Keenen Ivory Wayans Biography

Fast Facts

• A longtime vegetarian, he often advocates for the animal rights group, PETA
• Attended the Tuskegee Institute before dropping out his senior year to become a full-time comedian
• A member of the well-known Wayans family that have several members in show business including Keenen's siblings Marlon, Damon, Kim and Shawn among others
• The second oldest of 10 siblings, he was raised in the projects of New York City before attending college in Alabama
• Quote: "(Speaking of his comedic idol, Richard Pryor) "Pryor started it all․ He made the blueprint for the progressive thinking of black comedians, unlocking that irreverent style․""
• Quote: "Nothing was sacred in our house; everything was a joke․ You could get the whooping of your life, and everybody would be at the dinner table two minutes later making imitations of the noises you made while you were getting it․"
• After trying standup back in New York, he would move to Los Angeles in the late '70s before teaming up with Eddie Murphy who would help him break into show business
• Penned the groundbreaking sketch-comedy series "In Living Color" for FOX in 1990 that would help him and his brothers gain critical acclaim both in Hollywood and the African American community
• After transitioning to roles behind the camera, he would pitch the "Scary Movie" franchise with brothers Shawn and Marlon in 2000 which would go on to become one of the most successful film franchises helmed by an African American director