American comedian, writer, and actor
Factsheet
(1960-09-04) September 4, 1960 (age 65)
New York City, U.S.
(m. 1984; div. 2000)
(1960-09-04) September 4, 1960 (age 65)
New York City, U.S.
(m. 1984; div. 2000)
Videos
Damon Wayans Jr. is one of the best comedic actors working right now
Whats with Damon Wayans right now?
Why do you think Damon Wayans couldn't break out in the same way Eddie Murphy did? Both were SNL alumni's and top tier stand up comics and both got their breakthrough in popular buddy cop movies.
Damon Wayans Jr. on Not Wanting To Be the Guy To Mess Up ‘Shrinking’: “It’s Like When Ed Sheeran Came On ‘Game of Thrones’”
I feel like his achievements fly under the radar a bit because of his family, but he's seriously, seriously funny in almost every role he takes on.
Although I never saw Let's Be Cops, I've watched both Happy Endings and New Girl all the way through (the latter multiple times), and it's hard to be a standout on either of those shows with such a stacked cast on both sides. His timing, his voices, the way he uses his body, it's just all so on point with exactly what you want out of a great comedic actor.
One thing I notice a lot, especially in New Girl, is when it's an over-the-shoulder close-up shot of one of his reads, the opposing actor is barely keeping it together almost every time. Some memorable lines include "ew why did you say moist I hate that word", and "you're a little dumb dumb, and I'm a big smart smart", just to name two.
I have to imagine that literally growing up on the set of the Wayans Bros probably built in a lot of skills that he didn't even know he was picking up at the time, but these days I'm glad to see him getting so many roles that use those strengths so well.
Besides Damon, who are some of the comedic actors that you think are the best working today?