Keenen Ivory Desuma Wayans (born June 8, 1958) is an American actor, comedian, director, and filmmaker, part of the Wayans family. He rose to fame as creator and host of the 1990–1994 Fox sketch comedy series In Living Color.
He cowrote Hollywood Shuffle (1987) and directed Scary Movie (2000), the highest-grossing film by an African American director until Tim Story‘s Fantastic Four (2005). He hosted The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show (1997–1998) and judged Last Comic Standing in 2014.
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Keenan Wayans Net Worth
Keenen Ivory Wayans has a net worth of $65 million. He is a key member of the Wayans family of entertainers, often featuring his family members in his films.
Wayans was the co-creator and executive producer of the sketch comedy show In Living Color and produced many hit films starring his relatives. In 2007, he bought a home in Tarzana, California for $2.6 million. In November 2020, he listed the home for sale at $3.2 million.
Early life
Wayans was born in Harlem, New York City, the second of ten children to Elvira Alethia (née Green; July 23, 1938 – July 10, 2020), a homemaker and social worker, and Howell Stouten Wayans (August 26, 1936 – April 1, 2023), a supermarket manager.
His paternal line traces back to Madagascar. Raised in Manhattan’s Fulton housing projects, he attended Seward Park High School and later Tuskegee University on an engineering scholarship. He joined Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity but dropped out one semester before graduation to pursue comedy.
Career
During his first set at The Improv in New York, Keenen Ivory Wayans met Robert Townsend, who helped him learn the comedy business. They drove to Los Angeles in 1980, where Wayans worked as an actor, appearing on For Love and Honor and Hill Street Blues.
Townsend wrote and directed Hollywood Shuffle, which Wayans costarred in and cowrote. Its success funded I’m Gonna Git You Sucka. Fox approached Wayans to create In Living Color (1990–1994), a bold sketch comedy series starring people of color.
Personal life
Keenen Ivory Wayans married Daphne Polk on June 16, 2001, and they had five children together. The couple separated in 2004 and divorced in late 2006. After the divorce, Wayans was romantically linked to actress Brittany Daniel.
Which one of the Wayans passed away?
Which one of the Wayans passed away?
The legendary Wayans family matriarch died on July 23, 2020, at 81, while their patriarch, Howell Stouten Wayans, died on April 1, 2023, at 86. Neither’s cause of death was disclosed.
Conclusion
Keenen Ivory Wayans’ financial success is as impressive as his impact on comedy and entertainment. His journey from a budding comedian to a wealthy, influential figure in Hollywood is a testament to his talent, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit.
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FAQs about Keenan Wayans Net Worth
- What is Keenen Ivory Wayans’ net worth?
- As of 2021, he is the richest Wayans brother, but the exact figure is not publicly disclosed.
- What made Keenen Wayans famous?
- His work on “In Living Color” and various other projects in film and television.
- Who is the richest Wayans sibling?
- Keenen Ivory Wayans is considered the richest.
- Where does Keenen Wayans live?
- His current residence is not publicly known.
- Who was the first Wayans brother to become famous?
- Keenen Ivory Wayans was the first to achieve national prominence.
