Damon Wayans Jr.

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Damon Wayans Jr.
Wayans in 2022
Born
Damon Kyle Wayans Jr.

(1982-11-18) November 18, 1982 (age 41)[1]
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1994–present
Spouse
Samara Saraiva
(m. 2016)
Children2
ParentDamon Wayans (father)
RelativesWayans family

Damon Kyle Wayans Jr. (born November 18, 1982) is an American actor and comedian. He starred as Brad Williams in the ABC sitcom Happy Endings, for which he was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2012, and as Coach in the Fox sitcom New Girl. In 2014, he starred in the comedy film Let's Be Cops, and provided the voice of Wasabi in Big Hero 6.

He is the eldest son of actor and comedian Damon Wayans, and nephew of Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Kim Wayans, and Marlon Wayans.[2]

Early life[edit]

Wayans was born on November 18, 1982, in Huntington, Vermont.[3][4] He is a member of the Wayans family, the son of Lisa Thorner and actor and comedian Damon Wayans. He has three younger siblings: Michael, Cara Mia, and Kyla.[5]

Career[edit]

Wayans made his film debut when he was cast in his father's feature film of 1994, 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. In fact, the character of Junior was loosely based on Wayans Jr. himself.[citation needed]

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.[6] Instead, starting with the second episode, Wayans' character was substituted with Lamorne Morris,[7] 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.[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 Jr. would be starring in a sitcom entitled Happy Together, alongside Amber Stevens West. It was cancelled after thirteen episodes, due to low ratings.

Personal life[edit]

Wayans has two daughters with ex-girlfriend Aja Metoyer.[10]

Filmography[edit]

Film[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

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"
2018–2019 Happy Together Jake Davis Main cast
2018 The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair Sgt. Perry Gahalowood Main cast
2019–2020 Bob's Burgers Arnold (voice) 3 episodes
2019 Sherman's Showcase Montell Jordan Episode: "July 8, 1995"
2020 The Twilight Zone Jason Grant Episode: "A Small Town"
Hoops Damian Chapman Voice; Episode: "The Strike"
2021 Kenan Sateen Episode: "Flipp'd"
2021 Frogger Host 13 episodes; based on the video game Frogger
2023–present Raid the Cage Host 12 episodes; based on the format of the same name
2024 Poppa's House Poppa Main cast

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Signal Staff and Wire Services", November 18, 2011. Santa Clarita Valley Signal, "Today in the SCV: Friday, Nov. 18, 2011". Accessed November 29, 2011.
  2. ^ Damon Wayans Biography (1960— ). Filmreference.com. Retrieved on December 30, 2011.
  3. ^ "'Happy Endings': Damon Wayans Jr. Talks Season 3, Negative Cast Rumors". The Huffington Post. November 19, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  4. ^ "Person Details for Damon Kyle Wayans, "Vermont, Vital Records, 1760-2008" — FamilySearch.org". familysearch.org. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  5. ^ "Wayans Believes in Stern Upbringing", contactmusic.com, April 30, 2004.
  6. ^ ABC Renews ‘Happy Endings’, Fox’s ‘New Girl’ To Recast Damon Wayans Jr. –. Deadline.com. Retrieved on December 30, 2011.
  7. ^ 'New Girl': Lamorne Morris Replaces Damon Wayans Jr. in Fox Comedy. Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on December 30, 2011.
  8. ^ "Damon Wayans Jr. Reprising 'New Girl' Role for Season 3 Arc". The Hollywood Reporter. July 15, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  9. ^ Hibberd, James (November 6, 2011). "'New Girl' scoop: Damon Wayans Jr. commits to whole season". adweek.com. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  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. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  11. ^ Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (December 17, 2015). "From Universal Pictures Home Entertainment: The Land Before Time: Journey of the Brave". PR Newswire. Retrieved February 1, 2016.

External links[edit]