Damon Wayans
Who is Damon Wayans Sr
Damon Wayans Sr. is a multi-talented American entertainer, known for his work as a stand-up comedian, actor, producer, and writer. Captivating audiences with his comedic talents on stage and screen, he gained prominence in the 1980s.
Notably, he spent significant time on the popular NBC sketch comedy series, Saturday Night Live.
Wayans further solidified his comedic reputation by co-creating and starring in Fox’s groundbreaking sketch comedy show, In Living Color (1990–1992).
He showcased his versatility by creating and starring in his own animated series, Waynehead, and the television show Damon (1998).
Throughout his career, Wayans has demonstrated his acting and comedic prowess in both film and television.
He has appeared in a range of productions, many of which he co-produced or co-wrote, such as Beverly Hills Cop, Mo Money, The Last Boy Scout, Major Payne, Bulletproof, and the beloved sitcom “My Wife and Kids.”
His portrayal of Michael Kyle in My Wife and Kids remains one of his most notable roles, showcasing his comedic talent and endearing charm.
Wayans’ contributions to In Living Color also garnered him critical acclaim.
Early Life
Damon Wayans was born on September 4, 1960, in Harlem, New York City, the third of ten children born to Elvira Alethia (Green), a social worker and singer, and Howell Wayans, a supermarket manager.
Growing up in the modest surroundings of the Fulton Housing Projects, Damon discovered his natural comedic abilities at a young age, entertaining himself and others by creating peculiar characters.
During his childhood, Damon faced challenges due to a club foot.
This physical disability led to ostracization by other children and would later be reflected in the characters he created, including those on My Wife and Kids and the short-lived Waynehead.
Despite the pain and limitations that came with his condition, humor became an essential coping mechanism.
He wore leg braces and orthopedic shoes and underwent multiple surgeries to correct the condition.
Education
Damon Wayans attended Murry Bergtraum High School but dropped out in the ninth grade.
He took on various jobs, including working as a mail clerk.
Following in the footsteps of his older brother Keenen, Damon set his sights on comedy and ventured to Hollywood in 1982 to pursue fame and fortune.
Career
After leaving high school in the ninth grade, he embarked on a series of different jobs, including working as a mail clerk, before joining his older brother Keenen in Hollywood to pursue a career in comedy.
In 1982, he started as a standup comedian, immersing himself in the vibrant L.A. stand-up scene, performing at various venues, and honing his comedic skills.
His talent and dedication led him to tour the national comedy club circuits, captivating audiences across the country.
Wayans’ big break came in 1985, when he landed a featured role on the legendary Saturday Night Live.
This was his official entry into the mainstream, a platform to showcase his comedic talent to a wider audience. However, his tenure was short-lived, from 1985 to 1986 (only eleven episodes).
Wayans claims he aimed to get fired due to limited creative freedom and screen time.
The real reason, though, was his on-air improvisation. During a live sketch, he went rogue, ditching the script’s straight cop portrayal and playing the character as a flamboyant gay cop.
This stunt, whether intentional or not, marked a turning point in his career.
Film Beginnings and Notable Roles
Wayans embarked on his film career by taking on small roles in notable movies. In Eddie Murphy’s comedy classic “Beverly Hills Cop” (1984), he portrayed an effeminate hotel employee, displaying his comedic skills.
Additionally, he appeared in Steve Martin’s “Roxanne” (1987) as well as in his brother Keenen’s films “Hollywood Shuffle” (1987) and “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” (1988), showcasing his early talent in the industry.
Wayans’ notable roles during this period included appearances in “Punchline” (1988) alongside Tom Hanks and “Colors” (1988) with Sean Penn, further establishing his presence in the film industry.
Rise to Television Stardom
While initially building his name in film, Damon Wayans Sr. soon found success on television as well.
In the 1980s, he showcased his comedic talents on the syndicated show “Solid Gold.”
However, his true rise to television stardom came through collaboration with his brother Keenen.
Together, they created the groundbreaking Fox sketch comedy series “In Living Color” (1990–1994), featuring a predominantly African-American cast.
The show was a major success, but Damon left in 1992 to pursue his film career.
Following “In Living Color,” Wayans took on roles in action-thrillers like “The Last Boy Scout” (1991) with Bruce Willis.
He also displayed his comedic range in films like “Major Payne” (1995) and “Celtic Pride” (1996).
He further showcased his talents by writing and starring in “Mo’ Money” (1992) and “Blankman” (1994).
Wayans’ presence extended beyond acting. He appeared in Janet Jackson’s music video for “The Best Things in Life Are Free” and was even considered for the role of The Riddler in “Batman Forever” (ultimately played by his “In Living Color” co-star Jim Carrey).
Beyond acting, Wayans excelled as a writer, crafting memorable characters like Homey the Clown and Blaine Edwards from the “Men on Film” skits.
While creative and financial challenges led to the Wayans family’s departure from “In Living Color,” the show undeniably launched Damon’s successful solo career.
Solo Career in Film and Television
Following his success on “In Living Color,” Damon Wayans embarked on a flourishing solo career, captivating audiences with his diverse range of projects in both film and television.
In October 1996, he ventured into animation, producing “Waynehead” for the WB.
This short-lived series drew inspiration from Wayans’ own childhood experiences in a large family, centered on a young boy with a club foot.
Unfortunately, due to low ratings, the show only lasted one season.
Wayans continued to explore production roles. From 1997 to 1998, he served as executive producer for the FOX drama “413 Hope St.,” starring Richard Roundtree and Jesse L. Martin.
In March 1998, he returned to acting, headlining his own short-lived comedy series “Damon” on Fox, where he played a Chicago detective.
Expanding his talents further, Wayans co-authored the bestselling book “Bootleg” with David Asbery in 1999.
This humorous collection of family observations received acclaim from The New York Times, showcasing his literary skills.
The year 2000 saw Wayans take on a leading role in Spike Lee’s film “Bamboozled.”
He then solidified his presence on television with the successful ABC sitcom “My Wife and Kids,” which aired from March 2001 to May 2005.
He also co-created the ABC sitcom “Rodney,” starring Rodney Carrington and Jennifer Aspen, which ran from 2004 to 2006.
Wayans continued to push boundaries. In late 2006, he took on the dual roles of producer and actor in the Showtime sketch comedy series “The Underground,” which notably featured his son, Damon Jr.
He also hosted the BET Awards in June 2006.
Despite setbacks like the cancellation of “The Underground,” Wayans remained a persistent force in entertainment, pursuing both comedic and dramatic roles and leaving a lasting impact on the industry.
Return to Television and Recent Work
Even in 2014, Damon Wayans remained active in stand-up comedy while also venturing into app development.
He formed a company called MIMS (“Money in My Sleep”), staffed by talented freelancers, which successfully created apps like Flick Dat, Diddeo, and VHedz.
However, his focus shifted back to television. In a surprise announcement during a November 2015 performance at the Irvine Improv, Wayans declared his retirement from stand-up, effective December 2015.
Returning to the small screen, Wayans took on the role of Detective Roger Murtaugh in the comedic drama series “Lethal Weapon” (2016).
Based on the popular film franchise, the series showcased his enduring presence and versatility.
Unfortunately, his run ended after three seasons, with Wayans departing in 2018 after filming the first thirteen episodes of Season 3. The series officially concluded in February 2019.
Presently, Wayans is back at ABC with a new project. He’s reuniting with Don Reo, his co-creator from “My Wife and Kids,” for a new family comedy titled “Let’s Stay Together,” currently in development under ABC Studios, a division of Disney TV Studios.
In 2021, Wayans returned to his comedic roots with a special appearance on “Live in Front of a Studio Audience.”
He played Willis Jackson in a recreated episode of Diff’rent Strokes’ first season, “Willis’ Privacy,” which aired on December 7, 2021.
The future holds another collaboration: a father-son comedy series called “Pappa’s House.”
This project sees Damon Wayans Sr. teaming up with his son, Damon Wayans Jr., for a show developed by CBS and co-written by Wayans Sr. and producer Kevin Hench.
The series is expected for the 2023–2024 season.
Personal Life
Damon Wayans and Lisa Thorner entered into marriage in 1984 after dating for approximately two to three years.
At the time of their union, Wayans was a struggling comedian aspiring to break into the world of acting.
It wasn’t until 1984, the same year they got married, that he landed his debut role in the film Beverly Hills Cop, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Throughout their 16-year marriage, Wayans and Thorner became parents to four children: sons Damon Wayans Jr. and Michael Wayans, as well as daughters Cara Mia Wayans and Kyla Wayans. Wayans also cherishes his role as a grandfather.
While Wayans and Thorner initially appeared to have a happy life together, building a family and supporting each other’s endeavors, their marriage eventually encountered challenges.
In 2000, the couple made the difficult decision to divorce. It was Lisa Thorner who filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason.
Prior to the divorce, the couple had already been separated for several months, with Thorner residing in the family home in Beverly Hills while Wayans lived in Santa Monica, California.
Award
Damon Wayans Sr.’s talents exploded on the iconic sketch comedy show In Living Color (1990–1992).
He wasn’t just a hilarious performer but also a gifted writer.
His comedic genius on the show resulted in four Emmy Award nominations, showcasing his versatility in creating and portraying unforgettable characters like Homey the Clown and flamboyant host Blaine Edwards.
His success continued with the sitcom My Wife and Kids (2001–2005).
His portrayal of the eccentric yet lovable Michael Kyle earned him widespread recognition and accolades.
He wasn’t just funny; he brought heart and depth to the character.
This was acknowledged at the 2002 People’s Choice Awards, where he triumphed in the Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Series category.
Furthermore, his remarkable performance garnered him four nominations for the prestigious Golden Satellite Awards by the International Press Academy, solidifying his place as a comedic powerhouse.
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