Shawn Wayans | |
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Wayans in 2004
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Born |
Shawn Mathis Wayans January 19, 1971 New York City, New York, U.S. |
Occupation | Actor, producer, writer, comedian |
Years active | 1988–present |
Notable work |
In Living Color The Wayans Bros. |
Children | 3 |
Family | See Wayans Family |
Shawn Mathis Wayans (born January 19, 1971) is an American actor, DJ, producer, writer and comedian who starred in In Living Color, The Wayans Bros., and White Chicks. He is the brother of Keenen Ivory, Damon Sr., Marlon, Kim, Elvira, and Nadia Wayans.
Wayans, is the ninth child of ten siblings, born in New York City, New York, the son of Elvira Alethia (Green), a homemaker and social worker, and Howell Stouten Wayans, a supermarket manager. His family were once Jehovah's Witnesses. Wayans grew up in the Fulton Houses in the Manhattan neighborhood of Chelsea and is a 1989 graduate of the Bayard Rustin High School for the Humanities.
On Fox's In Living Color, he began as DJ SW-1 and later became a featured performer, working with brothers Dwayne, Keenen (the show's creator), Damon, Marlon and sister Kim. Along with Marlon, Shawn Wayans created and starred in the sitcom The Wayans Bros. (The WB, 1995–99) and co-wrote, co-executive produced and starred in the feature Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996), in which Keenen also acted. Wayans guest-starred on episodes of MacGyver and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and provided the voice of Toof for the animated children's series Waynehead (based on brother Damon's real-life childhood experiences).