1990s
In Living Color
Appears as DJ and performer.
FLM.REDSHAWN
WAYANS
ชอว์น เวยานส์
Sketch comedy and the art of parody
From In Living Color and The Wayans Bros. to White Chicks.
New York City, New York, United States
A performer and writer in comedy
Shawn Wayans is an American actor, comedian, writer and producer born in New York City on 19 January 1971. His career combines sketch comedy, sitcoms and films that play with familiar movie genres.
One of his early television platforms was In Living Color, where he appeared as a DJ and performer. The sketch show was created by his brother Keenen Ivory Wayans.
Shawn later starred with his brother Marlon in The Wayans Bros., a sitcom about two brothers. Their work together continued in films including Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996).
In Scary Movie (2000), Shawn co-wrote and played Ray in a parody of popular horror films. The film’s jokes depend on the audience recognizing genre conventions while the performers push situations into absurdity.
White Chicks (2004) reunites Shawn and Marlon as FBI agents Kevin and Marcus Copeland. Shawn also co-wrote and co-produced the film, reflecting his role in shaping the comedy as well as performing it.
Selected work
1995
The Wayans Bros.
Stars alongside Marlon Wayans.
2000
Scary Movie
Co-writes and plays Ray.
2004
White Chicks
Co-writes and plays Kevin Copeland.
Performance readings are FLM.RED editorial interpretation.
Films in FLM.RED
Titles in this collection; not a complete filmography.
Sources & image notes
- Shawn Wayans — professional biography
- Associated Press — Wayans family film work
- Rotten Tomatoes — television and film career
- Encyclopedia.com — birth and credits
- Laugh Factory — comedy work
Portrait illustration: FLM.RED.