Keenen Ivory Wayans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keenen Ivory Wayans
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Wayans in 2019
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| Born |
Keenen Ivory Desuma Wayans
June 8, 1958 New York City, U.S.
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| Education | Tuskegee University |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1979–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Daphne Wayans
(m. 2001; div. 2006) |
| Partner(s) | Brittany Daniel (2007–2014) |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | Dwayne Wayans (brother) Diedre Wayans (sister) Damon Wayans (brother) Kimberly Nichole Wayans (sister) Elvira Wayans (sister) Nadia Wayans (sister) Vonnie Wayans (sister) Shawn Wayans (brother) Marlon Wayans (brother) Damon Wayans Jr. (nephew) |
| Family | Wayans family |
| Awards | 1990–Emmy Award Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series In Living Color (as executive producer) |
Keenen Ivory Desuma Wayans (born June 8, 1958) is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is part of the famous Wayans family of entertainers. Keenen became well-known as the host and creator of the TV show In Living Color. This popular sketch comedy series aired on Fox from 1990 to 1994.
He has also produced, directed, and written many films. His first film project was Hollywood Shuffle in 1987, which he co-wrote. Many of his movies feature him and other members of his talented family. One of his most successful films, Scary Movie (2000), was directed by Keenen. It was the highest-grossing movie directed by an African American for a few years. Later, it was surpassed by Tim Story's Fantastic Four in 2005. From 1997 to 1998, he hosted his own talk show, The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show. In 2014, he was a judge on the TV show Last Comic Standing.
Contents
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Keenen Wayans was born in Harlem, New York City. He is one of ten children. His father, Howell Stouten Wayans, managed a supermarket. His mother, Elvira Alethia (Green), was a homemaker and social worker. The family later moved to the Fulton housing projects in Manhattan, where Keenen grew up.
He went to Seward Park High School. Later, he attended Tuskegee University on an engineering scholarship. At college, he loved to entertain his friends. He would make up funny stories about growing up in New York. He left college one semester before graduating to focus on his dream of becoming a comedian.
Becoming a Comedian and Filmmaker
Keenen started performing comedy at The Improv in New York. There, he met Robert Townsend. Robert helped Keenen learn about the comedy business. In 1980, Keenen moved to Los Angeles. He and Robert drove there together. In Los Angeles, Keenen began working as an actor. He had a regular role as a soldier in the TV series For Love and Honor. He also appeared on Hill Street Blues as an NFL linebacker.
Robert Townsend wrote, directed, and starred in the movie Hollywood Shuffle. Keenen was a co-star and co-writer for this film. The movie was a success. This helped Keenen get enough money to make his own movie, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka.
Creating In Living Color
The Fox Broadcasting Company noticed Keenen's talent. They offered him a chance to create his own TV show. Keenen wanted to make a variety show. He imagined it would be like Saturday Night Live. But his show would feature a cast of diverse actors. He wanted the show to be bold and take chances with its comedy.
Fox gave Keenen a lot of freedom with the show. Some executives were a little worried about the content before it aired. But Keenen went ahead and created, wrote, and starred in In Living Color. This sketch comedy TV series became very popular. It ran on Fox from 1990 to 1994.
Personal Life
Keenen Wayans married Daphne Polk in 2001. They later divorced in December 2006.
In Living Color Characters and Impressions
On In Living Color, Keenen played many funny characters. He also did impressions of famous people.
Characters Keenen Played
- Death Row Comic (from Prison Cable Access)
- Frenchie
- Ice Man (from Homeboy Shopping Network)
- Tom Brothers (from The Brothers Brothers)
- Wes (from Wes & Les)
Impressions Keenen Did
- Arsenio Hall
- Billy Dee Williams
- Don Cornelius
- Jesse Jackson
- Little Richard
- Mike Tyson
- Marsha Warfield
- Milli (Rob Pilatus) of Milli Vanilli
- Morgan Freeman
- Rick James
- Steve Harvey
- Carl Weathers (as Apollo Creed)
Keenen's Work in Film
Keenen has worked on many films as a director, writer, producer, and actor.
Filmography: Director, Writer, Producer
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Hollywood Shuffle | No | Yes | No |
| Eddie Murphy Raw | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 1988 | I'm Gonna Git You Sucka | Yes | Yes | No |
| 1991 | The Five Heartbeats | No | Yes | No |
| 1994 | A Low Down Dirty Shame | Yes | Yes | No |
| 1996 | Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood | No | No | Yes |
| 1997 | Most Wanted | No | Yes | executive |
| 2000 | Scary Movie | Yes | No | No |
| 2001 | Scary Movie 2 | Yes | No | No |
| 2004 | White Chicks | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2006 | Little Man | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2009 | Dance Flick | No | Yes | Yes |
Filmography: Acting Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Star 80 | Comic | |
| 1987 | Hollywood Shuffle | Donald/Jheri Curl | |
| 1988 | I'm Gonna Git You Sucka | Jack Spade | |
| 1994 | A Low Down Dirty Shame | Andre Shame | |
| 1996 | Don't Be a Menace | Mailman | |
| The Glimmer Man | Lieutenant Jim Campbell | ||
| 1997 | Most Wanted | Gunnery Sergeant James Anthony Dunn | |
| 2000 | Scary Movie | Slave | |
| 2009 | Dance Flick | Mr. Stache |
Keenen's Work in Television
Keenen has also been very active in television, both behind and in front of the camera.
Television: Director, Writer, Producer, Creator
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Creator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-1992 | In Living Color | Yes | Yes | executive | Yes | |
| 1997 | The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show | No | No | executive | No | |
| 2017 | The Boo Crew | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2020 | The Last O.G. | No | Yes | No | No | 8 episodes |
Television: Acting Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | An Evening at the Improv | Himself | Episode: "Episode #2.16" |
| 1982 | Cheers | Customer #1 | Episode: "Sam's Women" |
| CHiPs | Roberts | Episode: "Meet the New Guy" | |
| 1983 | The Renegades | Lloyd Wayne | Episode: "Back to School" |
| For Love and Honor | Duke | TV movie | |
| 1983–84 | For Love and Honor | Pvt. Duke Johnson | Main Cast |
| 1986 | Benson | Clete Hawkins | Episode: "Summer of Discontent" |
| 1987 | Hill Street Blues | Raymond Jackson | Episode: "The Runner Falls on His Kisser" |
| A Different World | Professor Lawrence | Episode: "War of the Words" | |
| 1990–93 | In Living Color | Himself | Main Host: Season 1-4 |
| 1991 | American Music Awards | Himself | Main Host |
| 1997–98 | The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show | Himself | Main Host |
| 1998 | Viva Variety | Himself | Episode: "Episode #3.7" |
| 2001 | My Wife and Kids | Ken | Episode: "A Little Romance" |
| 2013 | Happily Divorced | Tony | Episode: "The Biggest Chill" |
| Real Husbands of Hollywood | Himself | Episode: "Tisha & Duane" | |
| 2014–15 | Last Comic Standing | Himself | Main Judge: Season 8-9 |
| 2018 | The History of Comedy | Himself | Recurring Guest: Season 2 |
| 2020 | This Is Stand-Up | Himself | Episode: "Episode #1.2" |
See also
In Spanish: Keenen Ivory Wayans para niños
