Damon Wayans

Damon Wayans Headshot

Comedian • Actor • Writer

Birth Date: September 4, 1960

Age: 63 years old

Birth Place: Harlem, New York

Children: Damon Wayans Jr.

Siblings: Marlon Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Kim Wayans

Born in Harlem in New York City in 1960, to a supermarket manager father and a homemaker mother, Damon Wayans was one of ten children and suffered from a club foot as a child. Wayans graduated from Murry Bergtraum High School before beginning a career in standup comedy in 1982. Wayans had a cameo in the Eddie Murphy movie "Beverly Hills Cop" in 1984 and appeared on "Saturday Night Live" (NBC, 1975-) on seven episodes between 1985 and 1986. His employment was terminated after improvised during a sketch. In 1990 he and his brother Keenen Ivory Wayans created the TV series "In Living Color" (Fox, 1990-94). The show was influential particularly to African-American comedians. Wayans himself departed the show in 1992 to focus on making movies. He starred in "Mo' Money" (1992), "Major Payne" (1995), "Celtic Pride" (1996), Bulletproof (1996), and "The Great White Hype" (1996). Wayans appeared in "Damon", (Fox, 1998) a comedy series he created wherein he portrayed a detective in Chicago. The show was cancelled after one season. In 2001 Wayans starred in "My Wife and Kids" (ABC, 2001-05), a sitcom about family life. While still pursuing standup on the side as his movie and television career developed, Wayans announced that he would retire from standup in 2015. In 2016 Wayans was cast in the TV adaptation of "Lethal Weapon" (Fox, 2016- ) as Roger Murtaugh, the role originated by Danny Glover in the film series.

Credits

Poppa's House

Actor
Poppa
Series
2024

Poppa's House

Executive Producer
Series
2024

Poppa's House

Writer
Series
2024

Cinnamon

Actor
Wally
Movie
2023

Sherri

Guest
Talk
2022

Live in Front of a Studio Audience

Actor
Willis
Special
2021

Happy TogetherStream

Guest Star
Mike
Series
2018
53%

Lethal WeaponStream

Actor
Roger Murtaugh
Series
2016
89%

Lethal Weapon: Extras

Actor
Show
2016

Nail'd It: Extras

Actor
Show
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Guest
Talk
2014

The Real

Guest
Talk
2013

Happy EndingsStream

Guest Star
Francis Williams
Series
2011
76%

The Talk

Guest
Talk
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

In the House With Peter Bart & Peter Guber

Guest
Show
2009

The Wendy Williams Show

Guest
Talk
2008

Rachael Ray ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2006

The Underground

Actor
Show
2006

Pepsi's Play for a Billion

Host
Show
2004

Tavis Smiley

Guest
Talk
2004

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Guest
Talk
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

Marci X

Actor
Dr. S
Movie
2003

My Wife and KidsStream

Actor
Michael Kyle
Series
2001

My Wife and KidsStream

Executive Producer
Series
2001

My Wife and KidsStream

Writer
Series
2001

Live With Regis and Kelly

Guest
Show
2001

Bamboozled

Actor
Pierre Delacroix
Movie
2000

The 1999 World Music Awards

Host
Show
1999

The Mark Twain Prize Honoring Richard Pryor

Guest
Show
1999

The Daily Show With Jon StewartStream

Guest
Talk
1999

Goosed

Actor
Dr. Steven Hamel
Movie
1999

Harlem Aria

Actor
Wes
Movie
1999

Harlem Aria

Executive Producer
Movie
1999

Damon

Actor
Damon Thomas
Show
1998

Damon

Executive Producer
Show
1998

413 Hope St.

Executive Producer
Series
1997
17%

Celtic Pride

Actor
Lewis Scott
Movie
1996

The Great White HypeStream

Actor
James "The Grim Reaper" Roper
Movie
1996
42%

BulletproofStream

Actor
Rock Keats/Jack Carter
Movie
1996
8%

Major Payne

Actor
Maj. Benson Payne
Movie
1995

Major Payne

Executive Producer
Movie
1995

Major Payne

Screenwriter
Movie
1995

Blankman

Actor
Darryl Walker
Movie
1994

Blankman

Executive Producer
Movie
1994

Blankman

Screenwriter
Movie
1994

Mo' Money

Actor
Johnny Stewart
Movie
1992

The Last Boy ScoutStream

Actor
Jimmy Dix
Movie
1991
46%

In Living Color

Actor
Series
1990

Look Who's Talking Too

Voice
Eddie
Movie
1990

One-Night Stand

Actor
Show
1989

Earth Girls Are EasyStream

Actor
Zeebo
Movie
1989
68%

ColorsStream

Actor
T-Bone
Movie
1988
77%

A Different WorldStream

Guest Star
Series
1987

RoxanneStream

Actor
Jerry
Movie
1987
88%

Saturday Night LiveStream

Actor
Series
1975

Saturday Night LiveStream

Host
Series
1975

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutDamon Wayans

Damon Wayans Sr and Damon Wayans Jr

Damon Wayans & Damon Wayans Jr. to Star Together in Father & Son Sitcom

The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes Live casts Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Hart, and Kathryn Hahn

Who’s Playing Who in the ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ & ‘Facts of Life’ Live Episodes (PHOTOS)

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Will ‘Lethal Weapon’ Return for Season 4? And Will Damon Wayans Be Back?

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Finale

‘Lethal Weapon’ EP & Star Tease a ‘Wedding From Hell’ in the Season 3 Finale (VIDEO)

The Simpsons

Fox at TCA 2019: ‘Simpsons’ Two-Season Renewal, Boss Calls ‘Rent’ Understudy ‘Impractical’

Damon Wayans in the 'Roger & Me' episode of 'Lethal Weapon'
Exclusive

‘Lethal Weapon: Can Murtaugh Really Pull Off His Classic Fight Moves? (VIDEO)

Lethal Weapon - Seann William Scott, Damon Wayans
Exclusive

‘Lethal Weapon’ Sneak Peek: Deck the Halls With… A Puzzle of Body Parts (VIDEO)

Lethal Weapon
Preview

‘Lethal Weapon’ EP Reveals What to Expect from Series’ Christmas Episode

Lethal Weapon - Damon Wayans, Seann William Scott
Exclusive

‘Lethal Weapon’ Sneak Peek: Oops! Cole Makes a Bad First Impression (VIDEO)

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Q&A

Damon Wayans Jr. Talks His Dad’s Return to Comedy in ‘Happy Together’ Guest Spot

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5 Actors Who Could Replace Damon Wayans on ‘Lethal Weapon’

Lethal Weapon - Damon Wayans

Damon Wayans Reveals He’s Leaving ‘Lethal Weapon’ (VIDEO)

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Preview

Damon Wayans Jr. & Amber Stevens West Talk ‘Happy Together’ — Plus, Scoop on Damon Wayans Sr.’s Role!

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Exclusive

‘Lethal Weapon’ Premiere: Murtaugh’s Family Worries About Him Losing Riggs (VIDEO)

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Exclusive

‘Lethal Weapon’ Sneak Peek: Murtaugh Grieves Over Riggs in Season 3 Premiere (VIDEO)

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‘Lethal Weapon’ Premiere Sneak Peek: Meet the Family of Seann William Scott’s Cole (PHOTOS)

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WATCH: ‘Lethal Weapon’ Season 3 Trailer Shows Seann William Scott in Action

Lethal Weapon - Damon Wayans, Seann William Scott

‘Lethal Weapon’ Season 3 First Look: Murtaugh & Cole Share a Beer

Damon Wayans in the 'Family Ties' of Lethal Weapon

‘Lethal Weapon’ Star Damon Wayans Details a ‘Lighter’ & ‘Fun’ Season 3

Untitled design (83)
Exclusive

‘Lethal Weapon’ EP Matt Miller Talks Clayne Crawford’s Exit & Seann William Scott’s Dynamic With Damon Wayans

Damon Wayans and Clayne Crawford in the 'Funny Money' winter premiere episode of Lethal Weapon

How Will Riggs Leave ‘Lethal Weapon’? 3 Theories for Clayne Crawford’s Exit

Lethal Weapon, season 1

‘Lethal Weapon’: Shocking Audio of Clayne Crawford & Damon Wayans’s On-Set Feud

Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans in 'Lethal Weapon'

Damon Wayans Slams Fired ‘Lethal Weapon’ Star Clayne Crawford, Shares Graphic Video From Set

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‘Lethal Weapon’ Star Clayne Crawford Responds to Being Fired From Fox Series

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Could ‘Lethal Weapon’ Be Canceled Over Clayne Crawford’s Reported Behavior?

Lethal Weapon - Clayne Crawford and Keesha Sharp
Preview

‘Lethal Weapon’: Keesha Sharp on the Rift Between Roger and Trish

Chandler Kinney plays Riana Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon
Q&A

‘Lethal Weapon’: Chandler Kinney on If Murtaugh Can Solve Riana’s Boy Trouble

Lethal Weapon - Clayne Crawford, Damon Wayans
Exclusive

‘Lethal Weapon’: Will Riggs’ Anger Cost Him His Badge? (VIDEO)

Lethal Weapon - Damon Wayans, Johnathan Fernandez
Exclusive

‘Lethal Weapon’: Why Will Scorsese Be Seen In A ‘New Light’ This Week?

Lethal Weapon - Damon Wayans, Thomas Lennon
Spoiler Alert

‘Lethal Weapon’: Why Does Leo Getz Love Murtaugh and Riggs So Much?

Lethal Weapon, returning favorites

The Murtaugh-Riggs Bromance Continues in ‘Lethal Weapon’ Season 2

Damon Wayans and Clayne Crawford in 'Lethal Weapon'
Exclusive

‘Lethal Weapon’: Forget the Bad Guys, It’s Really All About Love (VIDEO)

Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans in Lethal Weapon - 'Fashion Police'
Exclusive

‘Lethal Weapon’ Season 2 More Lethal Than the First (PHOTO)

Lethal Weapon - Clayne Crawford and Floriana Lima
Spoiler Alert

‘Lethal Weapon’ Creator Breaks Down That Big Finale and Season 2 Teases

Lethal Weapon - Damon Wayans and Clayne Crawford
Preview

‘Lethal Weapon’ Finale: Will Riggs Finally Avenge His Wife’s Murder?

Lethal Weapon - Clayne Crawford and Hilarie Burton
Exclusive

‘Lethal Weapon’: Will Riggs Crash and Burn in His New Relationship? (VIDEO)

Damon Wayans and Clayne Crawford in the 'Best Buds' episode of 'Lethal Weapon'

Fox Reloads ‘Lethal Weapon’ for a Second Season

Clayne Crawford and Jordana Brewster in Lethal Weapon
Preview

‘Lethal Weapon’: A Stalker Targets…Scene Stealer Jordana Brewster’s Dr. Cahill (VIDEO)

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‘Lethal Weapon’: Riggs Helps Murtaugh Settle the (Bowling) Score

The cast of Lethal Weapon: Clayne Crawford, Damon Wayans Sr., Jordana Brewster, Johnathan Fernandez, Kevin Rahm and Keesha Sharp

‘Lethal Weapon’ Given Full Season Order By Fox

Designated Survivor

Roush Review: Hit Potential in ‘Designated Survivor’, ‘Speechless’ and ‘Lethal Weapon’

Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans in Lethal Weapon

‘Lethal Weapon’: Damon Wayans and Clayne Crawford on Bringing Riggs and Murtaugh to TV

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‘Lethal Weapon’: Go Behind-the-Scenes of Fox’s Reboot