Kim Wayans
Kim Wayans | |
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![]() Kim Wayans in 2012 | |
Born | Kim N. Wayans October 16, 1961 New York City, New York, United States |
Education | Wesleyan University |
Occupation(s) | Actress, comedian, producer, writer, director |
Years active | 1982–present |
Spouse | Kevin Knotts |
Relatives | Damon Wayans (brother) Keenen Ivory Wayans (brother) Shawn Wayans (brother) Marlon Wayans (brother) Nadia Wayans (sister) |
Kim N. Wayans (born October 16, 1961) is an American actress, comedian, producer, writer and director. Wayans is the sister of Keenen Ivory, Damon, Sr., Marlon, Shawn and Nadia Wayans. She is best known for her numerous roles on the Fox sketch-comedy show In Living Color (1990–94), and Tonia Harris on In the House (1995-98). Wayans is also best known as the family matriarch of The Wayans Family.
Early life
Wayans was born in New York City, the daughter of Elvira Alethia (Green), a homemaker and social worker, and Howell Stouten Wayans, a supermarket manager.[1][2][3] Her family was involved in the Jehovah's Witnesses religion.[4][5] She and her family lived in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
Career
In film she appeared in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka and Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (both directed by her brother Keenen), and had a starring role in the art film Talking About Sex and later co-starred in Juwanna Mann as Latisha Jansen. She starred with her siblings on the Fox variety show In Living Color and A Low Down Dirty Shame. Her other television work includes regular appearances on the sitcom In the House with LL Cool J and a recurring role on A Different World. Recently, she has worked as a story editor on her brother Damon's sitcom My Wife and Kids.
In 2008 she co-wrote a series of children's books with her husband Kevin Knotts entitled Amy Hodgepodge about a multiracial girl adjusting to life in public school after years of homeschooling.
In 2011 she got a chance to showcase her dramatic chops with a supporting role as a mother who struggles to understand her 17-year-old daughter in Pariah. She was nominated (alongside co-star Pernell Walker) for Best Supporting Actress at the 2012 Black Reel Awards but lost to Octavia Spencer for The Help.
In Living Color
Characters
- Benita Butrell
- Cousin Elsee
- Laquita (I Love Laquita)
- Lil' Magic
- Mrs. Brooks
- Reesie (Cephus & Reesie)
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
Filmography
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1986 | Cathy | Charlene Andrews |
1987–1988 | A Different World (TV series) | Allison Guisewite |
1989 | Cathy's Last Resort | Charlene Andrews |
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka | Nightclub Singer | |
1990 | Dream On | Nicki |
1990–1993 | In Living Color (TV series) | Various |
1991 | Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime | Various |
1994 | Talking About Sex | Andie Norman |
Floundering | Unemployment | |
A Low Down Dirty Shame | Diane | |
1995–1998 | In the House (TV series) | Tonia Harris |
The Wayans Bros. (TV series) | Cousin Shelia | |
1996 | Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood | Mrs. Johnson |
1996–1997 | Waynehead (TV series) | Mom (voice) |
1997 | Critics and Other Freaks | Bettina |
1998 | Getting Personal (TV series) | Rhonda |
2002 | Juwanna Mann | Latisha Jansen |
2006 | Thugaboo: Sneaker Madness (TV) | Momma/Joyce (voice) |
Thugaboo: A Miracle on D-Roc's Street (TV) | Momma (voice) | |
2007 | What News? (TV) | Pearl "Lightning" Davis |
2009 | Dance Flick | Ms. Dontwannabebothered |
2011 | Pariah | Audrey |
2012 | Criminal Minds (TV) | Darlene Beckett |
2013 | Reckless | Vi |
2014 | New Girl (TV) | Susan |
2016 | The Breaks (TV) |
References
External links
- 1961 births
- American people of Malagasy descent
- Actresses from New York City
- African-American comedians
- African-American television directors
- American television directors
- African-American television producers
- American television producers
- Women television producers
- American television writers
- Women television directors
- Living people
- Wayans family
- Wesleyan University alumni
- American women comedians
- Women television writers
- African-American film producers
- American film producers
- American impressionists (entertainers)
- 20th-century American actresses
- 21st-century American actresses
- American voice actresses
- American television actresses
- African-American actresses
- American film actresses
- Comedians from New York City