Net Worth Ranker
What Is Damon Wayans’ Net Worth?
Damon Wayans, an accomplished American stand-up comedian, writer, and actor, has amassed a considerable net worth estimated at $35 million. This financial success is primarily attributed to his prolific career in television and film, starting with his breakthrough role on the sketch comedy series “In Living Color” in the early 1990s.
Damon Wayans’ Early Career and Rise to Fame
Born on September 4, 1960, in New York City, Damon Wayans is one of ten children. His father, Howell Stouten Wayans, worked as a supermarket manager, while his mother, Elvira Alethia (née Green), was a social worker. Growing up in a large family, Wayans’ early life provided a rich backdrop for his later comedic work. While specific details about his childhood home or schooling are not readily available, it’s known that several of his siblings also found success in the entertainment industry, forming the renowned Wayans Family.
Wayans began his journey in stand-up comedy in 1982, honing his skills in various comedy clubs. His first foray into film was a brief, uncredited appearance in the 1984 Eddie Murphy blockbuster, “Beverly Hills Cop.” From 1985 to 1986, he joined the cast of “Saturday Night Live” as a featured player. However, his tenure was short-lived, lasting only eleven episodes. Wayans has stated that he intentionally sought to be fired due to a perceived lack of creative control and limited screen time. During the 1980s, he also made appearances on the syndicated television series “Solid Gold,” further expanding his exposure to the entertainment industry.
A pivotal moment in Wayans’ career arrived with the creation of “In Living Color” alongside his brother Keenen. The sketch comedy series, known for its predominantly African-American cast and edgy humor, premiered on Fox in April 1990. While the show aired until 1994, Damon Wayans departed in 1992 after two successful years. This decision was driven by his ambition to pursue a film career.
Film Career and Television Ventures
Following his departure from “In Living Color,” Damon Wayans starred in a string of films throughout the 1990s. Notable titles include “The Last Boy Scout” (1991), which grossed over $59 million worldwide, “Mo’ Money” (1992), which earned over $40 million, “Major Payne” (1995), which had a box office of over $30 million, “Celtic Pride” (1996), “Bulletproof” (1996), and “The Great White Hype” (1996). In 1994, he wrote and starred in “Blankman,” further showcasing his creative talents.
In October 1996, Wayans ventured into animation with “Waynehead,” a short-lived cartoon series for The WB. Loosely based on his own childhood, the show centered on a young boy with a club foot. Despite its personal connection to Wayans, “Waynehead” suffered from low ratings and was canceled after only one season. From 1997 to 1998, he served as the executive producer of “413 Hope St.” on Fox. This drama series, starring Richard Roundtree and Jesse L. Martin, also faced a premature end. Wayans continued to experiment with different television formats, including the comedy series “Damon,” which aired for thirteen episodes in 1998.
The year 2000 saw Wayans join an ensemble cast in Spike Lee’s film “Bamboozled,” a satirical commentary on the entertainment industry. This was followed by a starring role in the ABC comedy series “My Wife and Kids,” which ran from March 2001 to May 2005. “My Wife and Kids” proved to be a significant success, earning Wayans four International Press Academy “Golden Satellite Award” nominations. In 2002, he was also recognized with a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Male, highlighting his popularity with audiences. For his role in My Wife and Kids, Wayans reportedly earned $70,000 per episode.
In 2006, Wayans produced and starred in “The Underground,” a sketch comedy series for Showtime that featured his son, Damon Wayans Jr. He also hosted the BET Awards that year. While specific financial details of these projects are not publicly available, they contributed to his overall income and net worth. Damon Wayans announced his retirement from stand-up comedy in December 2015. In September 2016, he took on the lead role of Roger Murtaugh in the “Lethal Weapon” television series, which aired for three seasons, adding to his earnings and net worth. It was reported that for Lethal Weapon, Wayans was making $125,000 per episode.
Literary Works and Other Ventures
Beyond his acting and comedy, Damon Wayans has also explored writing. He co-authored “Bootleg” with David Asbery, a compilation of humorous observations about family life. The book achieved bestseller status on The New York Times list, further enhancing his profile and net worth. In 2011, he published “Red Hats,” a fictional novel exploring themes of friendship and happiness among older women. While sales figures for “Red Hats” are not readily available, the book contributed to his reputation as a versatile artist.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Damon Wayans was married to Lisa Thorner from 1984 to 2000. Together, they have four children: Damon Wayans Jr., Michael Wayans, Cara Mia Wayans, and Kyla Wayans. Damon Wayans Jr. has followed in his father’s footsteps and achieved success as an actor, notably in the television series “Happy Endings” and “New Girl.” Wayans maintains close friendships with NBA legend Michael Jordan and fellow “In Living Color” star Jim Carrey.
In January 2013, Wayans was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, a health challenge he has publicly addressed. In 2005, Damon Wayans invested $3 million in an ocean-view condo located in Santa Monica, California, which can be considered a part of his net worth. He listed this property for rent in 2018 at a monthly rate of $20,000. Further diversifying his real estate portfolio, he acquired a home in LA’s Hancock Park neighborhood in 2017 for $5.35 million. Prior to this, he sold a residence in LA’s Toluca Lake neighborhood for $4.4 million in 2007, reflecting his active engagement in the real estate market. These real estate transactions and holdings contribute to Damon Wayans’ overall net worth.
