gets past his fears and decides he does want to be involved with Tommy, and he invites him as his date to his sister Maddie’s wedding. Tommy plays a significant part in helping Buck grow and figure out his sexuality, a step forward in Buck’s development from an impulsive young man into someone who better understands himself.
It’s not clear what’s next for Tommy, but as he’s most recently agreed to be Buck’s date to the wedding, it’s possible that Lou Ferrigno Jr. will have an extended role on 9-1-1 in the future. His and Buck’s relationship could prove to be the show’s next big romance after Maddie and Chimney get married.
