Keenen Ivory Wayans
Biography
Keenen Ivory Wayans is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He was born on June 8, 1958, in New York City, New York, USA. Wayans is a member of the Wayans family of entertainers. He first came to prominence as the host and creator of the Fox sketch comedy series In Living Color. Wayans has produced, directed or written several films, starting with Hollywood Shuffle in 1987. His films often include him and one or more of his siblings in the cast. He directed the 2000 film Scary Movie, which was the highest-grossing movie directed by an African American until it was surpassed.
Career overview
Keenen Ivory Wayans is an American actor and comedian. He first came to prominence as the host and creator of the Fox sketch comedy series In Living Color from 1990 to 1994. Wayans has appeared in numerous films, often alongside one or more of his siblings. His acting credits include a wide range of projects, totaling 43 known credits.
Wayans' career in film began with the 1987 release of Hollywood Shuffle, which he co-wrote. He went on to direct the 2000 film Scary Movie, which was the highest-grossing movie directed by an African American at the time of its release. This achievement stood until 2005, when it was surpassed by Tim Story's Fantastic Four. Wayans' work in film often features his involvement in projects with his siblings, reflecting his membership in the Wayans family of entertainers.
As an actor, Wayans has demonstrated his versatility in a variety of roles across multiple films. His career in the entertainment industry spans several decades, with a notable presence in television and film.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Scary Movie (2026) Writer
- Scary Movie (2026) Producer
- This Is Stand-Up (2020) as Self
- Before They Were Kings: Vol. 2 (2019)
- Dying Laughing (2017) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self - Guest
- Finding Your Roots (2012) as Self
- Inside Comedy (2012) as Self
- FOX 25th Anniversary Special (2012) as Self
- Eddie Murphy: One Night Only (2012) as Self
- Dance Flick (2009) as Mr. Stache
- Dance Flick (2009) Writer
- Dance Flick (2009) Producer
- Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009) as Self
- The Black List: Volume One (2008) as Self
- Little Man (2006) Director
- Little Man (2006) Screenplay
- Little Man (2006) Producer
- Thugaboo: Sneaker Madness (2006) Writer
- Thugaboo: Sneaker Madness (2006) Creator
- White Chicks (2004) Director
- White Chicks (2004) Screenplay
- White Chicks (2004) Producer
- White Chicks (2004) Story
- Scary Movie 2 (2001) Director
- My Wife and Kids (2001) as Ken Kyle
- Scary Movie (2000) as Slave
- Scary Movie (2000) Director
- Scary Movie (2000) Producer
- The Chris Rock Show (1997) as Self
- Most Wanted (1997) as Gunnery Sergeant James Dunn
- Most Wanted (1997) Writer
- Most Wanted (1997) Executive Producer
- Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) as Mailman
- Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) Producer
- The Glimmer Man (1996) as Jim Campbell
- A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994) as Shame
- A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994) Director
- A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994) Writer
- The Real Malcolm X (1992)
- The Five Heartbeats (1991) Writer
- In Living Color (1990) as Self - Various Characters
- In Living Color (1990) Executive Producer
- In Living Color (1990) Creator
- Hammer, Slammer, & Slade (1990) Writer
- I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) as Jack Spade
- I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) Director
- I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) Writer
- A Different World (1987) as Professor Lawrence
- Eddie Murphy Raw (1987) Producer
- Eddie Murphy Raw (1987) Co-Writer
- Hollywood Shuffle (1987) as Donald
- Hollywood Shuffle (1987) Writer
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 (1987)
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 (1987) Writer
- The Joe Piscopo Halloween Party (1987) as Ray the Boxer
- Star 80 (1983) as Comic
- For Love and Honor (1983) as Pvt. Duke Johnson
- For Love and Honor (1983) as Pvt. Duke Johnson
- Cheers (1982) as Customer #1
- Highway Honeys (1982) as Tattoo Calhoune
- Hill Street Blues (1981)
- CHiPs (1977) as Roberts
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- White Chicks 2 Writer
- Don't Be a Menace sequel Writer