Keenen Ivory Wayans

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Keenen Ivory Wayans
Born June 8, 1958 (1958-06-08) (age 53)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actor, Comedian, Director, Screenwriter, Producer
Years active 1979—present

Keenen Ivory Wayans (born June 8, 1958) is an American actor, comedian, director and writer known as the host and creator of the FOX sketch comedy series In Living Color. Wayans is the director/creator of Scary Movie, the highest grossing movie ever directed by an African-American. He briefly hosted his own show called The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show.[1]

Contents

[edit] Biography

Wayans was born in New York City, son of Howell Wayans, a supermarket manager, and his wife Elvira, a homemaker and social worker. His dad was a devout Jehovah's Witness.[2][3][4] Wayans attended Tuskegee University, where he became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity through the Gamma Psi chapter. However, he dropped out in his final year to become a comedian.

In 1990, Wayans and his brother Damon created, wrote and starred in In Living Color. an American sketch comedy television series which originally ran on the Fox Network from 1990 to 1994. The show was notable for producing comedy with a strong emphasis on modern black culture. The show also starred Jim Carrey, Kelly Coffield, Jamie Foxx, brothers Damon Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans, sister Kim Wayans, David Alan Grier, Tommy Davidson and featured Rosie Perez, Jennifer Lopez, and Laurie Ann Gibson.

Wayans is one of several family members who have become famous in Hollywood, including his siblings Damon, Kim, Nadia, Shawn and Marlon. He is an uncle of Craig Wayans, Damon Wayans, Jr., Michael Wayans, Cara Mia Wayans, Kyla Wayans, Damien Dante Wayans and Chaunté Wayans.

[edit] Personal Life

Wayans is a vegetarian and a supporter of the animal rights group, PETA.[5]

In 2003, Wayans filed for divorce from his wife of 3 years and he sought joint custody of their five children.[6]

[edit] In Living Color

[edit] Characters

  • Death Row Comic (Prison Cable Access)
  • Frenchie
  • Ice Man (Homeboy Shopping Network)
  • Tom Brothers (The Brothers Brothers)
  • Wes (Wes & Less)

[edit] Impressions

[edit] Filmography

Year Title Role
1982 Cheers (TV Series) Customer #1
1983 CHiPs (TV Series) Roberts
1983 Star 80 Comic
1983 For Love and Honor (TV Series) Pvt. Duke Johnson
1986 Benson (TV Series) Benson "Clete" Hawkins, (Benson's nephew)
1987 Hollywood Shuffle Donald/Jheri Curl
1987 Hill Street Blues Raymond Jackson
1987 A Different World (TV Series) Professor Lawrence
1988 I'm Gonna Git You Sucka Jack Spade
1989–1994 In Living Color (TV Series) Various
1994 A Low Down Dirty Shame Shame
1996 The Glimmer Man Det. Jim Campbell
1996 Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood Mailman
1997 Most Wanted Sergeant James Dunn
2000 Scary Movie Slave (Amistad II)
2009 Dance Flick Mr. Stache

[edit] Writing/producing/directing credits

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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