When you talk about the world of comedy, it's impossible to not also talk about the Wayans siblings. Together, this family of 10 has revolutionized the world of entertainment as we know it, both in front of and behind the cameras.
Marlon Wayans knows just how talented his family is and once told Nick Cannon on Power 106 FM how grateful he feels to be surrounded by and learn from such incredible artists.
"Think how lucky I am to grow up in my house with my legends," he gushed. "I grew up in a house with legends, so I can't help but follow in their footsteps and yet blaze my own."
While Marlon is sentimental about his family, he also isn't afraid to reveal some hilarious sibling intel to the press.
"Shawn used to always beat me up because he was older than me," Marlon once told the Hartford Courant. "I'm just a year-and-a-half younger than him but he beat me up. He's senseless. Keenen is so old that he once spanked me. And then there is Damon. He was always needy and he still is needy."
He also added: "But there is some truth in there. But I wouldn't trade what I went through growing up for anything. I wouldn't be where I am without it."
Marlon is one of 10 Wayans siblings that grew up in New York City with their mother, Elvira, a homemaker and social worker, and their father, Howell, a supermarket manager. Scroll down to learn more about the Wayans siblings and some of the ways they've collaborated over the years to build their collective comedic empire:
The Wayans Brothers from Youngest to Oldest:
Marlon Wayans, 49
Marlon is best known for his countless roles in movies and TV shows. In 2004 he starred alongside his brother Shawn in White Chicks after first making it big with him on the WB sitcom The Wayans Bros. In recent years, Marlon has continued his comedic streak, appearing in films like Naked, Fifty Shades of Black, Sextuplets, On the Rocks, and most recently Respect, the biographical musical drama based on Aretha Franklin's career.
Shawn Wayans, 50
Like his slightly younger brother Marlon, Shawn has made a big name for himself in Hollywood and the greater comedy world. His film credits include Scary Movie, Scary Movie 2, Dance Flick and Little Man.
Damon Wayans, 60
Damon is also a comedian and actor. After his stint on Saturday Night Live, he worked on Fox's comedy sketch show In Living Color in the early 1990s. Ever since, he has continued to rack up prominent TV roles both in front of and behind the cameras. Folks might recognize him for his work in Beverly Hills Cop and the sitcom My Wife and Kids.
Keenen Ivory Wayans, 63
The second oldest of the Wayans siblings is a well-known comedian and actor. But Keenen is also a director and writer and has worked on several projects behind the scenes with his siblings. In the late 1990s, he even had his own talk program called The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show. Per his IMDB, his latest writing credit is on the TV series The Last OG. He has been described as the "trail-blazing linchpin of a sprawling family dynasty of comic entertainers."
Dwayne Wayans, 65
The eldest of all of the Wayans siblings is a film score composer. Unlike some of his other siblings, Dwayne seems to enjoy more behind-the-scenes roles, writing music for film soundtracks like Dance Flick and Little Man. He also has production assistant credits for the TV series In Living Color and My Wife and Kids, both projects that his siblings worked on.
The Wayans Sisters:
Apart from the famous Wayans brothers, there are also the Wayans sisters in this talented family — Kim, 60, Elvira, 57, Vonnie, 55, Nadia, 56, and Diedre, 62. Like their brothers, many of the Wayans sisters enjoy careers in the entertainment business. Kim is an actress who appeared in the comedy show In Living Color, while Nadia appeared in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. Meanwhile, Diedre and Elvira are prominent screenwriters.
You can enjoy some of the best-known work of the Wayans family below:
