Damien Dante Wayans

A member of the extended Wayans family, Damien Wayans was born in New York City and is the nephew of the well-known Wayans brothers-Keenen Ivory, Damon, Marlon, and Shawn. (His mother is their sister Elvira.) While still in elementary school, Damien appeared briefly in a sketch in the popular 1987 concert film "Eddie Murphy Raw." Damien's first significant role was in the '95 comedy "Major Payne," starring his uncle Damon, and he also appeared in the gang spoof "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood," featuring uncles Shawn and Marlon. Aside from supporting roles in 2003's "Malibu's Most Wanted" and the little-seen thriller "Edison," Damien has focused largely on writing and directing in subsequent years. In addition to penning and helming various episodes of the Damon Wayans sitcom "My Wife and Kids," Damien also wrote and directed the successful, if critically panned, 2009 parody "Dance Flick."