Royal Families Of Hollywood: The Wayans

On Sunday April 15, 1990 the face of television was changed forever with the premiere of the Fox comedy sketch show “In Living Color.” The brainchild of Keenan Ivory Wayans and his brother Damon, “In Living Color” was a sharp and hilarious take on pop culture from the black perspective. Keenan recruited his equally talented siblings Kim, Damon, Marlon and Shawn in his comical hijinks bringing laughter to millions of viewers across the country. Almost 25 years later, the Wayans still have an influential foothold in Hollywood.

Keenan Ivory Wayans

Keenan put the Wayans name on the map when he and brother Damon created the comedy sketch show “In Living Color.” The show would also launch the careers of Jim Carrey, David Alan Grier, and future Oscar winner Jamie Foxx. Keenan would continue his trail of success with the “Scary Movie” – the highest grossing movie ever directed by an African-American.

Damon Wayans

Damon made his mark on “In Living Color” with the cantakerous Homey D. Clown and flamboyant “culture critic” Blaine Edwards. After dabbling on the big screen with roles in “Blankman” and “The Last Boy Scout” Damon found his niche as TV dad Michael Kyle on the hit ABC sitcom “My Wife And Kids” from 2001-2005.

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Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans

Considered the pretty boy of the Wayans Brothers, Shawn set female hearts aflutter each week spinning the wheels of steels as SW-1 on “In Living Color.” Shawn and Marlon would team up and find their own fame and fortune on their sitcom “The Wayans Brothers.” They continued their hot streak in “Scary Movie” and “White Girls” and most recently Marlon’s “A Haunted House.”

Kim Wayans

The lone female amongst her talented brothers, Kim has proven she’s inherited the Wayans funny bone as well. Kim cracked us up with her dead on impressions of Oprah and Whitney on “In Living Color” and put in her sitcom time on the last three seasons of “In The House” with LL Cool J. Kim showed the world her dramatic chops as the uptight mother of a teenage lesbian in the critically acclaimed “Pariah” in 2011.

Damon Wayans Jr., Damien Wayans, Craig Wayans

The Wayans dynasty continues with these newbies on the scene. Damon Wayans Jr. can be seen weekly on the ABC sitcom “Happy Endings.” Damien and Craig, are creators and producers of the mockumentary “Second Generation Wayans” on BET.

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