Damon Wayans Jr.
Damon Kyle Wayans Jr. (born November 18, 1982) is an American actor and comedian. He is most widely known for starring 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.
Damon Wayans Jr. | |
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Wayans in 2022 | |
| Born | Damon Kyle Wayans Jr. November 18, 1982[1] Huntington, Vermont, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1994–present |
| Spouse | Samara Saraiva (m. 2016) |
| Children | 6 |
| Parent | Damon Wayans (father) |
| Relatives | Wayans family |
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
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
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
Wayans has two daughters with ex-girlfriend Aja Metoyer.[10] In 2016, Wayans married Samara Saraiva. The couple has two sons and two daughters together.[citation needed]
Filmography
Film
| 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 | ||
| TBA | Players | Adam |
Television
| 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) |
| 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 | Game show based on the video game Frogger |
References
- ^ "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. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
- ^ "Person Details for Damon Kyle Wayans, "Vermont, Vital Records, 1760-2008" — FamilySearch.org". familysearch.org. Retrieved July 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. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
- ^ Hibberd, James (November 6, 2011). "'New Girl' scoop: Damon Wayans Jr. commits to whole season". adweek.com. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ^ . Mstarz. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
- ^ 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.