Damon Wayans Jr. is an American actor, comedian, and writer born on November 18, 1982, in Huntington, Vermont. He comes from a family with a rich history in entertainment. His father, Damon Wayans Sr., is a well-known actor, comedian, and writer, and his mother, Lisa Thorner, is the ex-wife of Damon Wayans Sr, who is also an actress.
What can be said about Damon Wayans Jr.’s net worth, given that his father, Damon Wayans Sr., is worth $35 million? Is it a result of inherited wealth or hard work?
Damon Wayans Jr. Net Worth
Damon Wayans Jr.’s net worth is estimated to be around $9 million as of date. This figure is based on his successful acting career, endorsements, and other business ventures.
His acting roles earned him an undisclosed 6-figure salary and his business ventures take his earnings even further.
In 2016, the actor bought a luxurious home in Hancock Park, Los Angeles, for $5.6 million. That same year, he co-founded an online merch business called MerchBooth.com (formerly Special Guest App) alongside Kristopher B. Jones.
MerchBooth.com has investments from Lightspeed Venture Partners, led by Jeremy Liew, and Precursor Ventures, led by Charles Hudson.
In addition, several notable Silicon Valley and Los Angeles luminaries have invested in the comedian’s merch company, including Jack Chou, former head of product at Pinterest and Affirm, Jimmy Lim, former lead product team member at LinkedIn and currently on the lead product team at Airbnb, and Eric Sherman, founder and CEO of Emmy Award-winning Bang Zoom Entertainment.
The list of investors in MerchBooth.com also includes well-known celebrity investors such as Kevin Hart, a world-famous comic from Philly, Jake Johnson, and Lamorne Morris, hilarious actors from the hit TV show “New Girl,” and Damon Sr. and Marlon Wayans, two of the funniest brothers in the entertainment industry.
Two years later, in 2018, Damon Wayans Jr. launched his production company, Two Shakes Entertainment, which he co-founded with Kameron Tarlow. The company has sold its first project to CW for a significant sum.
Despite having a lot of money in the bank, Damon leads a humble life and does not showcase his affluence on social media or in his physical appearance.
Damon Wayans Jr.’s success has extended beyond entertainment. Partaking in lucrative endorsements and sponsorships with prominent brands such as Pepsi, Nike, and Apple spices up the sources of his income. These partnerships not only highlight his marketability due to his acting success but also contribute to his overall financial standing.
Damon Wayans comes from “old Hollywood money”, but forged his own path, pursuing passions, earning accolades, and amassing a fortune independently from his father.
Damon Wayans Career Background
Damon Wayans Jr. got into acting at a young age, following the footsteps of his father and other family members, who are individually famous for a lifetime of SNL standup comedies and Eve’s Demons. He made his acting debut in the 1994 film “Blankman,” alongside his father and brothers, Dwayne Wayans and Michael Wayans. However, he didn’t immediately pursue acting as a full-time career.
After high school, Damon Wayans Jr. attended Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, where he studied graphic design and advertising. During this time, he continued to perform in comedy clubs and improv theaters, honing his comedic skills.
In 2005, Damon Wayans Jr. decided to wholly commit to acting; following this resolve, he began pursuing roles in television and film. Gaining recognition for his role as Brad Williams in the TV series “Happy Endings” (2011-2013), Damon fully immersed himself in screen performance.
Since then, Damon Wayans Jr. has appeared in various movies and TV shows, including “New Girl,” “Let’s Be Cops,” “How to Be Single,” and “Big Hero 6: The Series.” He has also showcased his comedic talents through stand-up comedy specials.
Damon Wayan’s Most Notable Roles in the Industry
Being an accomplished American actor and writer, comedian Damon Wayans Jr. made numerous notable contributions to the entertainment industry. Throughout his career, Damon has invested his time in horning his art.
One of Damon’s most notable roles was his portrayal of Coach in the popular television series “New Girl.” His performance as an all-around charming and witty Coach came off as intriguing to look at while still earning him his roses. However, he did leave the show in season 1. He debuted in the pilot episode as one of the 3 original characters Jess settled with after her break up.
Additionally, his voice remodeling as Wasabi in “Big Hero 6: The Series” further demonstrated his versatility as an actor, his capability to respond to the call of duty while putting up a show that settles with everyone.
Damon Wayans Jr.’s success on screen is not restricted alone to television. He has also made other significant contributions with standout performances in movies such as “Let’s Be Cops” and “How to Be Single.”
Effortlessly ensuring a transition between comedic and dramatic roles, Damon has earned widespread recognition and respect from both audiences and industry professionals alike, following completely in his father’s footsteps.
Away from his days as an actor, Damon Wayans Jr. has also displayed his creative talents as a writer and producer, co-creating and co-writing the ABC television series “Happy Together (2018 – 2019).”
Damon Wayans Jr.’s impressive body of work has shown a piece of his remarkable talent, versatility, and dedication, and the strength of the Wayans family as a benefactor to Hollywood. His contributions to the entertainment industry have garnered him public applause, including an Emmy nomination for his work on “Saturday Night Live.”
Does Wayans Jr. Awards
Ever since Damon Wayans Jr. established himself as a highly accomplished American actor, comedian, and writer, he has been able to bag the gratitude of fans and organizations alike. Some of his awards and nominations are listed below;
- 2012 – Nomination – Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination
- 2002- Winner – People’s Choice Awards-Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Series for his role in My Wife and Kids.
- 1992 – Nominated – Emmy-Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program
- 1991 – Nominated – Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
- 1991 – Nominated – Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program
- 1990 – Nominated – Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program
He has consistently showcased exceptional acting abilities and innate comedic timing, earning an Emmy nomination for his work on “Saturday Night Live.”
While his accolades in rock-hard silvers are but few, his recognition for roles has spoken truly about his days as an actor.
One of Damon Wayans Jr.’s most memorable film performances was in the comedy hit “Let’s Be Cops,” where he portrayed the endearing character of Justin G. Miller, a video game designer and friend to Ryan J O’ Malley, an unemployed quarterback portrayed by Jack John.
The story follows these characters who, amid their harrowing days, decide to impersonate cops. What began as a light fling changed drastically to a perilous situation as the pair encountered real-life gang issues. Through his portrayal, he effortlessly captured the hearts of audiences with his infectious charm and impeccable comedic delivery; the entire movie ends on a happy note with Justin finally pitching his police-themed game and Ryan graduating from a police academy.
On the small screen, Damon Wayans Jr.’s name became synonymous with excellence through his standout portrayal of Brad Williams in the widely acclaimed series “Happy Endings” which earned him a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2012 Additionally, his role as Coach in the beloved series “New Girl” solidified his position as a television favorite, showcasing his ability to effortlessly bring characters to life with a captivating blend of humor and authenticity.
Beyond his acting prowess, Damon Wayans Jr. has also made significant contributions as a writer and producer. Co-creating and co-writing the television series “Happy Together,” which drew inspiration from his own life experiences, he showcased his exceptional storytelling skills and unique perspective.
This creative endeavor not only underscored his versatility but also demonstrated his ability to craft engaging narratives that resonated with audiences while still validating the source of his income as one gotten from hard work and not passed down from father-son.
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