Wayans family

Wayans family
Place of originNew York City, New York, U.S.
Members

The Wayans family (/ˈweɪənz/) is an American show-business family from New York City, New York. Family members include siblings Dwayne, Keenen Ivory, Diedra, Damon Sr., Kim, Elvira, Nadia, Devonne, Shawn, and Marlon. The next generation includes Damon Wayans Jr., Damien Dante Wayans, and Chaunté Wayans. Works created by Wayans family members include the Scary Movie film series, The Wayans Bros., In Living Color, Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, White Chicks, My Wife and Kids, and Little Man.

The Wayans family notably redefined the genre of comedy, parody films; created numerous cult classics; and are credited with influencing the modern-day Super Bowl halftime show.[1]

The Wayans are one of the most influential families in entertainment history.[2] In 2025, the Wayans family was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards’ Hall of Fame.[3]

History

Howell Stouten Wayans (August 26, 1936 – April 1, 2023),[4] a supermarket manager, and his wife Elvira Alethia (née Green, July 23, 1938 – July 10, 2020),[5] a homemaker and social worker, resided in Chelsea, New York City when they had their first child.[6] The couple had 10 children.[7]

Family tree

  • 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.
    • 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)

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
  • Eddie Murphy Raw (1987), a stand-up comedy film produced by Keenen also featuring Damien (opening sketch) and Kim (un-credited)
  • 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, Kim appears on a few episodes.
  • 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), a short-lived 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 was the most profitable movie ever to be directed by an African American, until the release of Fantastic Four in 2005. 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
  • A Haunted House (2013) and A Haunted House 2 (2014), a comedy film duology written and directed by Marlon, that satirizes the "found footage" horror genre.
  • Poppa's House (2024–25), a sitcom starring Damon and Damon, Jr. that airs on CBS. Multiple Wayanses are in the writing room.

Some production incarnations/vanity cards include:

References

  1. ^ Dumont, Katana (3 May 2022). "4 Ways The Wayans Family Influenced Pop Culture". Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  2. ^ BET Staff (21 November 2023). "Black Family Dynasties We're Thankful For: From the Jacksons to the Wayans". BET. Viacom. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  3. ^ Hipes, Patrick (13 February 2025). "Wayans Family To Be Inducted Into NAACP Image Awards' Hall Of Fame". Deadline. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  4. ^ Gilmore, Kelly (1 April 2023). "Marlon Wayans' Father Howell Wayans Dead at 86". E!. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Finding Your Roots, January 19, 2016, PBS
  7. ^ Dawn, Randee (23 February 2025). "Wayans family: Meet the 10 siblings that make up the comedic family". Today. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
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