Marlon Lamont Wayans is an accomplished American actor, comedian, film producer, and screenwriter best known for appearing in sitcoms like “The Wayans Bros.” and “Marlon” as well as movies like “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” “Scary Movie,” and “A Haunted House.” Marlon began his career in film with a tiny part in the movie “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka,” coming from the Wayans family of entertainers, which also includes a number of filmmakers, screenwriters, comedians, and actors. He has worked on various projects with his brother Shawn Wayans throughout the years, including the comedies “White Chicks,” “Scary Movie,” and “Scary Movie 2.” Additionally, he has collaborated as a writer, producer, and starred in well-known movies like “A Haunted House,” “A Haunted House 2,” and “Fifty Shades of Black.” He has appeared in major movies like “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” and “Requiem for a Dream” in addition to the typical comedy. Along with Randy Adams, he launched the digital media company “What the Funny” for urban comedy. Together with Christopher Moynihan, he developed the sitcom “Marlon,” which NBC broadcast for two seasons in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Early Childhood & Life
The youngest of the Howell Stouten Wayans and Elvira Alethia (Green) family’s ten children, he was born on July 23, 1972, in New York City, New York, in the United States. He had a devoted Jehovah’s Witness father.
Dwayne, Keenen Ivory, Damon, Kim, Elvira, Nadia, Diedre, Vonnie, and Shawn are his nine siblings; they are all involved in the entertainment business. He was raised in New York City’s housing projects and went to Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music, Art, and Performing Arts. Marlon attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., after finishing high school.
Career of Marlon Wayans
As a youngster, he made his acting debut as a pedestrian in the 1988 American action-comedy-parody movie “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka,” which also starred his brother Keenen Ivory Wayans. Keenen made his directorial debut in it, along with his siblings Damon, Kim, Nadia, and Shawn.
In the American sketch comedy television series “In Living Color,” which was developed, produced, and starred in by his brother Keenen, Marlon had a recurring part. His siblings Damon, Kim, and Shawn also had regular roles in the Fox original from April 15, 1990, to May 19, 1994, and Dwayne frequently appeared as an extra. Marlon first came to public attention when the series received widespread acclaim and accolades, including the 1990 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series.
The American crime-comedy film “Mo’ Money,” which was released on July 24, 1992, gave Marlon his first leading role as conman Seymour Stewart after he appeared in the TV series “The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime” in 1991. In it, his brother Damon performed the main role and contributed by writing. The movie made over $40 million in North America after debuting at the top of the US box office.
In the Tim Burton-directed 1992 American superhero movie “Batman Returns,” Marlon was first considered for the part of Robin, but the part was ultimately passed over. It was intended to be in the 1995 follow-up film “Batman Forever,” and Marlon had officially signed on for it. However, Chris O’Donnell was cast in Marlon’s place after Tim Burton was replaced as director midway through production by Joel Schumacher. Nevertheless, Marlon continues to collect some royalties now.
Marlon and his brother Shawn starred in the American sitcom “The Wayans Bros.,” which The WB aired from January 11, 1995, to May 20, 1999. Artists like John Witherspoon and Anna Maria Horsford were also featured in the series.
The American crime-comedy-parody movie “Don’t Be a Menace,” which was released on January 12, 1996, was written and starred in by Marlon and Shawn. Their brother Keenen, a producer, created it. Although it debuted at #2 at the box office and went on to gross over $20 million, the movie received unfavorable reviews from critics.
Moving on to further films and television roles, Marlon challenged himself to step outside of his comfort zone of typical comedies by taking on the character of Tyrone C. Love in the critically acclaimed American psychological drama film “Requiem for a Dream,” which showcased his acting talent and range. On May 14, 2000, the movie had its world debut at the Cannes Film Festival. Prior to its October 27, 2000, US theatrical debut, the film had its world premiere on September 13, 2000, at the Toronto International Film Festival.
After he played Shorty Meeks in the American horror-comedy movie “Scary Movie,” which was released on July 7, 2000, and its follow-up, “Scary Movie 2,” which was released on July 4, 2001, his popularity reached new heights. Along with his brother Shawn, he co-wrote the scripts for the two films and co-starred in them. Both movies, which his brother Keenen directed, became huge commercial successes.
He and Shawn co-hosted the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, which were held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on September 7, 2000. He also appeared in a skit with Lars Ulrich.
In the American black comedy thriller film “The Ladykillers,” which was directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, he co-starred with Tom Hanks. On March 26, 2004, the movie was released, and it quickly became a financial success.
Then, alongside Shawn, he co-wrote, produced, and appeared in two Keenen-directed comedies, White Chicks (2004) and Little Man (2006). The Wayans brothers’ celebrity increased as a result of both movies becoming smash hits at the box office. The Wayans also created the “Thugaboo” children’s television specials, which debuted on Nicktoons on August 11, 2006.
The American military-science-action movie “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” which came out on August 7, 2009, was Marlon’s subsequent notable comedy. He performed the part of Wallace A. Weems/Ripcord there, demonstrating once more his mastery of both humorous and serious parts. In spite of having a $175 million budget, the movie started at the top of the box office and has since made over $302 million worldwide.
In the American parody-comedy-horror movie “A Haunted House,” which was released on January 11, 2013, he starred as Malcolm Johnson and also served as a writer and producer. Michael Tiddes served as the movie’s director. Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, the movie was a great financial hit. Along with acting in the 2014 blockbuster success sequel “A Haunted House 2,” he also contributed as a writer and producer.
He played Special Agent Levy in the buddy cop action comedy movie “The Heat” alongside Sandra Bullock and other actors. On top of receiving mostly favorable reviews from critics, it was a sensational hit at the box office upon its June 28, 2013, release in the US.
From June 20 to August 15 of 2014, he served as the host of the American reality television game show “Funniest Wins,” which aired on TBS.
In the American comedy picture “Fifty Shades of Black,” which Michael Tiddes directed and which hit theaters on January 29, 2016, he co-wrote, co-produced, and played Christian Black. The film, a parody of the American erotic-romantic-drama movie “Fifty Shades of Grey” (2015), made $22 million worldwide on a $5 million budget.
The American comedy television series “Marlon,” which he starred in, debuted on NBC on August 16 and aired for 10 episodes through September 13 of that same year. NBC renewed the second season of the show, which aired for an additional ten episodes from June 14 to July 12, 2018.
Individual Life of Marlon Wayans
He had two children—Amai Zackary Wayans, born in 2000, and Shawn Howell Wayans, born in 2002—with his longtime partner and ex-wife, Angelica Zackary, whom he wed in 2005 and divorced in 2013.
Marlon Wayans Net Worth
An American comedian, actor, producer, writer, and director with a $40 million fortune is Marlon Wayans. Marlon comes from the illustrious Wayans comedic clan. He frequently works with Shawn Wayans, his brother. The movies “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” (1988), “Scary Movie” (2000), and “White Chicks” (2004) are among those for which he is well-known. He has been on “The Wayans Bros.” and “In Living Color” on television.