Keenen Ivory Wayans
Keenen Ivory Wayans | |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1982-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, which also starred Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, his brother Damon Wayans, David Alan Grier, Tommy Davidson and featured Jennifer Lopez.
Biography
Career
Wayans was one of the first cast members of In Living Color to leave the show, citing creative differences. He went on to direct and star in broad comedies starring his brothers Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans. His film Scary Movie (2000) is the most financially successful feature ever directed by an African American.[1]
Personal life
Wayans was born in Harlem, New York, the son of Elvira, a homemaker and social worker, and Howell Wayans, a supermarket manager.[2] His family was involved in the Jehovah's Witnesses religion.[3][4] He attended college at Tuskegee University; however, he dropped out in his senior year to pursue a career in comedy. Wayans is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for black men. Wayans is one of several Wayans family members who have become famous in Hollywood, including his siblings Damon, Kim, Marlon and Shawn.
Wayans is a vegetarian and a supporter of animal rights group, PETA.[5] He married in June 2001. In 2004, Wayans and wife Daphne separated and have formally filed for divorce. They have five children together named Jolie, Nala, Keenen Jr., Bella and Daphne Ivory. He is the cousin of Craig Wayans and uncle of Damon Wayans Jr., Michael Wayans, Cara Mia Wayans, Kyla Wayans, and Damien Dante Wayans.
In Living Color
Characters
- Death Row Comic (Prison Cable Access)
- Frenchie (?)
- Ice Man (Homeboy Shopping Network)
- Tom Brothers (The Brothers Brothers)
- Wes (Wes & Less)
Impressions
- Arsenio Hall
- Billy Dee Williams
- Don Cornelius
- Jesse Jackson
- Little Richard
- Mike Tyson
- Marsha Warfield
- Milli (Rob Pilatus)
- Morgan Freeman
- Rick James
Filmography
- Star 80 (1983) (actor)
- For Love and Honor (1983) (actor)
- Hollywood Shuffle (1987) (actor and writer)
- Eddie Murphy: Raw (1987) (producer)
- I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) (actor, writer and director)
- In Living Color (1990) (actor, executive producer, director and creator/writer)
- A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994) (actor, writer and director)
- Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) (actor and producer)
- The Glimmer Man (1996) (actor)
- The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show (1997) (executive producer and actor)
- Most Wanted (1997) (Sergeant James Dunn, executive producer and writer)
- Scary Movie (2000) (actor and director)
- Scary Movie 2 (2001) (director)
- White Chicks (2004) (producer, director)
- Little Man (2006) (producer, writer, director)
- Killer Movie (2007) (actor and director)
References
- ^ Alexander, George (2000). "Fade to Black - African American filmmakers". Black Enterprise. Retrieved 2007-04-13.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ http://www.filmreference.com/film/9/Keenen-Ivory-Wayans.html
- ^ http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,997920,00.html
- ^ http://www.themoviechicks.com/mid2004/mctladykillers.html
- ^ [1]