Wayans

Wayans is a prominent American family of comedians, writers, actors, and producers who have had a major impact on television and film comedy. The core siblings—Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Marlon Wayans—built long-running careers beginning in stand-up and sketch work in New York City and later in national television. The family is often associated with collaborative, multi-generational projects and a distinctive approach to parody and satire.

The Wayans family achieved wide recognition with In Living Color, a sketch comedy series that aired on Fox from 1990 to 1994 and was created by Keenen Ivory Wayans. The show helped launch or accelerate the careers of several performers and established the brothers’ voice in contemporary American humor. They subsequently produced and starred in a string of film projects, including Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) and the Scary Movie film series (beginning in 2000), which popularized spoof comedies built around genre tropes. White Chicks (2004), starring Shawn and Marlon Wayans, is another high-profile example of their work in feature film.

Damon Wayans Jr., the son of Damon Wayans, has established his own career in television and film, with roles in shows such as Happy Endings and in films like Let’s Be Cops. The Wayans family is noted for collaborative writing and producing across projects, contributing to American comedy through a recognizable, multi-generational presence in entertainment.