History of Damon Wayans in Timeline

Damon Wayans Sr. is a multifaceted American entertainer, renowned as a stand-up comedian, actor, producer, and writer. He gained prominence as a member of the Wayans family, contributing to comedy through the 1980s. His career highlights include a role on *Saturday Night Live* and significant contributions to Fox's *In Living Color*. Wayans further showcased his talent by creating and starring in *Waynehead* and *Damon*. His portfolio also includes roles in films like *Mo' Money*, *The Last Boy Scout*, and *Major Payne*, along with sitcoms such as *My Wife and Kids* and *Poppa's House*. More recently, he starred as Roger Murtaugh in the *Lethal Weapon* television series.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

September 4, 1960: Damon Wayans Born

On September 4, 1960, Damon Kyle Wayans Sr. was born. He is an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, and writer.

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1982: Starts Stand-Up Comedy

In 1982, Damon Wayans started doing stand-up comedy.

1984: Film Debut in Beverly Hills Cop

In 1984, Damon Wayans made his earliest film appearance as a brief cameo as an effeminate hotel employee in the Eddie Murphy film Beverly Hills Cop.

1985: Saturday Night Live Appearance

From 1985 to 1986, Damon Wayans appeared on Saturday Night Live as a featured player.

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1986: Fired from Saturday Night Live

In 1986, Damon Wayans was fired from Saturday Night Live after improvising during a live sketch.

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April 1990: In Living Color Premieres

In April 1990, Damon Wayans, with his brother Keenen, created the Fox sketch comedy series In Living Color, which had a mostly African-American cast and went on the air.

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1990: In Living Color Debut

In 1990, Damon Wayans joined his family on Fox's sketch comedy show In Living Color.

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1992: Leaves In Living Color

In 1992, Damon Wayans left the show In Living Color to pursue a film career.

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May 1994: In Living Color Ends

In Living Color, created by Damon and Keenen Wayans, continued running until May 1994.

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October 1996: Produces Waynehead

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 Airs

In 1997, Damon Wayans continued working on his animated series Waynehead.

March 1998: Stars in Damon

In March 1998, Damon Wayans starred in the short-lived comedy television series Damon, in which he played a detective from Chicago, which aired on Fox.

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: Publishes Bootleg

In 1999, Damon Wayans' The New York Times bestselling book Bootleg, co-authored with David Asbery, was published; it is a humorous compilation of his observations about family.

October 2000: Stars in Bamboozled

In October 2000, Damon Wayans was the lead in Spike Lee's Bamboozled.

2000: Divorce from Lisa Thorner

In 2000, Damon Wayans divorced Lisa Thorner. They have four children together: sons Damon Wayans Jr. and Michael Wayans and daughters Cara Mia Wayans and Kyla Wayans.

March 2001: Stars in My Wife and Kids

From March 2001 to May 2005, Damon Wayans starred in the ABC comedy series My Wife and Kids.

2002: People's Choice Award

In 2002, Damon Wayans won the People's Choice Awards for Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Series for his role in My Wife and Kids, and received four International Press Academy "Golden Satellite Award" nominations.

2004: Co-Creates 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 Ends

Damon Wayans starred in the ABC comedy series My Wife and Kids from March 2001 to May 2005.

June 2006: Hosts BET Awards

In June 2006, Damon Wayans hosted the BET Awards.

2011: Publishes Red Hats

In 2011, Damon Wayans added author of a serious fictional novel to his credits with Red Hats.

Red Hats: A Novel

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January 2013: Diagnosed with Diabetes

In January 2013, Damon Wayans was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

2014: Stand-up 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), which created applications such as Flick Dat, Diddeo and VHedz.