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Damon Wayans

Damon Wayans

Actor, producer and writer · Born September 4, 1960 (66) · Harlem, New York, USA

Damon Kyle Wayans Sr. (born September 4, 1960) is an American actor, comedian, producer, and writer. He's best know for his role as Michael Kyle on the sitcom My Wife and Kids as well as his comedic work on In Living Color. He performed as a comedian and actor throughout the 1980s, including a year long stint on the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. His true breakthrough, however, came as writer and performer on FOX's sketch comedy show In Living Color (1990-1992), on his animated series Waynehead (1996-1997), and on his TV series Damon (1998). Since then, he has starred in a number of films and television shows, some of which he has co-produced or co-written, including Beverly Hills Cop, The Last Boy Scout, and Major Payne and the sitcom My Wife and Kids. From 2016 to 2019, he starred as Roger Murtaugh in the television series Lethal Weapon. He is a member of the Wayans family of entertainers.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 4, 1960 (66)
From
Harlem, New York, USA
Works as
Actor, producer and writer
Titles
28 on MovieCove · 43 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 3% in 30 days

What are Damon Wayans' films like?

Across their 20 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
40%
Self
28%
Morality
12%
Society
7%
Power
7%
Survival
3%
Ideas
3%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 5 · Wry 3 · Earnest 8

Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 12 · Serious 2 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 8 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 7 · Charged 7 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 10 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 1

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 11

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 11 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

11 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 8 of 11 analyzed roles.

Hero
8 of 11
Trickster
1 of 11
Ally
1 of 11
Shapeshifter
1 of 11
Show the 11 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
15
Joyful
9
Absurd
9
Thrilling
6
Tense
5
Other
10

How their films linger

Feel-good13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2
  • Cyclical2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Damon Wayans' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 28 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Damon Wayans' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

43 credits, 28 with a MovieCove page; 22 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Poppa's House(2024)

    Show 18 episodes · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer · as Damon 'Poppa' Fulton

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all shows

  • Cinnamon(2023)

    as Wally

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Live in Front of a Studio Audience: 'The Facts of Life' and 'Diff'rent Strokes'(2021)

    as Willis Drummond

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Happy Together(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Mike

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Lethal Weapon(2016)

    Show 55 episodes · as Roger Murtaugh

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Happy Endings(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Francis Wililams

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Farce of the Penguins(2006)

    as Hey, That's My Ass! Penguin (voice)

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • The Underground (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 10 episodes · Director · Creator · Producer · Writer · Actor

  • Behind the Smile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Charlie Richman

  • Rodney(2004)

    Show Creator

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Marci X(2003)

    as Dr. S

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Primetime Glick (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • My Wife and Kids(2000)

    Show 123 episodes · Director · Creator · Producer · Writer · as Michael Kyle

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Bamboozled(2000)

    as Pierre Delacroix

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Goosed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Dr. Steven Hamel

  • Harlem Aria (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Wes

  • Damon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 13 episodes · Creator · as Det. Damon Thomas

  • 413 Hope St. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 10 episodes · Creator · Producer

  • Damon Wayans: Still Standing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Writer · as Self

  • Waynehead(1996)

    Show 13 episodes · Creator · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Bulletproof(1996)

    as Rock Keats / Jack Carter

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Great White Hype(1996)

    as James "The Grim Reaper" Roper

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Celtic Pride(1996)

    as Lewis Scott

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Major Payne(1995)

    Executive Producer · Screenplay · as Maj. Benson Payne

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Blankman(1994)

    Executive Producer · Screenplay · Story · as Darryl Walker

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Mo' Money(1992)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Johnny Stewart

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • HBO First Look (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Last Boy Scout(1991)

    as James Alexander 'Jimmy' Dix

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Damon Wayans: The Last Stand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Writer · as Self

  • Look Who's Talking Too(1990)

    as Eddie (voice)

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • In Living Color (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 69 episodes · Creator · as Self - Various Characters

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • I'm Gonna Git You Sucka(1988)

    as Leonard

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Punchline(1988)

    as Percy

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Earth Girls Are Easy(1988)

    as Zeebo

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Colors(1988)

    as T-Bone

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • A Different World(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Marvin Haven

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

  • Roxanne(1987)

    as Jerry

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Hollywood Shuffle(1987)

    as Body Guard #2 / Willie

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Triplecross (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Ornery Character #1

  • Beverly Hills Cop(1984)

    as Banana Man

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 43 titles from 1984 to 2024; peak year 1995.

Biggest box office

The Last Boy Scout (1991)

$60M worldwide

Highest rated

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: 'The Facts of Life' and 'Diff'rent Strokes' (2021)

Midcredits 90th

Most popular right now

Lethal Weapon (2016)

Film career

19842024

Peak 1995 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 11 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting37 of 43: 29 only acting, 8 with another role · typical Midcredits score54thDirecting3 of 43: 0 only directing, 3 with another roleWriting9 of 43: 2 only writing, 7 with another role · typical Midcredits score29thProducing9 of 43: 0 only producing, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score28thOther crew8 of 43: 2 only other crew, 6 with another role

43 titles, 10 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 7 of them.

By decade

1980s12 · acting1990s17 · 12 acting · 9 crew2000s8 · 7 acting · 4 crew2010s3 · acting2020s3 · 3 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 33% of 18 roles
8489

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Damon Wayans' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 46th percentile, the median of all 20; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 37th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

28thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

87thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 28 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 28 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

Farce of the Penguins (2006)

83rd percentile spread · 52% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Midcredits 92nd · 82% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 39. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Damon Wayans' work okay for kids?

Across up to 9 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles14–82 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity9 titles33–54 · median 45 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity9 titles35–94 · median 56 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles14–67 · median 29 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense6 titles17–66 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Damon Wayans work with?

People who share at least 2 of Damon Wayans' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Eric L. Gold shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Editors

Producers

Mixed roles