Damon Wayans Jr.

Early life

Wayans was born on November 18, 1982, in Huntington, Vermont, to Lisa Thorner and actor and comedian Damon Wayans of the Wayans family. He has three younger siblings: Michael, Cara Mia, and Kyla.

Career

Wayans made his film debut in 1994 when he was cast in his father's feature film, Blankman, playing Young Kevin. He later appeared on his father's sitcom My Wife and Kids as John, one of Junior's friends. He later worked as a staff writer on the series.

He appeared in and served as a writer on The Underground. Wayans Jr. also surprised audiences when he garnered a standing ovation during his debut appearance on Def Comedy Jam. He starred in the Wayans family comedy Dance Flick as the film's main character, Thomas.

From April 2011 to May 2013, Wayans starred as Brad Williams, one of the lead characters in the ABC comedy series Happy Endings, alongside Eliza Coupe, Elisha Cuthbert, Zachary Knighton, Adam Pally, and Casey Wilson. Despite critical acclaim and a cult following, the show was cancelled by ABC after concluding its third season on May 3, 2013.

Wayans was nominated for "Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series" at the NAACP Image Awards and Critic's Choice Television Awards for his work on Happy Endings.

On May 16, 2011, the Fox Network announced that it had picked up the Zooey Deschanel anchored comedy New Girl, which featured Wayans in the supporting role of Coach. However, Happy Endings had already been picked up for a second season on rival network ABC. The producers of New Girl initially planned to recast Wayans' role, but later decided not to recast nor reshoot the pilot episode in which he appeared. Instead, starting with the second episode, Wayans' character was substituted with Lamorne Morris, playing the role of Winston, a former roommate who had been pursuing a professional basketball career in Latvia.

With Happy Endings cancelled after its third season, it was announced in July 2013 that Wayans would return for at least four episodes of New Girl in the upcoming third season. In November 2013, it was announced that Wayans would remain on the show for the rest of season 3. In May 2014, it was announced Wayans would return as a series regular for season four. In October 2018, it was announced that Wayans would be starring in a sitcom entitled Happy Together, alongside Amber Stevens West. It was canceled after 13 episodes, due to low ratings. In 2024, he starred alongside his father Damon Wayans Sr. on Poppa's House, loosely inspired by their actual life. It was canceled after 18 episodes due to low ratings.

Personal life

Wayans has six children. He has two daughters with high school ex-girlfriend Aja Metoyer. He has four children with his current wife Samara Saraiva: two daughters and two sons. They also have one granddaughter named Itali, from daughter Berlyn Wayans and her high school ex-boyfriend, Mike Price.

Filmography

Film

Television

References

References

1. "Signal Staff and Wire Services", November 18, 2011. ''Santa Clarita Valley Signal'', "[https://archive.today/20130203150000/http://www.the-signal.com/section/36/article/54790/ Today in the SCV: Friday, Nov. 18, 2011]". Accessed November 29, 2011.
2. [http://www.filmreference.com/film/71/Damon-Wayans.html Damon Wayans Biography (1960— )]. Filmreference.com. Retrieved on December 30, 2011.
3. (November 19, 2012). "'Happy Endings': Damon Wayans Jr. Talks Season 3, Negative Cast Rumors". The Huffington Post.
4. "Person Details for Damon Kyle Wayans, "Vermont, Vital Records, 1760-2008" — FamilySearch.org". familysearch.org.
5. [http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/wayans%20believes%20in%20stern%20upbringing "Wayans Believes in Stern Upbringing"] {{Webarchive. link. (January 9, 2009 , contactmusic.com, April 30, 2004.)
6. [https://deadline.com/2011/05/abc-renews-happy-endings-131601/ ABC Renews 'Happy Endings', Fox's 'New Girl' To Recast Damon Wayans Jr. –]. Deadline.com. Retrieved on December 30, 2011.
7. [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/new-girl-lamorne-morris-replaces-209270 'New Girl': Lamorne Morris Replaces Damon Wayans Jr. in Fox Comedy]. Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on December 30, 2011.
8. (July 15, 2013). "Damon Wayans Jr. Reprising 'New Girl' Role for Season 3 Arc". The Hollywood Reporter.
9. Hibberd, James. (November 6, 2011). "'New Girl' scoop: Damon Wayans Jr. commits to whole season". adweek.com.
10. "Dwyane Wade and Damon Wayans Jr. beef after Aja Metoyer baby mama drama? 'Happy Endings' actor 'doesn't want kids to get hurt,' how does Gabrielle Union feel?". Mstarz.
11. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. (December 17, 2015). "From Universal Pictures Home Entertainment: The Land Before Time: Journey of the Brave". PR Newswire.