Damien Dante Wayans ( ; born April 15, 1980) is an American actor, screenwriter, producer and director. He is a member of the Wayans family.
Early life Wayans was born in New York City. He is a member of the Wayans family, which includes Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans Sr., Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Marlon Wayans. He is the son of their sibling Elvira Wayans and brother of Chaunté Wayans. Damon Wayans Jr. and Craig Wayans are his cousins.
Career Wayans began his career in 1987 in Eddie Murphy's standup comedy film Eddie Murphy Raw. He acted with his uncle Damon Wayans in Major Payne. He then went on to writing and directing. His big break in acting was in Jamie Kennedy's film Malibu's Most Wanted, in which he played Tec, Shondra's (Regina Hall) ex-boyfriend. Wayans has written and directed several episodes of his uncle Damon's sitcom My Wife and Kids.
In 2006, he appeared in the direct-to-DVD comedy film Man About Town. That same year, Wayans and his cousin Craig Wayans wrote and produced their uncle Damon's The Underground, a sketch comedy show on Showtime. Wayans also directed a few segments.
He made his directorial debut with the 2009 film Dance Flick, which he also co-wrote alongside Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Craig Wayans. He formed a film and TV production company called Second Generation Productions, a reference to the second generation of Wayans in the entertainment industry. He plans to create, develop and produce multiplatform content.
In 2012, he appeared in George Watsky's WatchLoud web series Watsky's Making An Album. The following year, Wayans and his cousin Craig Wayans created, wrote, and starred in the BET comedy drama Second Generation Wayans. He joined the cast of Single Ladies in 2014 in a recurring role as David Berenger.
In 2017, he appeared as a guest on the VH1 game show Hip Hop Squares. He also appeared in the MTV in comedy game show SafeWord. In 2025, he directed an episode of the CBS sitcom Poppa's House.
Personal life In 2015, Wayans began leasing his house in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of California.
Filmography Film Short film Year Title Director Writer Producer 2004 The Last Meal 2023 Stand Up
Feature film Year Title Director Writer Producer 2009 Dance Flick
Acting roles Year Title Role Notes 1987 Eddie Murphy Raw Child Running in House (Sketch) 1995 Major Payne Cadet Dwight "D." Williams 1996 Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood Cousin with Bag 1999Passing GlorySnow LurcherTV movie2000Freedom SongBo Drew 2003 Malibu's Most Wanted Tec 2005 Edison Isaiah Charles 2006 Man About Town Lucky Reynolds Little Man Officer Wilson 2012 Internet Icon Multiple Roles (Guest Actor for contestants) 2023 Stand Up Deondre Short film 2024 A Hip Hop Story Donny
Television Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes 2002–2005 My Wife and Kids Director: 19 episodes, writer: 35 episodes, producer: 26 episodes 2006 The Underground Director: 2 episodes, writer, producer: 10 episodes2013Second Generation WayansAlso creator 2025 Poppa's House Episode: "Say Wha?!"
Acting roles Year Title Role Notes 1991 In Living Color Himself Uncredited 1996 New York Undercover Tulane Episode: "Toy Soldiers" 1997 413 Hope St. Greg Barnes Episodes: "Pilot", "Heartbeat"1999 The Norm Show Shawn Episode: "Norm vs. the Boxer"2000 NYPD Blue Trey Episode: "Brothers Under Arms" 2006 House M.D. Haller Episode: "Que Será Será"2012Let's Stay TogetherDanielEpisode: "Let's Do It Again" 2013 Second Generation Wayans Damien Dante Wayans Main role2014Single LadiesDavid BerengerRecurring roleMind of a ManHimselfPanelist2017Hip Hop SquaresSafeword
Web series Year Title Role Notes2012Internet IconHimselfGuest actorWatsky's Making an AlbumRicky Slim Jr.
Accolades Award Year Category Nominated work Result BET Comedy Awards2005Outstanding Directing for a Comedy SeriesMy Wife and KidsOutstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
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