# Damon Wayans Jr.

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, for which he was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2012, and as Coach in the Fox sitcom New Girl. In 2014, he starred in the comedy film Let's Be Cops, and provided the voice of Wasabi in Big Hero 6.
He is the eldest son of actor and comedian Damon Wayans, and nephew of Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Kim Wayans, and Marlon Wayans.

## Early life

Wayans, was born on November 18, 1982, in Huntington, Vermont. He is a member of the Wayans family, the son of Lisa Thorner and actor and comedian Damon Wayans. He has three younger siblings: Michael, Cara Mia, and Kyla.

## Career

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.
He appeared in and served as a writer on The Underground. Wayans Jr. 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.
From April 2011 to May 2013, Wayans starred as Brad Williams, one of the lead characters in the ABC comedy series Happy Endings, alongside Eliza Coupe, Elisha Cuthbert, Zachary Knighton, Adam Pally, and Casey Wilson. Despite critical acclaim and a cult following, the show was cancelled by ABC after concluding its third season on May 3, 2013.
Wayans was nominated for "Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series" at the NAACP Image Awards and Critic's Choice Television Awards for his work on Happy Endings.
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, a former roommate who had been pursuing a professional basketball career in Latvia.
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 October 2018, it was announced that Wayans would be starring in a sitcom entitled Happy Together, alongside Amber Stevens West. It was canceled after 13 episodes, due to low ratings. In 2025 he is starring alongside his father Damon Wayans Sr. on a show poppa's house loosely inspired by their actual life.

## Personal life

Although Wayans likes to keep his personal life away from the public, Damon Jr has a total of 6 children: two daughters with high school ex-girlfriend Aja Metoyer, whom he once sued for full custody at one point in their daughter's teenage years due to concerns of their mother's lifestyle affecting them, and 4 with his current wife Samara Saraiva 2 daughters, and two sons as well one granddaughter the couple share named Itali from daughter Berlyn Wayans and ex highschool boyfriend, Mike Price.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1994 | Blankman | Young Kevin Walker | |
| 2009 | Dance Flick | Thomas Uncles | |
| 2010 | Marmaduke | Thunder | Voice |
| 2010 | The Other Guys | Detective Fosse | |
| 2014 | Someone Marry Barry | Desmond | |
| 2014 | Let's Be Cops | Justin G. Miller | |
| 2014 | Big Hero 6 | Wasabi | Voice |
| 2016 | The Land Before Time XIV: Journey of the Brave | Wild Arms | Voice |
| 2016 | 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 | |
| 2021 | Cherry | Drill Sgt. Masters | |
| 2021 | Long Weekend | Doug | |
| 2021 | The Harder They Fall | Monroe Grimes | |
| 2021 | Supercool | Jimmy | |
| 2024 | Players | Adam | |
| 2025 | Kinda Pregnant | Dave | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2001–2004 | My Wife and Kids | John | 8 episodes |
| 2006 | The Underground | Cast member | |
| 2011–2013 | Happy Endings | Brad Williams | Main cast, 3 seasons Nominated – Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated – 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) 44 episodes |
| 2012 | Happy Endings: Happy Rides | Brad Williams | 2 episodes |
| 2012 | 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" |
| 2019–2020 | Bob's Burgers | Arnold (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2020 | The Twilight Zone | Jason Grant | Episode: "A Small Town" |
| 2020 | Hoops | Damian Chapman | Voice; Episode: "The Strike" |
| 2021 | Kenan | Sateen | Episode: "Flipp'd" |
| 2021 | Frogger | Host | 13 episodes; based on the video game Frogger |
| 2023–present | Raid the Cage | Host | 12 episodes; based on the format of the same name |
| 2024 | Poppa's House | Damon | Main cast Also; Executive Producer |
| 2024 | Shrinking | Derrick #2 | Recurring Character |
| 2025 || Poppa's House (TV series) || Damon Fulton Jr || Recurring Character |}