Known for movies

Short Info

Date Of BirthSeptember 4, 1960
SpouseLisa Thorner, Lisa Thorner
FactMichael Kyle, his character on My Wife and Kids (2001), was ranked #27 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].
PaymentsEarned $3,000,000 from Bulletproof (1996)


Damon Wayans is an American actor, comedian, writer and producer, and member of the Wayans family of entertainers. He began his career as a stand-up comedian before gaining prominence for his role as Michael Richards on the ABC sitcom My Wife and Kids. He has since starred in a number of films and television shows, including the buddy cop film The Last Boy Scout and the satirical sitcom In Living Color.

Wayans was born in New York City on September 4, 1960, the son of Elvira Alethia (Green), a homemaker, and Howell Stouten Wayans, a supermarket manager. His family was involved in the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith. Wayans has nine siblings, all of whom are successful entertainers in their own right: brothers Dwayne, Keenen, Marlon, Shawn and Nadia; and sisters Kim, Elvira, Diedre and Vonnie. He was raised in the Queensbridge housing projects in New York City’s borough of Queens.

Wayans began his career as a stand-up comedian in 1982. He soon began appearing on television shows such as Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In 1986, he landed his breakout role as Michael Richards on the ABC sitcom My Wife and Kids. The show ran for five seasons and was a ratings success.

In 1992, Wayans starred in the buddy cop film The Last Boy Scout alongside Bruce Willis. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $100 million at the box office.

In 1994, Wayans created and starred in the Fox sketch comedy series In Living Color. The show was a critical and commercial success, winning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series in 1990. It launched the careers of several of its cast members, including Jim Carrey, Jennifer Lopez and Jamie Foxx.

Wayans has since starred in a number of films and television shows, including the action films Major Payne (1995) and Bulletproof (1996), and the sitcom My Wife and Kids (2001-2005). He has also produced and written several films, including Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) and Scary Movie (2000).

As of 2021, Damon Wayans’ net worth is $35 million. He has earned his wealth through his successful career as an actor, comedian, writer and producer.

General Info

Full NameDamon Wayans
Date Of BirthSeptember 4, 1960
Height1.88 m, 1.88 m
ProfessionScreenwriter, Television producer, Comedian, Film producer, Author, Film director, Actor, Television Director, Actor, Comedian, Author, Film director, Film producer, Screenwriter, Television Director, Television producer
EducationMurry Bergtraum High School, Murry Bergtraum High School
NationalityAmerican, American

Family

SpouseLisa Thorner, Lisa Thorner
ChildrenDamon Wayans Jr., Michael Wayans, Cara Mia Wayans, Kyla Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr., Michael Wayans, Cara Mia Wayans, Kyla Wayans
ParentsHowell Wayans, Elvira Wayans, Howell Wayans, Elvira Wayans
SiblingsMarlon Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Dwayne Wayans, Kim Wayans, Elvira Wayans, Nadia Wayans, Diedre Wayans, Vonnie Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Dwayne Wayans, Kim Wayans, Elvira Wayans, Nadia Wayans, Diedre Wayans, Vonnie Wayans

Accomplishments

AwardsPeople's Choice Award for Favorite Actor in a New TV Series, People's Choice Award for Favorite Actor in a New TV Series
NominationsMTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing - Variety Series, Satellite Award for Best Actor - Television Series Musical or Comedy, Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance - Variety Or Music Program, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy...
MoviesMajor Payne, Blankman, Mo' Money, The Last Boy Scout, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, Bamboozled, Marci X, Bulletproof, Celtic Pride, Earth Girls Are Easy, Hollywood Shuffle, Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, The Great White Hype, Harlem Aria, Punchline, Beverly Hill...
TV ShowsLethal Weapon, My Wife and Kids, In Living Color, The Underground, Saturday Night Live, Waynehead, 413 Hope St., Damon, Rodney, Lethal Weapon, My Wife and Kids, In Living Color, The Underground, Saturday Night Live, Waynehead, 413 Hope St., Damon, Rodney

Social profile links

Salary

TitleSalary
Bulletproof (1996)$3,000,000

Quotes

#Quote
1There are my kinds of comedians. The observational humorist, the impressionist, the character creator, the physical comedian, the self-deprecator and the dirty joke teller. What made Richard Pryor so brilliant is he was able to incorporate all these styles at once.
2My father was very strict. The rules were that everyone had to be upstairs in the house at 6 o'clock every night including weekends. It was forced interaction, but my father never stopped us from having fun.
3I don't ever want to be Number One because once you become Number One, you start to change. You get scrutinized on everything you do and you're suddenly afraid to take chances. I need to take chances. I need to work. I don't want to be a superstar.

Facts

#Fact
1Has seven grandchildren.
2Was diagnosed with type II Diabetes in 2013.
3Granddaughter, Ava Marie Jean, was born February 13, 2014.
4Friends with Michael Jordan, and Jim Carrey.
5Is the author of "Bootleg," a humorous compilation of his own observations with regards to family, children, marriage and politics. The book quickly reached the New York Times Bestseller List in 1999.
6Michael Kyle, his character on My Wife and Kids (2001), was ranked #27 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].
7While filming Earth Girls Are Easy (1988), it took approximately 2-1/2 hours for him and co-stars Jeff Goldblum and Jim Carrey to be suited up as the aliens.
8Along with co-stars Jeff Goldblum and Jim Carrey, his voice was dubbed in certain scenes for Earth Girls Are Easy (1988).
9Children: Damon Wayans Jr. (b. 1982), Michael Wayans (b. 1985), Cara Mia Wayans (b. 1987), and Kyla Wayans (b. 1991).
10Brother of Dwayne Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Kim Wayans, Nadia Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans. Also has sisters Elvira, Diedre, and Vonnie. Cousin of Craig Wayans. Uncle of Damien Dante Wayans.

Pictures

Movies

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Eye Shat2009TV Movie
Giuseppe2009TV Short written by
RodneyTV Series creator - 43 episodes, 2004 - 2008 story - 1 episode, 2004
The UndergroundTV Series creator - 11 episodes, 2006 writer - 10 episodes, 2006
Behind the Smile2006written by
Premium Blend2005-2006TV Series writer - 5 episodes
My Wife and KidsTV Series creator - 123 episodes, 2001 - 2005 written by - 6 episodes, 2001 - 2002
Damon1998TV Series creator - 10 episodes
413 Hope St.1997-1998TV Series creator - 10 episodes
Major Payne1995screenplay
Blankman1994screenplay / story
Soul Train Comedy Awards1993TV Special
In Living ColorTV Series 9 episodes, 1992 - 1993 writer - 68 episodes, 1990 - 1992 special material - 6 episodes, 1992 - 1993
Mo' Money1992written by
The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime1991TV Special documentary writer
A Comedy Salute to Michael Jordan1991TV Movie
Damon Wayans: The Last Stand?1990TV Special documentary
One Night Stand1989TV Series 1 episode

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Lethal Weapon2016TV SeriesRoger Murtaugh
Herd Mentality2011TV MovieJimmy Crowder
Happy Endings2011TV SeriesFrancis Williams
Never Better2008TV MovieKeith
The Underground2006TV SeriesVarious
Behind the Smile2006Charlie Richman
Farce of the Penguins2006Hey, That's My Ass! Penguin (voice)
My Wife and Kids2001-2005TV SeriesMichael Kyle
Marci X2003Dr. S
In Living Color1990-2001TV SeriesVarious / Homey D. Clown / Godfrey Hedley / ...
Bamboozled2000Pierre Delacroix
Goosed1999Dr. Steven Hamel
Harlem Aria1999Wes
Damon1998TV SeriesDamon Thomas
Bulletproof1996Keats
The Great White Hype1996James 'The Grim Reaper' Roper
Celtic Pride1996Lewis Scott
Saturday Night Live1985-1995TV SeriesVarious / Ned Jones / Host / ...
Major Payne1995Maj. Benson Payne
Blankman1994Darryl Walker
Last Action Hero1993Damon Wayans
Mo' Money1992Johnny Stewart
The Last Boy Scout1991Jimmy Dix
Look Who's Talking Too1990Voice of Eddie (voice)
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka1988Leonard
Punchline1988Percy
Earth Girls Are Easy1988Zeebo
Colors1988T-Bone
A Different World1987TV SeriesMarvin Haven
Roxanne1987Jerry
Sweet Surrender1987TV SeriesRay
Hollywood Shuffle1987Body Guard #2 / Willie
Triplecross1986TV MovieOrnery Character #1
Beverly Hills Cop1984Banana Man

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Eye Shat2009TV Movie executive producer
Giuseppe2009TV Short executive producer
Never Better2008TV Movie executive producer
The Underground2006TV Series executive producer - 11 episodes
Behind the Smile2006producer
My Wife and Kids2001-2005TV Series executive producer - 123 episodes
Harlem Aria1999executive producer
Damon1998TV Series executive producer - 10 episodes
413 Hope St.1997-1998TV Series executive producer - 10 episodes
Waynehead1996-1997TV Series executive producer - 13 episodes
Damon Wayans: Still Standing1997TV Movie executive producer
Major Payne1995executive producer
Blankman1994executive producer
Mo' Money1992executive producer
Damon Wayans: The Last Stand?1990TV Special documentary executive producer

Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Eye Shat2009TV Movie
Giuseppe2009TV Short
The Underground2006TV Series 11 episodes
Behind the Smile2006

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Marci X2003performer: "Power in My Pants", "In the Butt", "Marci X"
Mo' Money1992performer: "Mo' Money Groove"
In Living Color1990-1991TV Series performer - 5 episodes

Miscellaneous

TitleYearStatusCharacter
My Wife and Kids2001TV Series story editor - 2004

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Chris Rock: Bring the Pain1996TV Special documentary special thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Real2016TV SeriesHimself
Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show2016TV SeriesHimself
The Late Late Show with James Corden2016TV SeriesHimself
The 68th Primetime Emmy Awards2016TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
Extra2016TV SeriesHimself
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon2014TV SeriesHimself - Guest Comic
The Improv: 50 Years Behind the Brick Wall2013TV Movie documentaryHimself
In the House with Peter Bart & Peter Guber2010TV Series
Chelsea Lately2010TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Tavis Smiley2006-2010TV SeriesHimself
The Wendy Williams Show2010TV SeriesHimself
Rachael Ray2010TV SeriesHimself
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy2009DocumentaryHimself
Jimmy Kimmel Live!2008TV SeriesHimself
The View2002-2007TV SeriesHimself
BET Awards 20062006TV SpecialHimself - Host
In the Cutz2006TV Series
Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith2006TV SeriesHimself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1995-2006TV SeriesHimself
Legends Ball2006TV Movie documentaryHimself
Premium Blend2005-2006TV SeriesHimself - Host
BET Comedy Awards2004TV SpecialHimself
The Oprah Winfrey Show2004TV SeriesHimself
Last Call with Carson Daly2004TV SeriesHimself
Late Night with Conan O'Brien1999-2004TV SeriesHimself
Live with Kelly and Michael2004TV SeriesHimself
The 55th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards2003TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration2003TV Special documentaryHimself
34th NAACP Image Awards2003TV SpecialHimself
The 30th Annual American Music Awards2003TV SpecialHimself
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn2002TV SeriesHimself
The Daily Show1999-2002TV SeriesHimself
The 4th Annual Family Television Awards2002TV SpecialHimself
8th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards2002TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
Inside TV Land: African Americans in Television2002TV Movie documentaryHimself
The 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards2002TV Special documentaryHimself - Presenter: Best Actress in a TV Series Drama
The 28th Annual People's Choice Awards2002TV SpecialHimself
My VH1 Music Awards2001TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
Primetime Glick2001TV SeriesHimself
The Making of 'Bamboozled'2001Video documentary
All Jokes Aside2000DocumentaryHimself
Comedy Central Canned Ham2000TV SeriesHimself
Intimate Portrait2000TV Series documentaryHimself
Biography1996-2000TV Series documentaryHimself
1999 ALMA Awards1999TV SpecialHimself
The Mark Twain Prize: Richard Pryor1999TV MovieHimself
The Howard Stern Radio Show1999TV SeriesHimself
The 19th Annual CableACE Awards1997TV SpecialHimself
Late Show with David Letterman1994-1997TV SeriesHimself
Damon Wayans: Still Standing1997TV MovieHimself - Comedian
The Rosie O'Donnell Show1996-1997TV SeriesHimself
Classic Stand-Up Comedy of Television1996TV Special documentaryHimself
HBO Comedy Showcase1995TV SeriesHimself - Comedian (1995)
MTV Spring Break: Lake Havasu1995TV MovieHimself
Good Morning America1994TV SeriesHimself
HBO First Look1994TV Series documentaryHimself
The Arsenio Hall Show1993-1994TV SeriesHimself
The Making of 'Blankman'1994TV MovieHimself
Soul Train Comedy Awards1993TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
1992 MTV Movie Awards1992TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
Comic Relief V1992TV SpecialHimself
The Comedy Store's 20th Birthday1992TV MovieHimself
Wogan1992TV SeriesHimself
Late Night with David Letterman1992TV SeriesHimself - Guest
The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime1991TV Special documentaryHimself / Various Characters
A Comedy Salute to Michael Jordan1991TV MovieHimself
The 17th Annual People's Choice Awards1991TV SpecialHimself - Accepting Award for Favourite New Television Comedy Series
The 18th Annual American Music Awards1991TV SpecialHimself
Damon Wayans: The Last Stand?1990TV Special documentaryHimself
MTV Video Music Awards 19901990TV SpecialHimself
Ebony/Jet Showcase1989TV SeriesHimself
One Night Stand1989TV SeriesHimself
Saturday Night Live1986TV SeriesHimself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic2013DocumentaryHimself
Edición Especial Coleccionista2012TV SeriesZeebo
Katt Williams: 9 Lives2010Video documentaryHimself
The Katt Phenomenon2009Video documentary short
TV's 50 Funniest Catch Phrases2009TV MovieHimself
Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America2009TV Series documentary
Starz Inside: Ladies or Gentlemen2008TV Movie documentaryHimself
Saturday Night Live in the '80s: Lost & Found2005TV Special documentaryHimself
100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time2004TV Mini-SeriesHimself #52
Back in Step with the Fly Girls2004ShortHimself (uncredited)
Looking Back in Living Color: The First Season2004Video shortVarious
The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show2001TV SpecialMichael Kyle (uncredited)
Mo' Funny: Black Comedy in America1993TV Special documentaryHimself / Minister Louis Farrakan
Saturday Night Live Goes Commercial1991TV SpecialYuppie (uncredited)

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2004BET Comedy AwardBET Comedy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy SeriesMy Wife and Kids (2001)
2002People's Choice AwardPeople's Choice Awards, USAFavorite Male Performer in a New Television SeriesMy Wife and Kids (2001)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2005BET Comedy AwardBET Comedy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy SeriesMy Wife and Kids (2001)
2005Image AwardImage AwardsOutstanding Actor in a Comedy SeriesMy Wife and Kids (2001)
2005Golden Satellite AwardSatellite AwardsBest Actor in a Series, Comedy or MusicalMy Wife and Kids (2001)
2004Image AwardImage AwardsOutstanding Actor in a Comedy SeriesMy Wife and Kids (2001)
2003Image AwardImage AwardsOutstanding Actor in a Comedy SeriesMy Wife and Kids (2001)
2003Golden Satellite AwardSatellite AwardsBest Actor in a Series, Comedy or MusicalMy Wife and Kids (2001)
2003Stinker AwardThe Stinkers Bad Movie AwardsWorst On-Screen CoupleMarci X (2003)
2002Image AwardImage AwardsOutstanding Actor in a Comedy SeriesMy Wife and Kids (2001)
1992Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music ProgramIn Living Color (1990)
1992MTV Movie AwardMTV Movie AwardsBest On-Screen DuoThe Last Boy Scout (1991)
1991Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music ProgramIn Living Color (1990)
1991Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Writing in a Variety or Music ProgramIn Living Color (1990)
1990Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Writing in a Variety or Music ProgramIn Living Color (1990)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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