Shawn Wayans
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Shawn Mathis Wayans (/ˈweɪ.ənz/ WAY-ənz; born January 19, 1971) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He made his debut on the comedy television series In Living Color (1990–1993). He went on to work with his brother Marlon Wayans on The WB sitcom The Wayans Bros.(1995–1999) and the comedy films Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996), Scary Movie (2000), Scary Movie 2 (2001), White Chicks (2004), Little Man (2006), and Dance Flick (2009).
After an extended hiatus from acting, it was announced in February 2025 that Wayans will star in the upcoming films Scary Movie (2026) and White Chicks 2 (TBA).
Early life and education
Wayans, the ninth of ten siblings, was born in New York City, 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.
Filmography
| † | Denotes productions that have not yet been released |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | I'm Gonna Git You Sucka | Pedestrian | |
| 1996 | Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood | Ashtray | Also co-writer |
| 1999 | New Blood | Valentine | |
| 2000 | Scary Movie | Ray Wilkins | Also co-writer |
| 2001 | Scary Movie 2 | ||
| 2004 | White Chicks | Kevin Copeland | Also co-writer and producer |
| 2006 | Little Man | Darryl Edwards | |
| 2009 | Dance Flick | Baby Daddy | |
| 2026 | Scary Movie † | Ray Wilkins |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990–1993 | In Living Color | Himself | Main cast; 67 episodes (season 2–5) |
| 1991 | MacGyver | Robo | Episode: "The 'Hood" |
| 1993 | Hangin' with Mr. Cooper | Dominique | Episode: "PMS: Post Moving in Syndrome" |
| 1995–1999 | The Wayans Bros. | Shawn Williams | 101 episodes; also co-creator |
| 1996 | The Parent 'Hood | Himself | Episode: "Ode to Billy Shankbreath" |
| 1996–1997 | Waynehead | Toof | Voice; 13 episodes |
| 1999 | Hollywood Squares | Himself | Recurring panelist |
| Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | Bad Bobby | Voice; episode: "The Bremen Town Musicians" | |
| 2000 | Comedy Central Canned Ham | Himself | Episode: "Scary Movie" |
| 2000 MTV Video Music Awards | Main host | ||
| 2001 | Mad TV | Episode: "Episode #6.25" | |
| 2006 | The Boo Crew | Slim | Voice; television special |
| 2016 | Animals | Tommy | Voice; episode: "Squirrels Part I" |
Documentary
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime | |
| 2001 | Open Mic | |
| 2009 | Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy |