Kim Wayans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kim Wayans
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Wayans in 2012
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Kimberly Nichole Wayans
October 16, 1961 New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Education | Wesleyan University |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouse(s) | Kevin Knotts |
| Relatives | Wayans family |
Kimberly "Kim" Nichole Wayans (born October 16, 1961) is an American actress, comedian, and director. She comes from the famous Wayans family, which includes many actors and comedians. Her brothers are Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, Marlon Wayans, and Shawn Wayans. Her sister is Nadia Wayans.
Kim Wayans is best known for her many funny characters on the TV show In Living Color from 1990 to 1994. She also played Tonia Harris on the show In the House from 1995 to 1998. Besides acting, Wayans has directed episodes for popular TV series like Bunk'd, The Neighborhood, and My Wife and Kids.
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Early Life and Education
Kim Wayans was born in New York City. Her mother, Elvira Alethia Green, was a homemaker and social worker. Her father, Howell Stouten Wayans, managed a supermarket. Kim is one of ten children in her family. Many of her brothers and sisters also became actors and comedians.
She grew up in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. Kim went to Wesleyan University, where she studied English.
Kim's Career Journey
Kim Wayans started her acting career in movies and on TV in the 1980s. Her first movie role was in Hollywood Shuffle in 1987. She also appeared on TV shows like China Beach and A Different World. She had small parts in movies directed by her brother Keenen Ivory Wayans, such as I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1989) and A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994).
Starring on In Living Color
One of Kim Wayans' most famous roles was on the TV comedy show In Living Color. She was part of the original cast when the show started in 1990. On the show, she was great at doing impressions of famous people like Naomi Campbell, Whitney Houston, Vanessa Williams, and Oprah Winfrey.
She also created many funny original characters. People especially loved her as Mrs. Brooks and Benita Butrell. Kim left the show in 1993, along with her brothers Keenen Ivory and Damon.
After In Living Color
In 1996, Kim Wayans joined the cast of the TV show In the House, playing the character Tonia. She also lent her voice to the cartoon Waynehead, where she played Mrs. Wayne. She appeared in the movie Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996). She also guest-starred on The Wayans Bros., a show starring her younger brothers Marlon and Shawn. In 2002, she co-starred in the movie Juwanna Mann as a basketball player named Latisha Jansen.
Later, Kim Wayans worked as a story editor for her brother Damon's TV show My Wife and Kids. In 2008, she started writing children's books with her husband, Kevin Knotts. Their book series, Amy Hodgepodge, is about a girl from different backgrounds who goes to public school after being homeschooled.
Taking on Dramatic Roles
Even though she was known for comedy, Kim Wayans wanted to try different types of acting. In 2011, she got a role in the drama film Pariah. She played Audrey, a mother trying to understand her teenage daughter. The director, Dee Rees, chose Kim because she showed a lot of emotion and depth in her audition. For her role in Pariah, Kim Wayans was nominated for two awards in 2012: a Black Reel Award and an NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress.
After Pariah, Kim Wayans acted in more serious roles. She appeared on TV shows like Criminal Minds and Hawaii Five-0. She also had a regular role as a legal assistant named Vi Briggs on the show Reckless. She played a doctor on The Soul Man and Susan on New Girl. In 2021, she returned to sketch comedy for an episode of A Black Lady Sketch Show.
In Living Color Characters
Kim Wayans was known for her amazing impressions and original characters on In Living Color.
Impressions
- Altovise Davis
- La Toya Jackson
- Esther Rolle
- Crystal Waters
- Grace Jones
- LaWanda Page
- Oprah Winfrey
- Tracy Chapman
- Della Reese
- Lynne Thigpen
- Whitney Houston
- Vanessa L. Williams
- Cree Summer
- Tina Turner
- Sandra "Pepa" Denton
- Telma Hopkins
- Dionne Warwick
- Lucille Ball
Original Characters
- Benita Butrell
- Cousin Elsee
- Laquita (from the sketch I Love Laquita)
- Lil' Magic
- Mrs. Brooks
- Reesie (from the sketch Cephus & Reesie)
Selected Film and Television Roles
Kim Wayans has appeared in many movies and TV shows throughout her career. Here are some of her notable roles:
Film Roles
- 1987: Hollywood Shuffle as Customer in Chair
- 1988: I'm Gonna Git You Sucka as Nightclub Singer
- 1994: A Low Down Dirty Shame as Diane
- 1996: Don't Be a Menace as Mrs. Johnson
- 2002: Juwanna Mann as Latisha Jansen
- 2009: Dance Flick as Ms. Dontwannabebothered
- 2011: Pariah as Audrey
Television Roles
- 1987–88: A Different World as Allison
- 1990–93: In Living Color as Herself/Castmember (Main cast)
- 1995–98: In the House as Tonia Riley Harris (Main cast)
- 1995–98: The Wayans Bros. as Shelia (2 episodes)
- 1996–97: Waynehead as Mom (Voice, main cast)
- 2012: Criminal Minds as Darlene Beckett
- 2014: Reckless as Vi Briggs (Main cast)
- 2015: Hawaii Five-0 as Diane
- 2016: New Girl as Susan (2 episodes)
- 2021: A Black Lady Sketch Show as Aunt Bev
See also
In Spanish: Kim Wayans para niños
