Damon Wayans

Damon Kyle Wayans Sr. (born September 4, 1960) is an American actor, comedian, producer, and writer. He's best know for his role as Michael Kyle on the sitcom My Wife and Kids as well as his comedic work on In Living Color. He performed as a comedian and actor throughout the 1980s, including a year long stint on the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. His true breakthrough, however, came as writer and performer on FOX's sketch comedy show In Living Color (1990-1992), on his animated series Waynehead (1996-1997), and on his TV series Damon (1998). Since then, he has starred in a number of films and television shows, some of which he has co-produced or co-written, including Beverly Hills Cop, The Last Boy Scout, and Major Payne and the sitcom My Wife and Kids. From 2016 to 2019, he starred as Roger Murtaugh in the television series Lethal Weapon. He is a member of the Wayans family of entertainers.

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Bamboozled (2000)

TV producer Pierre Delacroix becomes frustrated when network brass reject his sitcom idea. Hoping to get fired, Delacroix pitches the worst idea he can think of: a 21st century minstrel show. The network not only airs it, but it becomes a smash hit.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Spike Lee
CAST:  Damon Wayans  •  Savion Glover  •  Tommy Davidson  •  Jada Pinkett Smith

TV producer Pierre Delacroix becomes frustrated when network brass reject his sitcom idea. Hoping to get fired, Delacroix pitches the worst idea he can think of: a 21st century minstrel show. The network not only airs it, but it becomes a smash hit.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Spike Lee
CAST:  Damon Wayans  •  Savion Glover  •  Tommy Davidson  •  Jada Pinkett Smith

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Action-packedEnjoyableFunnyClassic

A freewheeling Detroit cop pursuing a murder investigation finds himself dealing with the very different culture of Beverly Hills.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Martin Brest
CAST:  Eddie Murphy  •  Judge Reinhold  •  John Ashton  •  Lisa Eilbacher

A freewheeling Detroit cop pursuing a murder investigation finds himself dealing with the very different culture of Beverly Hills.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Martin Brest
CAST:  Eddie Murphy  •  Judge Reinhold  •  John Ashton  •  Lisa Eilbacher

Blankman (1994)

Darryl is a childlike man with a genius for inventing various gadgets out of junk. When he stumbles on a method to make his clothes bulletproof, he decides to use his skills to be the lowest budgeted superhero of all.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mike Binder
CAST:  Damon Wayans  •  David Alan Grier  •  Robin Givens  •  Christopher Lawford

Darryl is a childlike man with a genius for inventing various gadgets out of junk. When he stumbles on a method to make his clothes bulletproof, he decides to use his skills to be the lowest budgeted superhero of all.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mike Binder
CAST:  Damon Wayans  •  David Alan Grier  •  Robin Givens  •  Christopher Lawford

Bulletproof (1996)

An undercover police officer named Rock Keats befriends a drug dealer and car thief named Archie Moses in a bid to catch the villainous drug lord Frank Coltan. But the only problem is that Keats is a cop, his real name is Jack Carter, and he is working undercover ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ernest R. Dickerson
CAST:  Adam Sandler  •  James Caan  •  Jeep Swenson  •  Damon Wayans

An undercover police officer named Rock Keats befriends a drug dealer and car thief named Archie Moses in a bid to catch the villainous drug lord Frank Coltan. But the only problem is that Keats is a cop, his real name is Jack Carter, and he is working undercover ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ernest R. Dickerson
CAST:  Adam Sandler  •  James Caan  •  Jeep Swenson  •  Damon Wayans

Celtic Pride (1996)

Two over-loyal Celtic fans kidnap their opponent's star player in order to guarantee their team the championship.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tom DeCerchio
CAST:  Damon Wayans  •  Daniel Stern  •  Christopher McDonald  •  Gail O'Grady

Two over-loyal Celtic fans kidnap their opponent's star player in order to guarantee their team the championship.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tom DeCerchio
CAST:  Damon Wayans  •  Daniel Stern  •  Christopher McDonald  •  Gail O'Grady

Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)

In this musical comedy, Valerie is dealing with her philandering fiancé, Ted, when she finds that a trio of aliens have crashed their spaceship into her swimming pool. Once the furry beings are shaved at her girlfriend's salon, the women discover three handsome men ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Julien Temple
CAST:  Geena Davis  •  Michael McKean  •  Jeff Goldblum  •  Damon Wayans

In this musical comedy, Valerie is dealing with her philandering fiancé, Ted, when she finds that a trio of aliens have crashed their spaceship into her swimming pool. Once the furry beings are shaved at her girlfriend's salon, the women discover three handsome men ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Julien Temple
CAST:  Geena Davis  •  Michael McKean  •  Jeff Goldblum  •  Damon Wayans

Farce of the Penguins (2007)

In this spoof of "March of the Penguins," nature footage of penguins near the South Pole gets a soundtrack of human voices. Carl and Jimmy, best friends, walk 70 miles to the mating grounds where the female penguins wait. The huddled masses of females - especially ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bob Saget
CAST:  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Christina Applegate  •  Alyson Hannigan  •  Jason Alexander

In this spoof of "March of the Penguins," nature footage of penguins near the South Pole gets a soundtrack of human voices. Carl and Jimmy, best friends, walk 70 miles to the mating grounds where the female penguins wait. The huddled masses of females - especially ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bob Saget
CAST:  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Christina Applegate  •  Alyson Hannigan  •  Jason Alexander

I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988)

FunnyMindlessFunGoofy

Jack Spade returns from the army in his old ghetto neighbourhood when his brother, June Bug, dies. Jack declares war on Mr. Big, powerful local crimelord. His army is led by John Slade, his childhood idol who used to fight bad guys in the 70s.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Keenen Ivory Wayans
CAST:  Keenen Ivory Wayans  •  Bernie Casey  •  Isaac Hayes  •  Ja'net DuBois

Jack Spade returns from the army in his old ghetto neighbourhood when his brother, June Bug, dies. Jack declares war on Mr. Big, powerful local crimelord. His army is led by John Slade, his childhood idol who used to fight bad guys in the 70s.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Keenen Ivory Wayans
CAST:  Keenen Ivory Wayans  •  Bernie Casey  •  Isaac Hayes  •  Ja'net DuBois

Last Action Hero (1993)

Following the death of his father, young Danny Madigan takes comfort in watching action movies featuring the indestructible Los Angeles cop Jack Slater. After being given a magic ticket by theater manager Nick, Danny is sucked into the screen and bonds with Slater. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John McTiernan
CAST:  Arnold Schwarzenegger  •  Austin O'Brien  •  Charles Dance  •  F. Murray Abraham

Following the death of his father, young Danny Madigan takes comfort in watching action movies featuring the indestructible Los Angeles cop Jack Slater. After being given a magic ticket by theater manager Nick, Danny is sucked into the screen and bonds with Slater. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John McTiernan
CAST:  Arnold Schwarzenegger  •  Austin O'Brien  •  Charles Dance  •  F. Murray Abraham

Major Payne (1995)

Major Benson Winifred Payne is being discharged from the Marines. Payne is a killin' machine, but the wars of the world are no longer fought on the battlefield. A career Marine, he has no idea what to do as a civilian, so his commander finds him a job - commanding ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nick Castle
CAST:  Ross Bickell  •  Joseph Blaire  •  Damon Wayans  •  Orlando Brown

Major Benson Winifred Payne is being discharged from the Marines. Payne is a killin' machine, but the wars of the world are no longer fought on the battlefield. A career Marine, he has no idea what to do as a civilian, so his commander finds him a job - commanding ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nick Castle
CAST:  Ross Bickell  •  Joseph Blaire  •  Damon Wayans  •  Orlando Brown

Mo' Money (1992)

Trying to get his act together, a con artist gets a job in a credit card company. He falls in love with a fellow employee, he steals a couple of cards, everything is going great. But soon, the chief of security drags him into the big leagues of criminals...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter MacDonald
CAST:  Damon Wayans  •  Stacey Dash  •  Joe Santos  •  John Diehl

Trying to get his act together, a con artist gets a job in a credit card company. He falls in love with a fellow employee, he steals a couple of cards, everything is going great. But soon, the chief of security drags him into the big leagues of criminals...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter MacDonald
CAST:  Damon Wayans  •  Stacey Dash  •  Joe Santos  •  John Diehl

Punchline (1988)

Lilah Krytsick is a mother and housewife who's always believed she could be a stand-up comedian. Steven Gold is an experienced stand-up seemingly on the cusp of success. When the two meet, they form an unlikely friendship, and Steven tries to help the untried Lilah ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Seltzer
CAST:  Sally Field  •  Tom Hanks  •  John Goodman  •  Mark Rydell

Lilah Krytsick is a mother and housewife who's always believed she could be a stand-up comedian. Steven Gold is an experienced stand-up seemingly on the cusp of success. When the two meet, they form an unlikely friendship, and Steven tries to help the untried Lilah ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Seltzer
CAST:  Sally Field  •  Tom Hanks  •  John Goodman  •  Mark Rydell

Roxanne (1987)

CleverFunnyCharmingRomantic

Based on the play 'Cyrano de Bergerac', large-nosed C.D. Bales falls for the beautiful Roxanne—while she falls for his personality but another man's looks.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Fred Schepisi
CAST:  Steve Martin  •  Daryl Hannah  •  Rick Rossovich  •  Shelley Duvall

Based on the play 'Cyrano de Bergerac', large-nosed C.D. Bales falls for the beautiful Roxanne—while she falls for his personality but another man's looks.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Fred Schepisi
CAST:  Steve Martin  •  Daryl Hannah  •  Rick Rossovich  •  Shelley Duvall

The Great White Hype (1996)

When the champ's promoter, Rev. Sultan, decides something new is needed to boost the marketability of the boxing matches, he searches and finds the only man to ever beat the champ. The problem is that he isn't a boxer anymore and he's white. However, once Rev. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Reginald Hudlin
CAST:  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Jeff Goldblum  •  Peter Berg  •  Corbin Bernsen

When the champ's promoter, Rev. Sultan, decides something new is needed to boost the marketability of the boxing matches, he searches and finds the only man to ever beat the champ. The problem is that he isn't a boxer anymore and he's white. However, once Rev. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Reginald Hudlin
CAST:  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Jeff Goldblum  •  Peter Berg  •  Corbin Bernsen

The Last Boy Scout (1991)

When the girl that detective Joe Hallenback is protecting gets murdered, the boyfriend of the murdered girl attempts to investigate and solve the case. What they discover is that there is deep seated corruption going on between a crooked politician and the owner of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tony Scott
CAST:  Bruce Willis  •  Damon Wayans  •  Chelsea Field  •  Noble Willingham

When the girl that detective Joe Hallenback is protecting gets murdered, the boyfriend of the murdered girl attempts to investigate and solve the case. What they discover is that there is deep seated corruption going on between a crooked politician and the owner of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tony Scott
CAST:  Bruce Willis  •  Damon Wayans  •  Chelsea Field  •  Noble Willingham

Look Who's Talking Too (1990)

Mollie and James are together and raising a family, which now consists of an older Mikey and his baby sister, Julie. Tension between the siblings arises, and as well with Mollie and James when Mollie's brother Stuart moves in. Mikey is also learning how to use the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Amy Heckerling
CAST:  John Travolta  •  Kirstie Alley  •  Bruce Willis  •  Gilbert Gottfried

Mollie and James are together and raising a family, which now consists of an older Mikey and his baby sister, Julie. Tension between the siblings arises, and as well with Mollie and James when Mollie's brother Stuart moves in. Mikey is also learning how to use the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Amy Heckerling
CAST:  John Travolta  •  Kirstie Alley  •  Bruce Willis  •  Gilbert Gottfried

Colors (1988)

IntenseViolentAction-packedDramatic

A confident young cop is shown the ropes by a veteran partner in the dangerous gang-controlled barrios of Los Angeles, where the gang culture is enforced by the colors the members wear.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dennis Hopper
CAST:  Sean Penn  •  Robert Duvall  •  María Conchita Alonso  •  Randy Brooks

A confident young cop is shown the ropes by a veteran partner in the dangerous gang-controlled barrios of Los Angeles, where the gang culture is enforced by the colors the members wear.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dennis Hopper
CAST:  Sean Penn  •  Robert Duvall  •  María Conchita Alonso  •  Randy Brooks

Hollywood Shuffle (1987)

Aspiring actor and hot-dog stand employee Bobby Taylor catches the ire of his grandmother for auditioning for a role in the regrettably titled exploitation film "Jivetime Jimmy's Revenge." When Tinseltown Studios casts Taylor in the title role, he has a series of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Townsend
CAST:  Robert Townsend  •  Craigus R. Johnson  •  Helen Martin  •  Starletta DuPois

Aspiring actor and hot-dog stand employee Bobby Taylor catches the ire of his grandmother for auditioning for a role in the regrettably titled exploitation film "Jivetime Jimmy's Revenge." When Tinseltown Studios casts Taylor in the title role, he has a series of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Townsend
CAST:  Robert Townsend  •  Craigus R. Johnson  •  Helen Martin  •  Starletta DuPois

Harlem Aria (1999)

An aspiring opera singer from Harlem teams up with a charismatic busker and a kindhearted hustler to share his voice with the world, and teaches his two newfound friends the importance of taking your destiny into your own hands. Anton (Gabriel Casseus) lives in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  William Jennings
CAST:  Damon Wayans  •  Gabriel Casseus  •  Christian Camargo  •  Malik Yoba

An aspiring opera singer from Harlem teams up with a charismatic busker and a kindhearted hustler to share his voice with the world, and teaches his two newfound friends the importance of taking your destiny into your own hands. Anton (Gabriel Casseus) lives in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  William Jennings
CAST:  Damon Wayans  •  Gabriel Casseus  •  Christian Camargo  •  Malik Yoba

Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic (2013)

Mike Epps, Richard Pryor Jr. and others recount the culture-defining influence of Richard Pryor - one of America's most brilliant, iconic comic minds.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Marina Zenovich
CAST:  Whoopi Goldberg  •  Richard Pryor  •  Robin Williams  •  Dave Chappelle

Mike Epps, Richard Pryor Jr. and others recount the culture-defining influence of Richard Pryor - one of America's most brilliant, iconic comic minds.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Marina Zenovich
CAST:  Whoopi Goldberg  •  Richard Pryor  •  Robin Williams  •  Dave Chappelle
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