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 (BA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouse(s) | Kevin Knotts |
| Relatives | Wayans family |
Kimberly Nichole Wayans, born on October 16, 1961, is a talented American actress. She is part of the famous Wayans family, which includes her brothers Keenen Ivory, Damon Sr., Marlon, and Shawn. She also has a sister named Nadia. Kim is well-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, Kim Wayans has directed episodes for several 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. The Wayans family lived in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. Kim went to Wesleyan University and studied English.
Acting Career Highlights
Kim Wayans started her film career in 1987 with Hollywood Shuffle. She also had early TV roles on China Beach and A Different World. She appeared in films like I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1989) and A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994). Both of these movies were directed by her brother, Keenen Ivory Wayans.
In Living Color Years
Kim Wayans became a main cast member of the popular sketch comedy show In Living Color when it began in 1990. On the show, she was great at impersonating famous people like Naomi Campbell, Whitney Houston, Vanessa Williams, and Oprah Winfrey. She also created many memorable original characters. People especially loved her characters Mrs. Brooks and Benita Butrell. Kim, along with her brothers Keenen Ivory and Damon, left the show in 1993.
Later TV and Film Roles
In 1996, Kim Wayans joined the TV show In the House as the character Tonia. She also voiced the character of Mom on the cartoon Waynehead. She appeared in the movie Don't Be a Menace (1996) and had a main role in the film Talking About .... Kim also appeared on The Wayans Bros., a show starring her younger brothers Marlon and Shawn. In 2002, she co-starred in Juwanna Mann as a basketball player named Latisha Jansen.
Writing and Dramatic Roles
Kim Wayans also worked as a story editor for her brother Damon's TV show My Wife and Kids. In 2008, she and her husband, Kevin Knotts, wrote a series of children's books called Amy Hodgepodge. These books are about a girl from different backgrounds who goes to public school after being homeschooled.
Even though she was known for comedy, Kim Wayans wanted to try different types of roles. In 2011, she starred 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 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 Outstanding Supporting Actress.
After Pariah, Kim Wayans took on more serious roles. She had guest appearances on TV shows like Criminal Minds and Hawaii Five-0. She also had a regular role as paralegal Vi Briggs on the show Reckless. She appeared as a doctor on The Soul Man and as Susan on New Girl. In 2021, Kim Wayans returned to sketch comedy with an appearance on A Black Lady Sketch Show.
In Living Color Characters and Impressions
Kim Wayans was known for her amazing ability to transform into different characters and impersonate famous people 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 I Love Laquita sketches)
- Lil' Magic
- Mrs. Brooks
- Reesie (from Cephus & Reesie sketches)
Filmography
Film Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Hollywood Shuffle | Customer in Chair | |
| Eddie Murphy Raw | Interviewed Fan | ||
| 1988 | I'm Gonna Git You Sucka | Nightclub Singer | |
| 1994 | Floundering | Unemployment Clerk | |
| Talking About ... | Andie Norman | ||
| A Low Down Dirty Shame | Diane | ||
| 1996 | Don't Be a Menace | Mrs. Johnson | |
| 1997 | Critics and Other Freaks | Bettina | |
| 2002 | Juwanna Mann | Latisha Jansen | |
| 2006 | Thugaboo: Sneaker Madness | Momma/Joyce | Voice, television film |
| Thugaboo: A Miracle on D-Roc's Street | Momma | Voice, television film | |
| 2007 | What News? | Pearl "Lightning" Davis | Television film |
| 2009 | Dance Flick | Ms. Dontwannabebothered | |
| 2011 | Pariah | Audrey | |
| 2017 | Ray Meets Helen | Lizzie Faye | |
| 2020 | Exit Package | Mary Birdsall | Short |
Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | A Different World | Allison | Recurring cast: season 1 |
| 1988 | China Beach | Cameo Candette | Episode: "Lost and Found" |
| 1990 | Dream On | Nicki | Episode: "Over Your Dead Body" |
| 1990–93 | In Living Color | Herself/Castmember | Main cast: season 1-4 |
| 1991 | Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime | Various Characters | TV special Documentary |
| 1995–98 | In the House | Tonia Riley Harris | Main cast: season 2-4 |
| The Wayans Bros. | Shelia | 2 episodes | |
| 1996–97 | Waynehead | Mom | Voice, main cast |
| 1998 | Getting Personal | Rhonda | Episode: "There's Something About Rhonda" |
| 2000 | Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | Jackie-In-The-Box / Lulu | Voice, episode: "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" |
| Cousin Skeeter | Mystic Ruler | Episode: “New Kids on the Planet” | |
| 2012 | Criminal Minds | Darlene Beckett | Episode: "The Pact" |
| 2013 | The Soul Man | Dr. Owens | Episode: "Get Thee Behind Me" |
| 2014 | Reckless | Vi Briggs | Main cast |
| 2015 | Hawaii Five-0 | Diane | Episode: "Ike Hanau" |
| 2016 | Hit the Floor | Karen Halford | Episode: "Lockout" |
| New Girl | Susan | 2 episodes | |
| 2017 | The Breaks | Ella Williams | Recurring cast |
| 2018 | Marlon | Miss Shabazz | Episode: "Divorce Counseling" |
| 2020 | Boomerang | Juanita | Episode: "End of the Road" |
| 2021 | A Black Lady Sketch Show | Aunt Bev | Episode: "Way to Ruin the Party, Soya!" |
See also
In Spanish: Kim Wayans para niños
