Damon Kyle Wayans Jr. ( ; born November 18, 1982) is an American actor and comedian. He starred as Brad Williams in the ABC sitcom Happy Endings (2011–2013), for which he was nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award in 2012, and as Coach in the Fox sitcom New Girl (2011, 2014–2015). He also provided the voice of Wasabi in the Disney animated film Big Hero 6 (2014). Since 2023, Wayans has hosted the game show Raid the Cage on CBS.
He is the oldest son of actor and comedian Damon Wayans, and nephew of Dwayne Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans.
Early life Wayans was born on November 18, 1982, in Huntington, Vermont, to Lisa Thorner and actor and comedian Damon Wayans of the Wayans family. He has three younger siblings: Michael, Cara Mia, and Kyla.
Career
1994–2010: Early credits Wayans made his film debut in 1994 when he was cast in his father's feature film, Blankman, playing Young Kevin. He later appeared on his father's sitcom My Wife and Kids as John, one of Junior's friends. He later worked as a staff writer on the series.
Wayans began performing stand-up under the pseudonym Kyle Green, in an attempt to establish an identity separate from his family. In 2006, he appeared in and served as a writer on The Underground under his real name. Wayans also surprised audiences when he garnered a standing ovation during his debut appearance on Def Comedy Jam. He starred in the Wayans family comedy Dance Flick as the film's main character, Thomas. In 2010, he appeared in the Adam McKay comedy film The Other Guys.
2011–2016: Happy Endings and New Girl
From April 2011 to May 2013, Wayans starred as Brad Williams, one of the lead characters in the ABC comedy series Happy Endings, for which he was nominated for a Critics Choice Television Award and two NAACP Image Awards. Despite critical acclaim and a cult following, the show was cancelled by ABC after concluding its third season.
On May 16, 2011, the Fox Network announced that it had picked up the Zooey Deschanel-anchored comedy New Girl, which featured Wayans in the supporting role of Coach. However, Happy Endings had already been picked up for a second season on rival network ABC. The producers of New Girl initially planned to recast Wayans' role, but later decided not to recast nor reshoot the pilot episode in which he appeared. Instead, starting with the second episode, Wayans' character was substituted with Lamorne Morris, playing the role of Winston.
With Happy Endings cancelled after its third season, it was announced in July 2013 that Wayans would return for at least four episodes of New Girl in the upcoming third season. In November 2013, it was announced that Wayans would remain on the show for the rest of season 3. In May 2014, it was announced Wayans would return as a series regular for season four.
In 2014, he voiced Wasabi in the Disney animated film Big Hero 6, for which he was nominated for Outstanding Voice Performance at the Black Reel Awards. He also appeared in the romantic comedy film Someone Marry Barry and starred in the film Let's Be Cops alongside New Girl co-star Jake Johnson. Since 2016-present: Two Shakes Entertainment and other projects In early 2018, he made a cameo in the comedy film Super Troopers 2, and later starred in the Epix murder thriller series The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair. In October of that year, it was announced that Wayans would star in the CBS sitcom Happy Together. The series was canceled after 13 episodes due to low ratings. In November, he launched a production company titled Two Shakes Entertainment. Its first show, the comedy drama Glamorous, was initially ordered by The CW before premiering on Netflix in 2023. In 2019, he guest-starred on the IFC sketch comedy show Sherman's Showcase.
In 2020, he starred in the Netflix romantic comedy film Love, Guaranteed. He also appeared in the CBS anthology series The Twilight Zone, as well as the Netflix animated series Hoops. In 2021, Wayans appeared in five films: the comedy Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, the Apple TV+ crime drama Cherry, the romcom Long Weekend, the Netflix Western The Harder They Fall, and the comedy Supercool. He began hosting the Peacock game show Frogger, based on the video game of the same name. He also appeared in the NBC sitcom Kenan that same year.
Wayans began hosting the NBC game show Raid the Cage in 2023, based on the Israeli television series of the same name. In 2024, he starred alongside his father Damon Wayans on the CBS sitcom Poppa's House, loosely inspired by their real-life relationship. Despite winning an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance, the series was canceled after its first season. The same year, he appeared in the Apple TV+ show Shrinking as Derrick #2. He was nominated for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy Series at the Black Reel TV Awards for his performance. He also starred in the Netflix romcom Players, and appeared in the Netflix comedy film Kinda Pregnant in 2025.
Wayans will appear in the upcoming horror parody film, Scary Movie, the sixth installment in the Scary Movie franchise. He is set to appear in the CBS comedy Overstepping, which was first announced in November 2024. In February 2026, it was announced that he would lead the NBC drama pilot Puzzled based on the Danielle Trussoni novel The Puzzle Master.
Personal life Wayans has six children. He has two daughters with high school ex-girlfriend Aja Metoyer. He has four children with his wife Samara Saraiva: two daughters and two sons. They also have one granddaughter named Itali, from daughter Berlyn Wayans and her high school ex-boyfriend, Mike Price.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1994 Blankman Young Kevin Walker 2001 Scary Movie 2 Police Officer (Uncredited; Alternate Ending) 2009 Dance Flick Thomas Uncles 2010 Marmaduke Thunder Voice The Other Guys Detective Fosse 2014 Someone Marry Barry Desmond Let's Be Cops Justin G. Miller Big Hero 6 Wasabi Voice2016 The Land Before Time XIV: Journey of the Brave Wild Arms Voice How to Be Single David Stone 2018 Super Troopers 2 Trooper Wagner 2019 Trouble Gizmo Voice 2020 Love, Guaranteed Nick Evans 2021 Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar Darlie Bunkle Cherry Drill Sgt. Masters Long Weekend Doug The Harder They Fall Monroe Grimes Supercool Jimmy 2024 Players Adam 2025 Kinda Pregnant Dave 2026 Scary Movie Agent Underwood
Television Year Title Role Notes 2001–2004 My Wife and Kids John 8 episodes; also story editor 2006 The Underground Cast member 2011–2013 Happy Endings Brad Williams Main cast, 3 seasonsNominated – Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesNominated – NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series (2012–2013)Nominated – Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Male Scene Stealer 2011,2013–2016,2018 New Girl Coach Main cast (season 1 "Pilot", season 4)Recurring (season 3)Special guest star (season 5–7)2012 Happy Endings: Happy Rides Brad Williams 2 episodes NTSF:SD:SUV:: Garett Episode: "The Real Bicycle Thief" 2016 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Detective Stevie Schillens Episode: "The 9–8" 2017 Curb Your Enthusiasm Police Officer Episode: "A Disturbance in the Kitchen" 2018 The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair Sgt. Perry Gahalowood Main cast 2018–2019 Happy Together Jake Davis Main cast 2019 Sherman's Showcase Montell Jordan Episode: "July 8, 1995" 2019–2025 Bob's Burgers Arnold 6 episodes2020 The Twilight Zone Jason Grant Episode: "A Small Town" Hoops Damian Chapman Episode: "The Strike"2021 Kenan Sateen Episode: "Flipp'd" Frogger Host 13 episodes; based on the video game Frogger2023GlamorousExecutive producer 2023–present Raid the Cage Host Also executive producer 2024–2025 Poppa's House Damon Main cast; also executive producer 2024 Shrinking Derrick #2 RecurringOversteppingExecutive producerPuzzledMike Brink
Awards and nominations Award Year Category Nominated work Result Black Reel Awards2015Outstanding Voice PerformanceBig Hero 6Black Reel TV Awards2025Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy SeriesShrinkingCritics Choice Television Awards2012Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesHappy EndingsNAACP Image Awards2012Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series2013Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series2025Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesPoppa's HouseNickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards2025Favorite Male TV Star (Family)Teen Choice Awards2012Choice TV: Male Scene StealerHappy Endings
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