Wayans family

The Wayans family /ˈweɪ.ənz/^[1] is an American family with many successful directors, screenwriters, comedians and actors. Their parents are Howell and Elvira Wayans and there are ten siblings in the first generation. The second generation has a few currently working in the entertainment industry as well.

Dwayne Kim Wayans

(born 1956), American writer and composer and break dancer.

Keenen Ivory Wayans

(born 1958), American actor, comedian, director and writer. He has five children.

• Jolie Ivory Imani Wayans (born 1992)
• Nala Wayans (born 1996)
• Keenen Ivory Wayans, Jr. (born 1998)
• Bella Wayans (born 2001)
• Daphne Ivory Wayans (born 2003)

Damon Wayans, Sr.

(born 1960), American actor, comedian and producer. He has two sons and two daughters.

• Damon Wayans, Jr. (born 1982), American actor, comedian, and screenwriter
• Michael Wayans (born 1985), American actor. He has a daughter Ava Marie Jean (2014) with Vanessa Simmons (daughter of Run DMC member Joseph Simmons)
• Cara Mia Wayans (born 1987), American actress
• Kyla Wayans (born 1991), American actress

Kim Wayans

(born 1961), American actress

Shawn Wayans

(born 1971), American actor and writer has three children

• Laila Wayans (born 1999)
• Illia Wayans (born 2003)
• Marlon Wayans (born 2005)

Marlon Wayans

(born 1972), American actor and writer. He has two children.

• Shawn Howell Wayans (born 2001)
• Amai Zackary Wayans

Nadia Wayans

American actress

Elvira Wayans

American screenwriter

• Damien Wayans (born 1980), American actor, screenwriter, television producer, and director
• Chaunté Wayans (born 1982), American actress, comedienne and editor

Diedre Wayans

American screenwriter and producer

Craig Wayans

American screenwriter, television producer, director, and actor

• Summer Wayans, American model, actress
• Gregg Wayans, American actor, comedian
• Justin Wayans-Benson
• Jamel Wayans-Benson
• Brandee Wayans-Benson

Vonnie Wayans

American screenwriter

Works

Film and television productions with the involvement of more than one member of the Wayans family include:

• Hollywood Shuffle (1987), a film co-written by Keenen and featuring Keenen, Damon and Kim
• I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988), a film by Keenen also featuring Damon, Kim, Shawn and Marlon
• In Living Color (1990-1994), a sketch comedy show created by Keenen and Damon also featuring Kim, Shawn and Marlon
• Mo' Money (1992), a film written by Damon and starring Damon and Marlon
• Blankman (1994), a superhero parody film starring and co-written by Damon, featuring cameos by Damon's children
• A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994), a film by Keenen starring Keenen, also featuring Kim
• Major Payne (1995), co-written by, co-produced by and starring Damon and featuring Damien Dante Wayans
• The Wayans Bros. (1995-1999), a situation comedy starring brothers Shawn and Marlon
• Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996), co-written by and starring Shawn and Marlon, produced by Keenen (who also appears in the film)
• Waynehead (1996-1997), an animated series created by Damon with Shawn, Marlon and Kim
• Scary Movie (2000-2013), a film franchise created by Keenen, Shawn, and Marlon; the first installment is the most profitable movie ever to be directed by an African American. The Wayans were only involved with the first two films, but are still credited for the subsequent movies.
• My Wife and Kids (2001-2005) with Damon Wayans, which included Kim, Damien, Craig, Damon Jr. and Elvira among its writers, and featured many family members in guest roles
• White Chicks (2004), a film directed by Keenen, co-written and co-produced by Keenen, Shawn and Marlon, and starring Shawn and Marlon
• Little Man (2006), a film directed by Keenen, written and co-produced by Keenen, Shawn and Marlon, and starring Shawn and Marlon
• Thugaboo (2006), animated children's TV specials
• The Underground (2006), a sketch comedy show created by and starring Damon, featuring Damon Wayans, Jr., with music by Dwayne Wayans
• Dance Flick (2009), a film directed by Damien Dante Wayans, written by many members of the family, and starring Damon Wayans, Jr. and other Wayans family members
• Second Generation Wayans (2013), a TV show co-produced by and co-starring Damien and Craig

References