Biography
Wayans was born in New York City, son of Howell Wayans, a supermarket manager, and his wife Elvira, a homemaker and social worker. His dad was a devout Jehovah's Witness. Wayans attended Tuskegee University, where he became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity through the Gamma Phi chapter. However, he dropped out in his final year to become a comedian.
In 1990, Wayans and his brother Damon created, wrote and starred in In Living Color, an American sketch comedy television series that originally ran on the Fox Network from 1990 to 1994. The show was notable for producing comedy with a strong emphasis on modern black culture. The show also starred Jim Carrey, Kelly Coffield, Kim Coles, Jamie Foxx, brothers Damon Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans, sister Kim Wayans, David Alan Grier, Tommy Davidson and featured Rosie Perez, Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Ann Inaba and Laurie Ann Gibson.
Wayans is one of several family members who have become famous in Hollywood, including his siblings Damon, Kim, Nadia, Shawn and Marlon. He is an uncle of Craig Wayans, Damon Wayans, Jr., Michael Wayans, Cara Mia Wayans, Kyla Wayans, Damien Dante Wayans and Chaunté Wayans.
Read more about this topic: Keenen Ivory Wayans
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