Damon Wayans Jr. Bio
Damon Kyle Wayans Jr. (born November 18, 1982) is an American actor and comedian. He is widely recognized for his starring role as Brad Williams in the ABC sitcom Happy Endings (2011–2013) and as Coach in the Fox sitcom New Girl (2014–2015). He is also known for voicing Wasabi in the Disney animated film Big Hero 6 (2014). Over the course of his career, he has built a reputation as a comedic performer across television, film, and animation.
The eldest son of actor and comedian Damon Wayans, he is a member of the well-known Wayans family. He has spent more than two decades working in the entertainment industry, beginning with a childhood film appearance in 1994. In recent years, he has expanded his career into producing and hosting game shows.
Early Life and Background
Damon Kyle Wayans Jr. was born on November 18, 1982, in Huntington, Vermont, United States. He is the son of actor and comedian Damon Wayans and Lisa Thorner. As the oldest son in a prominent entertainment family, he grew up around the craft of comedy and performance from a very young age.
He has three younger siblings named Michael, Cara Mia, and Kyla. His extended family includes several well-known entertainers, including Keenen Ivory Wayans, Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Marlon Wayans. Growing up within the Wayans family gave him direct exposure to film and television production throughout his childhood.
His early interest in entertainment was shaped by the careers of his father and other family members. This environment provided him with firsthand insight into the entertainment business before he ever stepped in front of a camera professionally.
Path to Acting
Wayans made his film debut in 1994 when he was cast in his father’s feature film, Blankman, in which he played the character Young Kevin. As a child, he appeared on his father’s sitcom My Wife and Kids as John, one of Junior’s friends, and later worked as a staff writer on the series. These early experiences gave him his first on-set training in both acting and storytelling.
Eager to build an identity separate from his famous family, Wayans began performing stand-up comedy under the pseudonym Kyle Green. In 2006, he appeared in and served as a writer on The Underground under his real name. He also surprised audiences when he received a standing ovation during his debut appearance on Def Comedy Jam.
He went on to star in the Wayans family comedy Dance Flick (2009) as the film’s main character, Thomas, and appeared in the Adam McKay comedy film The Other Guys in 2010. These roles helped him transition from supporting appearances to leading comedic performances in feature films.
Damon Wayans Jr. Career
Early Career (1994–2010)
Wayans’ earliest professional work included a childhood role in Blankman (1994), where he played Young Kevin. This debut marked the beginning of his long association with film and television, particularly in the comedy genre. He later contributed as both an actor and a staff writer on his father’s sitcom My Wife and Kids.
As he matured, he expanded into stand-up comedy and independent film projects, taking roles in Dance Flick (2009) and The Other Guys (2010). These projects established his comedic voice and prepared him for the leading television roles that would soon define his career.
Breakthrough (2011–2016)
From April 2011 to May 2013, Wayans starred as Brad Williams, one of the lead characters in the ABC comedy series Happy Endings. His performance earned him a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination in 2012 and two NAACP Image Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Although Happy Endings developed a cult following and critical acclaim, ABC cancelled the show after its third season.
Wayans simultaneously joined the cast of New Girl on Fox, appearing in the pilot as Coach, a supporting role. When Happy Endings was renewed, the producers of New Girl initially planned to recast his part, but later chose to keep Lamorne Morris in the role. After Happy Endings ended, Wayans returned to New Girl as a regular cast member starting in 2013.
In 2014, he voiced Wasabi in the Disney animated film Big Hero 6, earning a nomination for Outstanding Voice Performance at the Black Reel Awards. He also appeared in the romantic comedy Someone Marry Barry and co-starred with Jake Johnson in the comedy Let’s Be Cops.
Notable Works and Milestones
Wayans’ signature works include the sitcoms Happy Endings and New Girl, the animated film Big Hero 6, and the comedy Dance Flick. His performance in Poppa’s House (2024) earned him an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, representing a major career milestone.
Damon Wayans Jr. Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Damon Wayans Jr. has earned recognition from major entertainment organizations for his television and voice work. In 2012, he received a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in Happy Endings. He was also nominated for NAACP Image Awards in the same category for his performance in the series.
Additional nominations include a Black Reel Award nomination for Outstanding Voice Performance for Big Hero 6 (2014), and a Black Reel TV Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy Series for his role in the Apple TV+ series Shrinking (2024). These nominations reflect his range across comedy, voice acting, and guest performances.
Damon Wayans Jr. Awards Won
Damon Wayans Jr. has been recognized with an NAACP Image Award during his career. In 2024, he won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in the CBS sitcom Poppa’s House. This award marked a significant achievement, as he starred alongside his father, Damon Wayans, in the series.
Damon Wayans Jr. Family
Damon Wayans Jr. is the eldest son of actor and comedian Damon Wayans and Lisa Thorner. He has three younger siblings: Michael, Cara Mia, and Kyla. He is a member of the broader Wayans family, with relatives including Keenen Ivory Wayans, Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Marlon Wayans.
His position in this well-known entertainment family shaped his early exposure to acting, writing, and comedy. He continues to collaborate with family members, most notably starring with his father in the CBS sitcom Poppa’s House in 2024.
Personal Life
Damon Wayans Jr. married Samara Saraiva in 2016. The couple has four children together: two daughters and two sons. He also has two daughters from a previous relationship with high school ex-girlfriend Aja Metoyer. He has a granddaughter named Itali, from his daughter Berlyn Wayans and her high school ex-boyfriend, Mike Price.
Wayans launched a production company titled Two Shakes Entertainment in November 2018. Its first show, the comedy-drama Glamorous, was initially ordered by The CW before premiering on Netflix in 2023. He balances his professional projects with his family life, while continuing to build his presence in television and film.