Wayans family
| Wayans family | |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Members | |
The Wayans family (/ˈweɪənz/) is an American show-business family from New York City, New York. The Wayans family notably redefined the genre of comedy and parody films, created numerous cult classics, and are credited with influencing the modern-day Super Bowl halftime show.[1][2]
Family members include siblings Dwayne, Keenen Ivory, Diedra, Damon Sr., Kim, Elvira, Nadia, Devonne, Shawn, and Marlon. The next generation includes Craig Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr., Damien Dante Wayans, and Chaunté Wayans.
Television shows created by Wayans family members include In Living Color, The Wayans Bros., My Wife and Kids, Marlon, and Poppa's House. Films include the Scary Movie film series, Mo' Money, Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, White Chicks, and Little Man.
The Wayans are one of the most influential families in entertainment history.[3] Films featuring members of the family have grossed a combined total of $1 billion at the domestic box office, and more than $500 million at the global box office.[4] The family was honored with the BET Comedy Icon Award at the inaugural BET Comedy Awards in 2004.[5] In 2025, the Wayans family was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards’ Hall of Fame.[6]
History
[edit]Howell Stouten Wayans (August 26, 1936 – April 1, 2023),[7] a supermarket manager, and his wife Elvira Alethia (née Green, July 23, 1938 – July 10, 2020),[8] a homemaker and social worker, resided in Chelsea, New York City when they had their first child.[9] The couple had 10 children,[10] and were raised as Jehovah's Witnesses.[11]
Family tree
[edit]- Howell Stouten Wayans (1936 – 2023), married Elvira Alethia Green (1938 – 2020)
- Dwayne Howell Otis Wayans (born 1956), is a writer and film-score composer.
- Keenen Ivory Desuma Wayans (born 1958), is an actor, comedian, director, and writer; married/divorced Daphne Sharmaine Denise Polk
- Diedra Wayans (born 1959) is a screenwriter.
- Craig Mikel Wayans (born 1976) is an actor, writer, and television producer.
- Gregg Wayans (born 1988) is an actor.
- Damon Kyle Wayans (born 1960) is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer; married/divorced Lisa Thorner.
- Damon Kyle Wayans Jr. (born 1982) is an actor and comedian; married Samara Saraiva.
- Michael Wayans (born 1985)
- Cara Mia Wayans (born 1987)
- Kyla Wayans (born 1981)
- Kimberly Nichole Wayans (born 1961) is a television and film actress; married Kevin Knotts.
- Elvira Wayans (born 1964) is a screenwriter.
- Damien Dante Wayans (born 1980) is an actor, screenwriter, producer and director.
- Chaunté Wayans (born 1982) is an actress and stand-up comedian; married to Marshay Nicole.
- Nadia Wayans (born 1965) is a former actress.
- Devonne Wayans (born 1966) is a former screenwriter.
- Shawn Mathis Wayans (born 1971) is an actor, comedian, writer, and producer.
- Laila Wayans (born 1999)
- Ilia Wayans (born 2002)
- Marlon Wayans (born 2004)
- Marlon Lamont Wayans (born 1972) is an actor, comedian, writer, and producer.
- Kai Zackery Wayans (born 2000)
- Shawn Howell Wayans (born 2002)
- Axl July Ivory Wayans (born 2022)
Works
[edit]Film
[edit]Films with the involvement of more than one member of the Wayans family:
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Starring | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Hollywood Shuffle | No | Keenen | No | Keenen, Damon, Kim | |
| Eddie Murphy: Raw | No | No | Keenen | Kim, Damien | ||
| 1988 | I'm Gonna Git You Sucka | Keenen | Keenen | No | Keenen, Damon, Kim, Shawn, Marlon | |
| 1992 | Mo' Money | No | Damon | No | Damon, Damien | |
| 1994 | Blankman | No | Damon | No | Damon, Michael, Damon Jr. | |
| A Low Down Dirty Shame | Keenen | Keenen | No | Keenen, Kim | ||
| 1995 | Major Payne | No | Damon | Damon | Damon, Damien | |
| 1996 | Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood | No | Shawn, Marlon | Keenen | Shawn, Marlon, Keenen | |
| 2000 | Scary Movie | Keenen | Shawn, Marlon | No | Shawn, Marlon, Keenen | |
| 2001 | Scary Movie 2 | Keenen | Shawn, Marlon | No | Shawn, Marlon, Keenen | |
| 2004 | White Chicks | Keenen | Keenen, Shawn, Marlon | Keenen, Shawn, Marlon | Shawn, Marlon | |
| 2006 | Little Man | Keenen | Keenen, Shawn, Marlon | Keenen, Shawn, Marlon | Shawn, Marlon, Damien | |
| Behind the Smile | Damon | Damon | Damon | Marlon, Damon | Unreleased film[12] | |
| 2009 | Dance Flick | Damien | Keenen, Shawn, Marlon, Craig, Damien | Keenen, Shawn, Marlon | Damon Jr., Shawn, Marlon, Keenen, Kim, Craig, Chaunté, Michael, Cara, Gregg | |
| 2014 | A Haunted House 2 | No | Marlon | Marlon | Marlon, Gregg | |
| 2016 | Fifty Shades of Black | No | Marlon | Marlon | Marlon, Chaunté, Gregg | |
| 2026 | Scary Movie | No | Keenen, Shawn, Marlon | Keenen, Shawn, Marlon, Craig | Shawn, Marlon, Damon Jr., Kim, Gregg |
Television
[edit]Television series with the involvement of more than one member of the Wayans family:
| Year(s) | Title | Director(s) | Creator(s) | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Starring | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-1993 | In Living Color | No | Keenen | Keenen, Damon, Kim, Marlon, Shawn | Keenen | Keenen, Damon, Kim, Marlon, Shawn | |
| 1995-1998 | The Wayans Bros. | Marlon | Marlon, Shawn | Marlon, Shawn, Craig | Marlon, Shawn | Marlon, Shawn, Kim | |
| 1996-1997 | Waynehead | No | Damon | Damon | Damon | Marlon, Shawn, Kim | |
| 1997-1998 | 413 Hope St. | No | Damon | Damon | Damon | Damien | |
| 2001-2005 | My Wife and Kids | Damien, Kim, Craig | Damon | Damon, Kim, Craig, Dante, Damon Jr., Elvira | Damon | Damon, Kim, Craig, Damien | |
| 2006 | The Underground | Damon, Damien | Damon | Damon, Damien, Michael Jr. | Damon, Damien | Damon, Damon Jr. | |
| 2013 | Second Generation Wayans | No | Damien, Craig | Damien, Craig | Marlon, Damien, Craig | Damien, Craig, Marlon, Damon Jr. | |
| 2017-2018 | Marlon | No | Marlon | Marlon, Craig | Marlon, Craig | Marlon, Gregg, Kim | |
| 2020 | The Last O.G. | No | No | Keenen | Keenen, Craig | No | |
| 2024-2025 | Poppa's House | No | Damon | Damon, Kim, Shawn, Michael, Cara, Kyla, Amara, Aniya, Keenen | Damon, Damon Jr., Kim, Shawn | Damon, Damon Jr., Marlon, Amara, Gregg, Michael, Kim |
Specials
[edit]Television/streaming specials with the involvement of more than one member of the Wayans family:
| Year(s) | Title | Director(s) | Creator(s) | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Starring | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime | No | N/A | Keenen | No | Keenen, Damon, Kim | |
| 1989 | The Mutiny Has Just Begun: Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime III | No | No | No | No | Damon, Marlon | |
| Playing the Nutroll: Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime IV | No | No | No | No | Damon, Shawn | ||
| 2006 | Thugaboo: Sneaker Madness | Shawn | Keenen | Keenen, Marlon, Shawn | Keenen, Marlon, Shawn | Kim, Shawn | |
| A Boo Crew Christmas: A Miracle on D-Roc's Street | Shawn | Keenen, Marlon, Shawn | Keenen, Marlon, Shawn | Keenen, Marlon, Shawn | Kim, Marlon, Shawn, Craig | ||
| 2022 | Marlon Wayans Presents: The Headliners | No | Marlon | No | Marlon | Marlon, Chaunté |
Production companies
[edit]Some production incarnations/vanity cards include:
- Ivory Way Productions, a production company by Keenen.[13]
- Wife 'N Kids Productions, a production company by Damon.[14]
- Nu Systems Productions, a production company by Damon.[15]
- BabyWay Productions, a production company by Marlon.
- Next to Last Productions, a production company by Shawn.
- Wayans Bros. Entertainment, a joint production between Keenen, Shawn, and Marlon.[16]
- Amara Production Films, a production company by Damon Jr.
- Second Generations Productions, a production company by Damien Dante.[17]
- Wayans Alvarez Productions, a joint production between Marlon and Rick Alvarez.[18]
- Ugly Baby Productions, a production company by Marlon.[19]
- Two Shakes Entertainment, a production company by Damon Jr.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ Dumont, Katana (3 May 2022). "4 Ways The Wayans Family Influenced Pop Culture". Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
- ^ Morgan, Kayla (2025-02-18). "The Wayans Family: A Comedy Legacy That Changed Hollywood". 105.9 Kiss-FM. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ^ BET Staff (21 November 2023). "Black Family Dynasties We're Thankful For: From the Jacksons to the Wayans". BET. Viacom. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
- ^ "The Wayanses are the most powerful family in entertainment". EW.com. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ^ Pauker, Emily (2004-09-29). "BET laffer awards a family affair". Variety. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (13 February 2025). "Wayans Family To Be Inducted Into NAACP Image Awards' Hall Of Fame". Deadline. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
- ^ Gilmore, Kelly (1 April 2023). "Marlon Wayans' Father Howell Wayans Dead at 86". E!. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
- ^ George, Rachel (24 July 2020). "Marlon Wayans mourns the loss of his family's matriarch in touching post". Good Morning America. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
- ^ Finding Your Roots, January 19, 2016, PBS
- ^ Dawn, Randee (23 February 2025). "Wayans family: Meet the 10 siblings that make up the comedic family". Today. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
- ^ "Did You Know These 13 Celebrities Were Jehovah's Witnesses?". Essence. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1971158116778435
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2011-10-28). "Fox To Reboot 'In Living Color' With Keenen Ivory Wayans; 2 Specials Set For Midseason". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ^ "Mo' House for 'Money' Star". Los Angeles Times. 1993-08-22. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ^ Littleton, Cynthia (1997-09-11). "Carsey, Wayans pact". Variety. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2011-10-17). "Marlon Wayans To Create And Star In ABC Sibling Cop Comedy". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ^ "Second Generation Productions". Second Generation Productions. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda; D'Alessandro, Anthony (2018-08-27). "Marlon Wayans To Play Six Lead Roles In Netflix Comedy 'Sextuplets'; Reteams With Bresha Webb". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ^ White, Peter (2020-06-25). "HBO Max Signs Overall Deal With Marlon Wayans, Sets Pilot Development For Comedy 'Book Of Marlon' & Greenlights Stand-Up Specials". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2018-11-09). "Damon Wayans Jr. Launches Production Company, Sells Light Hour 'Glamorous' To the CW Through CBS TV Studios Deal". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-01-11.