Kim Wayans
Kim N. Wayans (born October 16, 1961) is an American actress, comedian, producer, writer and director. Wayans is the sister of Keenen Ivory, Damon Sr., Marlon, Shawn and Nadia Wayans. She is best known for her numerous roles on the Fox sketch comedy show In Living Color (1990–94), and Tonia Harris on In the House (1995–98). Wayans is also best known as the noted family matriarch of The Wayans Family.
Kim Wayans | |
|---|---|
 Kim Wayans in 2012 | |
| Born | Kim N. Wayans October 16, 1961 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Education | Wesleyan University |
| Occupation | Actress, comedian, producer, writer, director |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouse(s) | Kevin Knotts |
| Relatives | See Wayans family |
Early life
Wayans was born in New York City, the daughter of Elvira Alethia (Green), a homemaker and social worker, and Howell Stouten Wayans, a supermarket manager.[1][2][3] Her family was involved in the Jehovah's Witnesses religion.[4][5] She and her family lived in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
Career
In film she appeared in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka and Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (both directed by her brother Keenen), and had a starring role in the art film Talking About Sex and later co starred in Juwanna Mann as Latisha Jansen. She starred with her siblings on the Fox variety show In Living Color and A Low Down Dirty Shame.
Her other television work includes regular appearances on the sitcom In the House with LL Cool J and a recurring role on A Different World. Recently, she has worked as a story editor on her brother Damon's sitcom My Wife and Kids. In 2008, she co wrote a series of children's books with her husband Kevin Knotts, entitled Amy Hodgepodge, about a multiracial girl adjusting to life in public school after years of homeschooling.
In December 2011, she got a chance to showcase her dramatic chops with a supporting role as a mother who struggles to understand her seventeen-year-old daughter in Pariah. She was nominated (alongside co star Pernell Walker) for Best Supporting Actress at the 2012 Black Reel Awards but lost to Octavia Spencer for The Help.
In Living Color
Characters
- Benita Butrell
- Cousin Elsee
- Laquita (I Love Laquita)
- Lil' Magic
- Mrs. Brooks
- Reesie (Cephus & Reesie)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Cathy | Charlene Andrews |
| 1987–1988 | A Different World (television series) | Allison Guisewite |
| 1989 | Cathy's Last Resort | Charlene Andrews |
| I'm Gonna Git You Sucka | Nightclub Singer | |
| 1990 | Dream On | Nicki |
| 1990–1993 | In Living Color (television series) | Various |
| 1991 | Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime | Various |
| 1994 | Talking About Sex | Andie Norman |
| Floundering | Unemployment | |
| A Low Down Dirty Shame | Diane | |
| 1995–1998 | In the House (television series) | Tonia Riley Harris |
| The Wayans Bros. (television series) | Cousin Shelia | |
| 1996 | Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood | Mrs. Johnson |
| 1996–1997 | Waynehead (television series) | Mom (voice) |
| 1997 | Critics and Other Freaks | Bettina |
| 1998 | Getting Personal (television series) | Rhonda |
| 2002 | Juwanna Mann | Latisha Jansen |
| 2006 | Thugaboo: Sneaker Madness (television) | Momma/Joyce (voice) |
| Thugaboo: A Miracle on D-Roc's Street (television) | Momma (voice) | |
| 2007 | What News? (television) | Pearl "Lightning" Davis |
| 2009 | Dance Flick | Ms. Dontwannabebothered |
| 2011 | Pariah | Audrey |
| 2012 | Criminal Minds (television) | Darlene Beckett |
| 2013 | Reckless | Vi |
| 2014 | New Girl (television) | Susan |
| 2016 | The Breaks (television) | |
| 2020 | Boomerang (television) |
