Damon Wayans, Sr.

Iconoclastic Damon Wayans is known for his no-holds-barred comedic genius, celebrating his success in the industry as an actor, director, producer and standup comic. Just recently announced are plans for Wayans to return to ABC, co-creating and top lining a new family sitcom for the network, which he will also write, executive produce and direct. The edgy sitcom will star Damon as a recent widower who has to take in the 19-year-old stepson he never knew. Damon also recently returned to his stand-up comedy roots, shooting a one-hour comedy special which is scheduled to premiere on Comedy Central this February 24th.

Currently in syndication, Damon starred in five seasons of the hit ABC series "My Wife and Kids," the series which he co-created, executive produced and often directed. "My Wife and Kids" received numerous awards, including the 2002 People's Choice for Favorite New Television Comedy Series, and Favorite Male Performer in a New Television Series for Wayans's portrayal as patriarch Michael Kyle. In 2006, Damon also served as the creator, director, executive producer and star of "The Underground", a half-hour sketch comedy series for Showtime.

Wayans is most fondly remembered for his three seasons as writer and co-star on the Emmy Award-winning series "In Living Color". There, he made characters like "Homey the Clown," "Handiman" and "Men on Film" household names. His writing for the series earned him two personal Emmy nominations. Additional television credits include the Fox sitcom Damon, the drama 413 Hope Street, and Waynehead, a Saturday morning animated cartoon for the WB.

On the big screen, Wayans recently directed brother Marlon Wayans as well as himself in the independent drama Behind the Smile. Other feature film credits include starring roles in Spike Lee's critically acclaimed film Bamboozled, Harlem Aria, Blankman, The Last Boy Scout, Earth Girls are Easy, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, and Hollywood Shuffle.

Wayans is also a talented author. In 1999, he penned "Bootleg," a humorous compilation of his observations on family, children, marriage and politics. The book was a tremendous success and quickly hit the New York Times Bestseller List.