Damon Kyle Wayans Jr.(born November 18, 1982) is an American actor and comedian. He starred as Brad Williams in theABCsitcomHappy Endings,for which he was nominated for theCritics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Seriesin 2012, and as Coach in theFoxsitcomNew Girl.In 2014, he starred in the comedy filmLet's Be Cops,and provided the voice of Wasabi inBig Hero 6.
Damon Wayans Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Wayans in 2022 | |
| Born | Damon Kyle Wayans Jr. November 18, 1982[1] Huntington, Vermont,U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Spouse |
Samara Saraiva (m.2016) |
| Children | 6 |
| Father | Damon Wayans |
| Relatives | Wayans family |
He is the eldest son of actor and comedianDamon Wayans,and nephew ofKeenen Ivory Wayans,Shawn Wayans,Kim Wayans,andMarlon Wayans.[2]
Early life
editWayans, who is ofAfrican Americanheritage, was born on November 18, 1982, inHuntington, Vermont.[3][4]He is a member of theWayans family,the son of Lisa Thorner and actor and comedianDamon Wayans.He has three younger siblings: Michael, Cara Mia, and Kyla.[5]
Career
editWayans 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 sitcomMy Wife and Kidsas John, one of Junior's friends. He later worked as a staff writer on the series.
He appeared in and served as a writer onThe Underground.Wayans Jr. also surprised audiences when he garnered a standing ovation during his debut appearance onDef Comedy Jam.He starred in theWayans familycomedyDance Flickas the film's main character, Thomas.
From April 2011 to May 2013, Wayans starred as Brad Williams, one of the lead characters in theABCcomedy seriesHappy Endings,alongsideEliza Coupe,Elisha Cuthbert,Zachary Knighton,Adam Pally,andCasey 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 theNAACP Image AwardsandCritic's Choice Television Awardsfor his work onHappy Endings.
On May 16, 2011, theFox Networkannounced that it had picked up theZooey Deschanelanchored comedyNew Girl,which featured Wayans in the supporting role of Coach. However,Happy Endingshad already been picked up for a second season on rival network ABC. The producers ofNew Girlinitially planned to recast Wayans' role, but later decided not to recast nor reshoot thepilot episodein which he appeared.[6]Instead, starting with the second episode, Wayans' character was substituted withLamorne Morris,[7]playing the role of Winston, a former roommate who had been pursuing a professional basketball career in Latvia.
WithHappy Endingscancelled after its third season, it was announced in July 2013 that Wayans would return for at least four episodes ofNew Girlin the upcoming third season.[8]In November 2013, it was announced that Wayans would remain on the show for the rest of season 3.[9]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 entitledHappy Together,alongsideAmber Stevens West.It was cancelled after 13 episodes, due to low ratings.
Personal life
editWayans has two daughters with ex-girlfriend Aja Metoyer.[10]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Blankman | Young Kevin Walker | |
| 2009 | Dance Flick | Thomas Uncles | |
| 2010 | Marmaduke | Thunder | Voice |
| The Other Guys | Detective Fosse | ||
| 2014 | Someone Marry Barry | Desmond | |
| Let's Be Cops | Justin G. Miller | ||
| Big Hero 6 | Wasabi | Voice | |
| 2016 | The Land Before Time XIV: Journey of the Brave | Wild Arms | Voice[11] |
| How to Be Single | David Stone | ||
| 2018 | Super Troopers 2 | Trooper Wagner | |
| 2019 | Trouble | Gizmo | Voice |
| 2020 | Love, Guaranteed | Nick Evans | |
| 2021 | Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar | Darlie Bunkle | |
| Cherry | Drill Sgt. Masters | ||
| Long Weekend | Doug | ||
| The Harder They Fall | Monroe Grimes | ||
| Supercool | Jimmy | ||
| 2024 | Players | Adam | |
| TBA | Kinda Pregnant |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–2004 | My Wife and Kids | John | 8 episodes |
| 2006 | The Underground | Cast member | |
| 2011–2013 | Happy Endings | Brad Williams | Main cast, 3 seasons Nominated –Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated –NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series(2012–2013) Nominated –Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Male Scene Stealer |
| 2011, 2013–2016, 2018 |
New Girl | Coach | Main cast (season 1 "Pilot",season 4) Recurring (season 3) Special guest star (season 5–7) 44 episodes |
| 2012 | Happy Endings: Happy Rides | Brad Williams | 2 episodes |
| NTSF:SD:SUV:: | Garett | Episode: "The Real Bicycle Thief" | |
| 2016 | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Detective Stevie Schillens | Episode: "The 9–8" |
| 2017 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Police Officer | Episode: "A Disturbance in the Kitchen" |
| 2018 | The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair | Sgt. Perry Gahalowood | Main cast |
| 2018–2019 | Happy Together | Jake Davis | Main cast |
| 2019 | Sherman's Showcase | Montell Jordan | Episode: "July 8, 1995" |
| 2019–2020 | Bob's Burgers | Arnold (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2020 | The Twilight Zone | Jason Grant | Episode: "A Small Town" |
| Hoops | Damian Chapman | Voice; Episode: "The Strike" | |
| 2021 | Kenan | Sateen | Episode: "Flipp'd" |
| Frogger | Host | 13 episodes; based on the video gameFrogger | |
| 2023–present | Raid the Cage | Host | 12 episodes; based on theformat of the same name |
| 2024 | Poppa's House | Damon | Main cast Also; Executive Producer |
| 2024 | Shrinking | Derrick #2 | Episode: "Made You Look" |
References
edit- ^"Signal Staff and Wire Services", November 18, 2011.Santa Clarita Valley Signal,"Today in the SCV: Friday, Nov. 18, 2011".Accessed November 29, 2011.
- ^Damon Wayans Biography (1960— ).Filmreference.com. Retrieved on December 30, 2011.
- ^"'Happy Endings': Damon Wayans Jr. Talks Season 3, Negative Cast Rumors ".The Huffington Post.November 19, 2012.RetrievedJuly 20,2015.
- ^"Person Details for Damon Kyle Wayans," Vermont, Vital Records, 1760-2008 "— FamilySearch.org".familysearch.org.RetrievedJuly 20,2015.
- ^"Wayans Believes in Stern Upbringing",contactmusic.com, April 30, 2004.
- ^ABC Renews 'Happy Endings', Fox's 'New Girl' To Recast Damon Wayans Jr. –.Deadline.com. Retrieved on December 30, 2011.
- ^'New Girl': Lamorne Morris Replaces Damon Wayans Jr. in Fox Comedy.Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on December 30, 2011.
- ^"Damon Wayans Jr. Reprising 'New Girl' Role for Season 3 Arc".The Hollywood Reporter.July 15, 2013.RetrievedJuly 20,2015.
- ^Hibberd, James (November 6, 2011)."'New Girl' scoop: Damon Wayans Jr. commits to whole season ".adweek.com.RetrievedNovember 7,2013.
- ^"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.Archived fromthe originalon May 19, 2014.RetrievedJuly 20,2015.
- ^Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (December 17, 2015)."From Universal Pictures Home Entertainment: The Land Before Time: Journey of the Brave".PR Newswire.RetrievedFebruary 1,2016.
External links
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