In 1988, he made his first significant TV-movie "Alone in the Neon Jungle", in which he lent support to police chief Suzanne Pleshette. Tenney's feature film work has yet to reap leads. He had small roles in "Guilty By Suspicion" and "Tombstone" (both 1993), was one of the cops made to look foolish by Eddie Murphy in "Beverly Hills Cop III" and was the father of the boy "Lassie" (both 1994) befriends in the update of the collie's adventures. Tenney also played a reporter seen briefly in "Nixon" (1995) and was seen as the playboy vying for the affection of Kristy Swanson in "The Phantom" (1996).