The Wayans family stands as a prominent dynasty in Hollywood, celebrated for their significant contributions to comedy and entertainment. Their collective body of work includes iconic television shows and blockbuster movies that have shaped popular culture. Projects like In Living Color, The Wayans Bros., the Scary Movie franchise, and White Chicks are testaments to their creative prowess and comedic genius. This extensive family, much like other celebrated entertainment families such as the Coppolas and the Barrymores, boasts numerous members who have actively engaged in various facets of the industry. From acting and stand-up comedy to directing and screenwriting, the Wayans family members have collectively left an indelible mark on the art and business of entertainment.
Together, the Wayans family has been the driving force behind some of the most memorable and culturally impactful movies and TV shows. Beyond their in-house productions, individual members have also carved out successful careers in a wide array of external projects. Their versatility is evident in their participation in everything from high-budget action films and mainstream sitcoms to independent arthouse cinema. This range underscores not only their abundant talent but also their adaptability and enduring presence in Hollywood.
| Family Member | Born | Notable Projects |
|---|---|---|
| Keenan Ivory Wayans | 1958 | In Living Color, Scary Movie, White Chicks |
| Damon Wayans Sr. | 1960 | The Last Boy Scout, My Wife and Kids, Lethal Weapon |
| Damon Wayans Jr. | 1982 | Dance Flick, New Girl, Happy Endings |
| Kim Wayans | 1961 | In Living Color, My Wife and Kids, Dance Flick |
| Damien Dante Wayans | 1980 | Dance Flick, My Wife and Kids, Malibu’s Most Wanted |
| Shawn Wayans | 1971 | The Wayans Brothers, Scary Movie, White Chicks |
| Marlon Wayans | 1972 | The Wayans Brothers, Scary Movie, Requiem for a Dream |
Related: Every “Scary Movie” In The Franchise Ranked
Howell And Elvira Wayans (Born 1936 And 1938) – The Foundation of the Wayans Dynasty
Wayans Patriarch and Matriarch
Howell and Elvira Wayans are the parents who started it all, the patriarch and matriarch of this influential family. Unlike their children and grandchildren, Howell and Elvira did not have direct ties to the entertainment industry. Howell Wayans worked diligently as a supermarket manager, and Elvira Wayans dedicated her life to social work, as noted by The U.S. Sun. The family mourned the loss of Elvira in 2020, followed by Howell in 2023.
Despite their lack of personal involvement in Hollywood, Howell and Elvira were instrumental in shaping the careers of their children. The Wayans family members frequently speak of their parents’ profound influence and unwavering support during their formative years and throughout their ascent in show business. Raising ten children in a modest neighborhood in Harlem, New York City, Howell and Elvira Wayans cultivated a remarkable family legacy that has profoundly impacted Hollywood.
Keenan Ivory Wayans (Born 1958) – The Trailblazer
Howell & Elvira Wayans’ Eldest Son
Keenan Ivory Wayans is widely recognized as the pioneering force behind many of the Wayans family’s most iconic and successful projects. He is often credited with paving the way for his siblings and relatives in the industry, providing crucial opportunities that launched their careers. Notably, Keenan created, wrote, and starred in the groundbreaking sketch comedy series In Living Color, a show predominantly featuring Black talent that redefined television comedy.
In Living Color became a launching pad for numerous careers, including his brother Damon Wayans Sr., who became a breakout star alongside comedic talents like Jim Carrey and David Alan Grier. The show subsequently featured siblings Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Marlon Wayans, further cementing the family’s presence in comedy. Keenan also extended the family’s reach into film by writing and directing the blaxploitation parody I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, which showcased several of his siblings.
Keenan’s collaborative spirit continued, most notably with brothers Shawn and Marlon, with whom he directed hits like White Chicks, Little Man, and the first two installments of the Scary Movie franchise. He further collaborated on Dance Flick, co-writing with Shawn and Marlon, as well as his nephew Damien Dante, and even featured his other nephew Damon Wayans Jr. in a starring role. Keenan also made appearances on Damon Wayans Sr.’s sitcom My Wife and Kids. In a departure from family projects, Keenan starred alongside Steven Seagal in the action film The Glimmer Man.
Damon Wayans Sr. (Born 1960) – The Stand-Up Star
Howell & Elvira Wayans’ Son
Damon Wayans Sr. rapidly ascended to stardom in the early 1990s, becoming the most recognized face of the Wayans family at the time. His breakout role on In Living Color and a flourishing stand-up comedy career propelled him into the limelight. Damon Sr. was the first Wayans to achieve mainstream success with his own projects. He demonstrated his writing and acting talents in films like Major Payne, where he starred as Major Benson Winifred Payne, Blankman, portraying the titular superhero Darryl Walker, and Mo’ Money, as Johnny Stewart.
Damon Wayans Sr. transitioned into buddy action movies, starring alongside major Hollywood figures such as Adam Sandler in Bulletproof and Bruce Willis in The Last Boy Scout. Later in his career, he shifted his focus to television, taking on leading roles in the sitcom My Wife and Kids as Michael Kyle and the action series Lethal Weapon as Roger Murtaugh. He is set to return to sitcoms in Poppa’s House, where he will star alongside his son Damon Wayans Jr., marking a new chapter in their family’s on-screen collaborations.
Damon Wayans Jr. (Born 1982) – Sitcom Success
Damon Wayans Sr.’s Son
Damon Wayans Jr. has carved a successful niche for himself in television, beginning with an eight-episode stint on his father’s sitcom My Wife and Kids as John. His first foray into acting was actually portraying a younger version of his father in Blankman. Damon Jr. secured his first lead movie role in Dance Flick, playing the central character, Thomas. This role expanded his opportunities beyond family projects, leading to roles alongside Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell in The Other Guys as Detective Fosse, and voicing Wasabi in the animated hit Big Hero 6.
However, Damon Jr. is perhaps best known for his sitcom roles, particularly as Brad in the acclaimed Happy Endings and as Coach in New Girl. While Damon Jr. has primarily focused on projects outside of his family’s collaborations in recent years, such as Let’s Be Cops, The Harder They Fall, and Players, he is set to reunite with his father in the upcoming sitcom Poppa’s House, playing a father-son duo, bringing their on-screen dynamic full circle.
Related: Why Damon Wayans Jr’s Coach Left New Girl Again After Season 4
Kim Wayans (Born 1961) – The Steadfast Talent
Howell & Elvira Wayans’ Daughter
While male members of the Wayans family often garner much of the spotlight, Kim Wayans has been a consistently working and versatile performer for decades. Like her first-generation Wayans counterparts, Kim began her career on In Living Color, contributing as a sketch performer. She also starred alongside her brothers in the comedy Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood.
Kim has frequently collaborated with her family, serving as a writer for Damon Wayans Sr.’s sitcom My Wife and Kids and appearing in Dance Flick as Ms. Dontwannabebothered, directed by her nephew Damien Dante Wayans. Beyond family projects, Kim has demonstrated her dramatic range in films and television shows such as Pariah as Audrey, Hawaii Five-0 as Diane, and Criminal Minds as Darlene Beckett, showcasing her depth as an actress.
Damien Dante Wayans (Born 1980) – The Director and Actor
Kim Wayans’ Son
Damien Dante Wayans, son of Kim Wayans, started his career as an actor with minor roles in various Wayans family productions. His early notable role was in Major Payne, starring his uncle Damon Wayans Sr., where he played Cadet Dwight “D.” Williams. Damien Dante secured his first significant acting role outside of family projects in the film Malibu’s Most Wanted, playing Tec. He has also made television appearances in shows ranging from The Norm Show to NYPD Blue and House M.D.
Damien Dante has expanded his career beyond acting into writing and directing. He contributed to Damon Wayans’ My Wife and Kids and made his directorial debut with the film Dance Flick, which he co-wrote with his uncles Keenan, Shawn, and Marlon, highlighting his multifaceted talent within the family enterprise.
Shawn Wayans (Born 1971) – The Collaborative Comedian
Howell & Elvira Wayans’ Son
Shawn Wayans, who also began his career on In Living Color, is best known as the co-creator and co-star of the sitcom The Wayans Brothers, where he shared the screen with his brother Marlon Wayans, as well as comedic veterans John Witherspoon and Anna Maria Horsford. This sitcom marked the beginning of a prolific partnership with Marlon, with the brothers frequently appearing as an on-screen duo in projects they also co-wrote.
Shawn co-wrote the screenplays for the first two Scary Movie films with Marlon and played the character Ray Wilkins in both. Their collaborative writing and acting extended to other successful comedies such as White Chicks, where Shawn played Kevin Copeland, Little Man as Darryl Edwards, and Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood as Ashtray. Notably, Shawn’s career has been primarily centered around these family collaborations, with fewer projects outside of the Wayans family sphere.
Related: 25 Best Quotes From White Chicks
Marlon Wayans (Born 1972) – Comedic and Dramatic Range
Howell & Elvira Wayans’ Son
Marlon Wayans is a central figure in the Wayans family’s entertainment legacy, known for co-creating, co-writing, and co-starring in numerous family-produced hits. These include The Wayans Bros., where he played Marlon Williams, the first two Scary Movie films as Shorty Meeks, White Chicks as Marcus Copeland, and Little Man as Calvin “Babyface” Sims. His enduring professional relationship with his brother Shawn has been a cornerstone of many of these projects. Marlon also enjoys a successful stand-up comedy career, with his recent special God Loves Me released in 2023.
Beyond the comedic roles closely tied to the Wayans Family Names, Marlon Wayans has expanded his acting repertoire to include collaborations with critically acclaimed directors. He has appeared in Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream as Tyrone C. Love, the Coen Brothers’ The Ladykillers as Gawain MacSam, Sofia Coppola’s On the Rocks as Dean, and Ben Affleck’s Air as George Raveling, demonstrating his versatility and range beyond comedy.
