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 Name
Damon Wayans
Date Of Birth
September 4, 1960
Height
1.88 m, 1.88 m
Profession
Screenwriter, Television producer, Comedian, Film producer, Author, Film director, Actor, Television Director, Actor, Comedian, Author, Film director, Film producer, Screenwriter, Television Director, Television producer
Education
Murry Bergtraum High School, Murry Bergtraum High School
Nationality
American, American
Family
Spouse
Lisa Thorner, Lisa Thorner
Children
Damon Wayans Jr., Michael Wayans, Cara Mia Wayans, Kyla Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr., Michael Wayans, Cara Mia Wayans, Kyla Wayans
People's Choice Award for Favorite Actor in a New TV Series, People's Choice Award for Favorite Actor in a New TV Series
Nominations
MTV 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...
Movies
Major 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 Shows
Lethal 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
There 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.
2
My 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.
3
I 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
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Fact
1
Has seven grandchildren.
2
Was diagnosed with type II Diabetes in 2013.
3
Granddaughter, Ava Marie Jean, was born February 13, 2014.
Is 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.
6
Michael 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].
