Damon Wayans facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Damon Wayans Sr.
Wayans in 2008
Birth name	Damon Kyle Wayans
Born	(1960-09-04) September 4, 1960 (age 64) New York City, U.S.
Medium	Film stand-up television
Years active	1982–present
Genres	Observational comedy black comedy political satire
Subject(s)	Family marriage American politics everyday life
Spouse	Lisa Thorner ​ ​ (m. 1984; div. 2000)​
Children	4, including Damon Wayans Jr.
Relative(s)	See Wayans family

Damon Kyle Wayans Sr. (born September 4, 1960) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He is a famous member of the Wayans family, a family known for its many talented entertainers.

Wayans first became known as a stand-up comedian in the 1980s. He was also a cast member on the comedy show Saturday Night Live. He became a huge star on the sketch comedy show In Living Color with his family. He also created his own shows, like the cartoon Waynehead and the sitcom Damon.

He has starred in many movies, including Major Payne and The Last Boy Scout. He is also well-known for playing the dad, Michael Kyle, in the sitcom My Wife and Kids. From 2016 to 2019, he played Roger Murtaugh in the TV series Lethal Weapon.

Early Life and Family

Damon Wayans was born in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. His mother, Elvira, was a singer and social worker, and his father, Howell, was a supermarket manager. He is one of ten children in his family. Many of his siblings, like Keenen Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans, and Shawn Wayans, are also famous actors and comedians.

As a child, Wayans was born with a club foot. He later used this experience for his characters in the cartoon Waynehead and the show My Wife and Kids. He went to Murry Bergtraum High School in New York City.

Career in Comedy and Television

Starting Out in Comedy

Wayans began performing stand-up comedy in 1982. His first movie role was a small part in the 1984 Eddie Murphy movie Beverly Hills Cop. From 1985 to 1986, he was a featured performer on Saturday Night Live. He was fired after he changed a character during a live show without permission. Wayans later said he wanted more creative freedom on the show.

Rise to Fame with 'In Living Color'

Along with his brother Keenen, Wayans created the hit sketch comedy show In Living Color. The show, which started in 1990, featured a mostly African-American cast and was known for its hilarious characters. Wayans created famous characters like Homey D. Clown and the critic Blaine Edwards. He left the show in 1992 to focus on his movie career.

Movie and TV Success

After In Living Color, Wayans starred in many popular movies. These include Mo' Money, Major Payne, Bulletproof, and Blankman, which he also wrote.

In 1996, he produced the cartoon Waynehead, which was based on his childhood. In 1998, he starred in his own sitcom called Damon. His most famous TV role came in 2001 when he began starring in the sitcom My Wife and Kids. He played Michael Kyle, a funny dad trying to raise his three children. The show was very popular and ran until 2005.

Later Work and 'Lethal Weapon'

Wayans continued to work in comedy and television. In 2006, he created a sketch comedy show called The Underground, which also featured his son, Damon Wayans Jr..

Wayans performing stand-up comedy in 2007

In 2016, he took on a major role in the TV series Lethal Weapon. He played Roger Murtaugh, a veteran police detective. The show ran for three seasons and ended in 2019. In 2024, he returned to sitcoms with Poppa's House, where he stars alongside his son, Damon Jr.

Awards and Recognition

Damon Wayans has been recognized for his work in television.

• He received four Emmy awards nominations for his writing and acting on In Living Color.
• He won a People's Choice Award in 2002 for Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Series for his role in My Wife and Kids.

Personal Life

Wayans was married to Lisa Thorner from 1984 to 2000. They have four children: Damon Jr., Michael, Cara Mia, and Kyla. His son, Damon Wayans Jr., is also a successful actor. Wayans is a grandfather.

In 2014, Wayans was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Filmography

Film

Television

Documentary

See also

In Spanish: Damon Wayans para niños