Wayans family

Wayans family
Place of origin
New York City, New York, U.S.
MembersFirst Generation:

Second Generation:

Third Generation:
  • Amara
  • Aniya

The Wayans family (/ˈweɪənz/) is an American show-business family from New York City, New York. The family has notably influenced the genre of parody films. 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, Chaunté Wayans, and Gregg 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. The family was honored with the BET Comedy Icon Award at the inaugural BET Comedy Awards in 2004. In 2025, the Wayans family was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards' Hall of Fame.

History

Howell Stouten Wayans (August 26, 1936 – April 1, 2023), a supermarket manager, and his wife Elvira Alethia (née Green, July 23, 1938 – July 10, 2020), a homemaker and social worker, resided in Chelsea, New York City when they had their first child. The couple had 10 children and raised them as Jehovah's Witnesses.

Family tree

Works

Film

Films with the involvement of more than one member of the Wayans family:

Year Title Director Writer Producer Starring Close contributors
1987 Hollywood Shuffle No Keenen No Keenen, Damon, Kim Robert Townsend, John Witherspoon, Paul Mooney, Anne-Marie Johnson, Bobby McGee, Carl Alan Craig (p/a)
Eddie Murphy: Raw No Keenen (opening sketch) No Kim, Damien Robert Townsend
1988 I'm Gonna Git You Sucka Keenen Keenen No Keenen, Damon, Kim, Shawn, Marlon, Nadia David Alan Grier, John Witherspoon, Anne-Marie Johnson, Bobby McGee, Carl Alan Craig (p/a), Eric L. Gold (p), Tamara Rawitt (p)
1992 Mo' Money No Damon Damon Damon, Marlon Bernie Mac, Carl Alan Craig (p), Eric L. Gold (p)
1994 Blankman No Damon Damon Damon, Michael, Damon Jr., Cara David Alan Grier, Eric L. Gold (p)
A Low Down Dirty Shame Keenen Keenen No Keenen, Kim Eric L. Gold (p), Lee R. Mayes (p)
1995 Major Payne No Damon Damon Damon, Damien Eric L. Gold (p)
1996 Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood No Shawn, Marlon Keenen, Shawn, Marlon Shawn, Marlon, Keenen Bernie Mac, Eric L. Gold (p)
2000 Scary Movie Keenen Shawn, Marlon No Shawn, Marlon, Keenen Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Lochlyn Munro, Dave Sheridan, Jon Abrahams, Phil Beauman (w), Buddy Johnson (w), Eric L. Gold (p), Lee R. Mayes (p)
2001 Scary Movie 2 Keenen Shawn, Marlon Shawn, Marlon Shawn, Marlon, Keenen Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Chris Elliott, Alyson Fouse (w), Michael Anthony Snowden (w), Rick Alvarez (p), Eric L. Gold (p), Lee R. Mayes (p)
2004 White Chicks Keenen Keenen, Shawn, Marlon Keenen, Shawn, Marlon Shawn, Marlon Terry Crews, Lochlyn Munro, Heather McDonald, Xavier Cook (w), Michael Anthony Snowden (w), Rick Alvarez (p), Lee R. Mayes (p)
2006 Little Man Keenen Keenen, Shawn, Marlon Keenen, Shawn, Marlon Shawn, Marlon, Damien David Alan Grier, John Witherspoon, Lochlyn Munro, Dave Sheridan, Kelly Coffield Park, Rick Alvarez (p), Lee R. Mayes (p)
Behind the Smile (unreleased) Damon Damon Damon Marlon, Damon Terry Crews, Lochlyn Munro
2009 Dance Flick Damien Keenen, Shawn, Marlon, Craig, Damien Keenen, Shawn, Marlon Damon Jr., Shawn, Marlon, Keenen, Kim, Craig, Chaunté, Michael, Cara, Gregg George O. Gore II, David Alan Grier, Chris Elliott, Essence Atkins, Lochlyn Munro, Heather McDonald, Phil Beauman, Rick Alvarez (p), Michael Tiddes (p)
2014 A Haunted House 2 No Marlon Marlon Marlon, Gregg Dave Sheridan, Essence Atkins, Rick Alvarez (w/p), Michael Tiddes (p/d)
2016 Fifty Shades of Black No Marlon Marlon Marlon, Chaunté, Gregg Dave Sheridan, Rick Alvarez (w/p), Michael Tiddes (p/d)
2026 Scary Movie No Keenen, Shawn, Marlon Keenen, Shawn, Marlon, Craig Shawn, Marlon, Damon Jr., Kim, Gregg, Craig, Ilia, Mar, Shawn Howell, Axl, Keeanu Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Chris Elliott, Lochlyn Munro, Dave Sheridan, Jon Abrahams, Rick Alvarez (w/p), Michael Tiddes (d)

Television

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 Close contributors
1990–1993 In Living Color No Keenen Keenen, Damon, Kim, Marlon, Shawn Keenen Keenen, Damon, Kim, Marlon, Shawn David Alan Grier, Kelly Coffield Park, Paul Mooney (w), Tamara Rawitt (p)
1995–1998 The Wayans Bros. Marlon Marlon, Shawn Marlon, Shawn, Craig Marlon, Shawn Marlon, Shawn, Kim John Witherspoon, Kelly Coffield Park, Essence Atkins, Bernie Mac, Phil Beauman (w/a), Buddy Johnson (w), Xavier Cook (w/p), Eric L. Gold (p)
1996–1997 Waynehead No Damon Damon Damon Marlon, Shawn, Kim David Alan Grier, John Witherspoon, Eric L. Gold (p)
1997–1998 413 Hope St. No Damon Damon Damon Damien Kelly Coffield Park
2001–2005 My Wife and Kids Damien, Kim, Craig Damon Damon, Kim, Craig, Damien, Damon Jr., Elvira Damon, Craig, Kim, Damien Damon, Damon Jr., Michael, Cara, Kyla, Keenen George O. Gore II, David Alan Grier, Terry Crews, Kelly Coffield Park, Buddy Johnson (w/a/p), Alyson Fouse (w), Eric L. Gold (p)
2006 The Underground Damon, Damien Damon Damon, Damien, Damon Jr. Damon, Damien Damon, Damon Jr.
2011–2013 Happy Endings No No No No Damon, Damon Jr. David Alan Grier
2013 Second Generation Wayans No Damien, Craig Damien, Craig Marlon, Damien, Craig Damien, Craig, Marlon, Damon Jr. George O. Gore II (w/a), Regina Hall, Terry Crews, Jon Abrahams, Alyson Fouse (w/p), Xavier Cook (w), Rick Alvarez (p)
2014 Funniest Wins No Craig No No Marlon, Damon Jr. Rick Alvarez (p)
2017–2018 Marlon No Marlon Marlon, Craig Marlon, Craig Marlon, Gregg, Kim Essence Atkins
2020 Happy Together No No Craig Craig Damon, Damon Jr.
2020 The Last O.G. No No Keenen Keenen, Craig No
2023–present Raid the Cage No No No Damon Jr., Michael Damon Jr.
2024–2025 Poppa's House Kim, Damien Damon Damon, Kim, Shawn, Michael, Cara, Kyla, Amara, Aniya, Keenen Jr. Damon, Damon Jr., Kim, Shawn Damon, Damon Jr., Marlon, Amara, Gregg, Michael, Kim Essence Atkins, Phil Beauman (w/a/p)

Specials

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 Close contributors
1987 Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime No N/A Keenen No Keenen, Damon, Kim John Witherspoon, Anne-Marie Johnson, Paul Mooney, Carl Alan Craig (p/a), Bobby McGee
1988 Take No Prisoners: Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime II No N/A Keenen No Damon, Kim, Shawn, Marlon David Alan Grier, John Witherspoon, Paul Mooney, Carl Alan Craig (p)
1989 One Night Stand - "Damon Wayans" No No Damon No Damon, Damon Jr., Michael Carl Alan Craig (p)
The Mutiny Has Just Begun: Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime III No N/A No No Damon, Marlon David Alan Grier, Anne-Marie Johnson, Bobby McGee, John Witherspoon, Carl Alan Craig (p/a)
Playing the Nutroll: Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime IV No N/A No No Damon, Shawn John Witherspoon, Carl Alan Craig (p)
1993 Soul Train Comedy Awards No No Keenen, Damon, Kim, Marlon, Shawn No Keenen, Damon, Kim, Marlon, Shawn David Alan Grier, John Witherspoon
1998 Comics Come Home 4 No No Marlon, Shawn No Marlon, Shawn
2000 2000 MTV Video Music Awards No No Marlon, Shawn, Craig No Marlon, Shawn Phil Beauman (w), Buddy Johnson (w), Alyson Fouse (w)
2004 BET Comedy Awards No No No No Keenen, Damon, Marlon, Elvira Green Wayans David Alan Grier, Xavier Cook (w), Michael Anthony Snowden (w)
2006 BET Awards 2006 No No Damon Jr. No Damon, Keenen, Shawn, Marlon Michael Anthony Snowden (w)
Thugaboo: Sneaker Madness Shawn Keenen Keenen, Marlon, Shawn Keenen, Marlon, Shawn Kim, Shawn George O. Gore II, David Alan Grier, Heather McDonald, Michael Anthony Snowden (w)
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 George O. Gore II, David Alan Grier, John Witherspoon, Lochlyn Munro, Jon Abrahams, Heather McDonald, Buddy Johnson (w/a), Michael Anthony Snowden (w)
2022 Marlon Wayans Presents: The Headliners No N/A Marlon, Chaunté Marlon Marlon, Chaunté
2024 Marlon Wayans: Good Grief No N/A Marlon Marlon, Craig Marlon Rick Alvarez (p)
2025 56th NAACP Image Awards No No No No Damon, Kim, Marlon, Damon Jr., Craig, Damien, Chaunté David Alan Grier

Solo projects

These are movies, TV shows, and TV specials starring a member of the Wayans family in a prominent role that do not feature major involvement from other members of the Wayans family:

Production companies

Some production incarnations/vanity cards include:

References

  1. ↑ "Black Family Dynasties We're Thankful For: From the Jacksons to the Wayans". Bet.com. 21 November 2023. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  2. ↑ Schwartz, Missy (June 23, 2006). "The Wayanses are the most powerful family in entertainment". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  3. ↑ Pauker, Emily (2004-09-29). "BET laffer awards a family affair". Variety. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
  4. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (13 February 2025). "Wayans Family To Be Inducted Into NAACP Image Awards' Hall Of Fame". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  5. ↑ Gilmore, Kelly (1 April 2023). "Marlon Wayans' Father Howell Wayans Dead at 86". E!. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ Finding Your Roots, January 19, 2016, PBS
  8. ↑ Davis, Rachaell (24 May 2025). "Did You Know These 13 Celebrities Were Jehovah's Witnesses?". Essence. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  9. ↑ Dawn, Randee (23 February 2025). "Wayans family: Meet the 10 siblings that make up the comedic family". Today. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  10. ↑ Dixon, Delaina. "Wayans Family Reunites at Scary Movie Premiere". Ebony.com. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
  11. ↑ Peisner, David. Homey Don't Play That!: The Story of In Living Color and the Black Comedy Revolution. 37 Ink. ISBN 1501143328.
  12. ↑ Niemietz, Brian (2017-09-14). "Keenen Ivory Wayans surprises his model daughter Nala at her runway debut". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on 30 Aug 2025. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
  13. ↑ LaCroix, April (April 20, 2026). "Damon Wayans' 4 Kids (and Costars!): All About Damon Wayans Jr., Michael, Cara and Kyla". People.com. Archived from the original on 2025-04-07. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
  14. ↑ Norris, John (2024-06-21). "Band To Watch: Been Stellar". Stereogum. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
  15. ↑ "First Run Film Festival - Me (and You)". NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
  16. ↑ Oksenhorn, Stewart (2006-03-07). "Stand-up guys: Wayans brothers look behind the laughs". AspenTimes.com. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. ↑ "Mo' House for 'Money' Star". Los Angeles Times. 1993-08-22. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  19. ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (1997-09-11). "Carsey, Wayans pact". Variety. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  20. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (2011-10-17). "Marlon Wayans To Create And Star In ABC Sibling Cop Comedy". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
  21. ↑ "Second Generation Productions". Second Generation Productions. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  22. ↑ 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.
  23. ↑ 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.
  24. ↑ 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.