Damon Wayans' gift for performing developed when he was a child as a way to capture the attention of his parents and nine siblings. Over the years, his unique comic style has brought him success on stage, television, and film.
For three seasons Mr. Wayans co-starred in and wrote for the critically acclaimed Emmy Award-winning series In Living Color, for which he also personally received two Emmy nominations. Throughout his time on the show he created several unique and memorable characters and sketches, including "Homey the Clown," "Handiman" and the wildly popular "Men on Film." Other television credits include Damon. He was the creator and executive producer of 413 Hope Street, an hour-long drama which was nominated for a People's Choice Award. Additionally Mr. Wayans served as an executive producer on Waynehead, a Saturday morning animated show for the WB network which featured the voices of siblings Kim, Marlon and Shawn Wayans.
On the big screen Mr. Wayans starred in Bamboozled, a film written and directed by Spike Lee. Additionally he starred in and executive-produced the independent film Harlem Aria. Other feature credits include starring roles in Major Payne, Blankman, Bulletproof and Mo' Money—which he also wrote and executive-produced—as well as The Great White Hype, Celtic Pride, The Last Boy Scout, Earth Girls are Easy, I'm Gonna Git You, Sucka, Colors, Punchline, Hollywood Shuffle, Roxanne and Beverly Hills Cop.
Mr. Wayans has also enjoyed success in the world of standup: After beginning his career in 1982 touring the comedy club circuit, he landed a role as a featured performer on the famed Saturday Night Live. He then went on to star in his own critically acclaimed HBO specials, One Night Stand, The Last Stand? and Still Standing.
Wayans is no less talented as an author. May of 1999 saw the release of Bootleg, a humorous compilation of his observations regarding family, children, marriage, and politics. The book was a tremendous success and quickly reached the New York Times Bestseller List.
Mr. Wayans was the recipient of the 2002 People's Choice Award for Favorite Male Performer in a New Television Series for his role in My Wife and Kids. He resides in Los Angeles.