Summary

• The Wayans family has a long history in Hollywood, with multiple members involved in acting, comedy, directing, and writing.
• They have created iconic TV shows like In Living Color and The Wayans Bros., as well as popular movies like the Scary Movie franchise and White Chicks.
• The Wayans family showcases versatility and range, appearing in a variety of genres from big-budget action films to indie projects, and even in critically acclaimed films by renowned directors.

When looking at the Wayans family tree, it showcases a long line of talented actors and artists. Like other legacy families within the entertainment industry, such as the Coppolas and the Barrymores, the Wayans are an extensive family in which most members have been actively involved in Hollywood. Whether as an actor, a comedian, a director, or a screenwriter, each of the most famous and well-known members of the Wayans family has had their hand in the art and business of entertainment, and together they have contributed to several iconic movies and TV shows.

For example, the Wayans family has created TV shows like In Living Color and The Wayans Bros. and movies such as Little Man, the Scary Movie franchise, and White Chicks, which may get a sequel. Additionally, outside the projects that they've created, the Wayans have also been prominently featured in a variety of other films and series. Ranging from big-budget action movies to popular mainstream sitcoms to even small arthouse indie films, the Wayans family has consistently proven to have not just a lot of talent, but range as well.

Howell And Elvira Wayans (87 and 82)

Wayans patriarch and matriarch

Howell and Elvira are respectively the former patriarch and matriarch of the Wayans family. Unlike most of the other members of the Wayans family, Howell and Elvira Wayans have no personal connection with Hollywood. Instead, Howell Wayans was the manager of a supermarket and Elvira Wayans was a social worker (via The U.S. Sun). Sadly, both Howell and Elvira Wayans have passed away, with Elvira in 2020 and Howell in 2023.

Keenan Ivory Wayans (65)

Howell & Elvira Wayans' son

Keenan Ivory Wayans is best known for creating, writing, and directing some of the most iconic movies and shows associated with the Wayans family. For example, he wrote, created, and starred in the predominately Black sketch comedy series, In Living Color, which featured many Wayans siblings, as well as other actors that would later become famous like Tommy Davidson, David Alan Grier, T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh, and Bruce Almighty star Jim Carrey. Wayans also directed features like the first two Scary Movie films, White Chicks, Little Man, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, and A Low Down Dirty Shame​​​​​.

Damon Wayans Sr. (63)

Howell & Elvira Wayans' son

Damon Wayans Sr. is best knownd for writing and creating various movies and TV shows in which he also stars. For example, within the world of film, Wayans Sr. both wrote and appeared Major Payne as Major Benson Winifred Payne, Blankman as the titular superhero whose alter ego is Darryl Walker, and Mo' Money as Johnny Stewart. Additionally, Wayans Sr. also created, wrote, and played the lead character in various TV shows, most notably Damon as Damon Thomas and My Wife and Kids as Michael Kyle. Wayans Sr. is also best known for playing Roger Murtaugh in the canceled Lethal Weapon series.

Damon Wayans Jr. (40)

Damon Wayans' son

Damon Wayans Jr. has found great success within the world of TV as he is best known for his roles as Brad Williams in the sitcom Happy Endings and Coach in Elizabeth Meriwether's beloved sitcom New Girl. Additionally, outside of playing these characters, Wayans Jr. has also appeared in guest roles for various critically acclaimed sitcoms like Brooklyn Nine-Nine as Detective Stevie Schillens, Curb Your Enthusiasm as a police officer, and Bob's Burgers as Arnold. In film, Wayans Jr. has been featured in Let's Be Cops as Justin Miller, Big Hero 6 as Wasabi, and Super Troopers 2 as Trooper Wagner.

Elvira Alethia Wayans (59)

Howell & Elvira Wayans' daughter

Unlike the other members of the Wayans family, Elvira Alethia Wayans has not only lived a private life, but she has also appeared to have removed herself from Hollywood altogether. Wayans' only IMDb credits are as a writer and assistant to writers for her brother Damon's show My Wife and Kids, along with a thank-you credit from her brother Marlon for The Curse of Bridge Hollow. However, Elvira Alethia Wayans does have two kids who are active in Hollywood: Damien Dante and Chaunté Wayans.

Damien Dante Wayans (43)

Elvira Alethia Wayans' son

The son of Elvira Alethia Wayans, Damien Dante Wayans first began his career as an actor by playing small roles in various Wayans family projects like In Living Color, Major Payne, and Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood. He secured his first major acting role when he played Tec in the film Malibu's Most Wanted. Outside of acting, Wayans has also served as a writer and director in various other creative projects, most notably Damon Wayans' My Wife and Kids and the film Dance Flick, which was his directorial debut.

Kim Wayans (62)

Howell & Elvira Wayans' daughter

Kim Wayans has proven to be a very versatile actress, as she has given terrific performances in comedies like In Living Color, Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, and Dance Flick, while also showcasing her dramatic talent in movies and shows like Pariah as Audrey, Hawaii Five-0 as Diane, and Criminal Minds as Darlene Beckett. Wayans is also a screenwriter as she wrote several episodes for My Wife and Kids.

Shawn Wayans (52)

Howell & Elvira Wayans' son

Shawn Wayans is best known for co-creating and starring in the sitcom,The Wayans Brothers, in which starred alongside his brother Marlon Wayans, as well as other actors and comedians like John Witherspoon and Anna Maria Horsford. Shawn also co-wrote the screenplays for the first two Scary Movie films with Marlon, as well as playing the character Ray Wilkins in both movies. He also co-wrote and had starring roles in other Wayans family productions like White Chicks as Kevin Copeland, Little Man as Darryl Edwards, and Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood as Ashtray.

Marlon Wayans (51)

Howell & Elvira Wayans' son

Marlon Wayans is best known for co-creating, co-writing, and co-starring many Wayans family-produced projects like The Wayans Bros as Marlon Williams, the first two Scary Movie films as Shorty Meeks, White Chicks as Marcus Copeland, and Little Man as Clavin "Babyface" Sims. Additionally, outside these entertaining comedies that involve the Wayans family tree, Marlon Wayans has also had the opportunity to work with several critically acclaimed directors. He has appeared in films like Darren Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream as Tyrone C. Love, the Coen Brothers' The Ladykillers as Gawain MacSam, Sofia Coppola's On the Rocks as Dean, and Ben Affleck's Air as George Raveling.