Career Timeline of Damon Wayans: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Damon Wayans built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Damon Wayans is an accomplished American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, and writer, hailing from the prominent Wayans family of entertainers. His career began in the 1980s, including a brief role on Saturday Night Live. He gained significant recognition as a writer and performer on Fox's sketch comedy show In Living Color. Subsequently, Wayans created and starred in his own shows like Waynehead and Damon. He has starred in and co-produced/co-written various films and sitcoms such as Mo' Money, The Last Boy Scout, Major Payne, Bulletproof, My Wife and Kids and Poppa's House, the latter featuring his son Damon Wayans Jr. Most recently, he played Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon television series from 2016 to 2019.
1982: Stand-up Comedy Start
In 1982, Damon Wayans started doing stand-up comedy.
1984: Film Appearance
In 1984, Damon Wayans made his earliest film appearance with a brief cameo in the Eddie Murphy film Beverly Hills Cop.
1985: Saturday Night Live
From 1985 to 1986, Damon Wayans appeared on Saturday Night Live as a featured player.
1986: Fired from Saturday Night Live
In 1986, Damon Wayans was fired from Saturday Night Live after improvising during a live sketch.
April 1990: In Living Color Airs
In April 1990, In Living Color, created by Damon Wayans and his brother Keenen, went on the air.
1990: In Living Color
In 1990, Damon Wayans joined his family on Fox's sketch comedy show In Living Color.
1992: In Living Color Departure
In 1992, Damon Wayans left Fox's sketch comedy show In Living Color.
1992: Leaves In Living Color
In 1992, Damon Wayans left In Living Color to pursue a film career.
May 1994: In Living Color Ends
In Living Color, created by Damon Wayans and his brother Keenen, continued running until May 1994.
October 1996: Waynehead Produced
In October 1996, Damon Wayans produced Waynehead, a short-lived cartoon for The WB.
1996: Waynehead Animated Series
In 1996, Damon Wayans wrote and performed on his own animated series Waynehead.
1997: Executive Producer of 413 Hope St.
From 1997 to 1998, Damon Wayans was the executive producer of 413 Hope St., a short-lived drama on the FOX network.
1997: Waynehead series
In 1997, Damon Wayans wrote and performed on his own animated series Waynehead.
March 1998: Starred in Damon
In March 1998, Damon Wayans starred in the short-lived comedy television series Damon.
1998: Executive Producer of 413 Hope St.
From 1997 to 1998, Damon Wayans was the executive producer of 413 Hope St., a short-lived drama on the FOX network.
1998: Damon Live-Action Series
In 1998, Damon Wayans wrote and performed on his own live-action series Damon.
1999: Bootleg Published
In 1999, Damon Wayans's The New York Times bestselling book Bootleg, with co author David Asbery was published.
October 2000: Lead Role in Bamboozled
In October 2000, Damon Wayans played the lead role in Spike Lee's Bamboozled.
March 2001: Starring in My Wife and Kids
From March 2001 to May 2005, Damon Wayans starred in the ABC comedy series My Wife and Kids.
2004: Co-creator of Rodney
From 2004–2006, Damon Wayans was a co-creator of the short lived ABC sitcom Rodney starring Rodney Carrington and Jennifer Aspen.
May 2005: My Wife and Kids
From March 2001 to May 2005, Damon Wayans starred in the ABC comedy series My Wife and Kids.
June 2006: Hosts BET Awards
In June 2006, Damon Wayans hosted the BET Awards.
2011: Author of Red Hats
In 2011, Damon Wayans authored a serious fictional novel, Red Hats.
2014: Stand-up Comedy and App Development
As of 2014, Damon Wayans continues to perform stand-up comedy and has developed apps with his company of freelancers "MIMS" (Money in My Sleep).
November 12, 2015: Retirement Announcement
On November 12, 2015, Damon Wayans announced his retirement from stand up commencing December 2015.
December 2015: Retirement from Stand Up
In December 2015, Damon Wayans commenced his retirement from stand up comedy.
September 2016: Cast in Lethal Weapon
In September 2016, Damon Wayans was cast as Roger Murtaugh in the television version of Lethal Weapon.
2016: Cast in Lethal Weapon
In 2016, Damon Wayans starred as Roger Murtaugh in the Fox television series Lethal Weapon.
October 3, 2018: Wayans to Leave Lethal Weapon
On October 3, 2018, it was reported that Damon Wayans would leave Lethal Weapon after filming of the first thirteen episodes of Season 3 wrapped.
February 2019: Lethal Weapon Ends
In February 2019, Lethal Weapon officially ended after three seasons with Damon Wayans as Roger Murtaugh.
2019: Lethal Weapon Ended
In 2019, Damon Wayans starred as Roger Murtaugh in the Fox television series Lethal Weapon, which officially ended in February 2019.
2024: Poppa's House Sitcom
In the fall of 2024, Damon Wayans returned to scripted television with his son Damon Jr. on the CBS sitcom Poppa's House.
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