Damon Wayans

Wayans in 2017, photo by DFree/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Damon Kyle Wayans

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 4, 1960

Ethnicity: African-American

Damon Wayans is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer. He is known for his work in the television series In Living Color and My Wife and Kids, and the films Major Payne and Bamboozled.

Damon is the son of Elvira Alethia (Green) and Howell Stouten Wayans. He is one of ten siblings, including entertainers Dwayne Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Marlon Wayans, all of whom he has collaborated with. He has four children, including actor and comedian Damon Wayans, Jr.

Damon’s paternal grandfather was Paul Otto Wayans (the son of Stouton Wayans and Della Johnson). Paul was born in Connecticut. Stouton was the son of Peter Waynes/Wayans.

Damon’s paternal grandmother was Lillian Victoria Howell (the daughter of Isaiah Howell and Ethel J. Grant). Lillian was born in Florida. Isaiah was the son of Moses Howell and Anna Smith.

Damon’s maternal grandfather was Ivory Garrett Green (the son of Edward Powell Green and Mary Magdalene Brock). Ivory was born in South Carolina. Edward was the son of James Green and Dorcas Nelson. Mary Magdalene was the daughter of Marion Brock, who was born into slavery, and of Catherine Rhame.

Damon’s maternal grandmother was Elvira Brown (the daughter of Hooper Robert Brown and Emma J. Pleasant). Elvira was born in South Carolina. Hooper was the son of Alex Brown and Elvira. Emma was the daughter of Abraham Pleasant and Polly Coad.

A DNA test of Damon’s brother Keenen on the show Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (2016) indicated that Keenen has genetic ancestry from the Malagasy people, of Madagascar.

Sources: Genealogy of Damon Wayans (through Damon’s brother, Keenen Ivory Wayans) – http://www.pbs.org

Genealogy of Damon Wayans – http://www.geni.com

Damon’s maternal great-grandmother, Mary Magdalene Brock, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org