Damon Wayans Jr.

Damon Wayans Jr. is an American actor and comedian. Born Damon Kyle Wayans Jr. on November 18, 1982, in Huntington, Vermont, he is the son of actor and comedian Damon Wayans and a member of the Wayans family of entertainers. He began appearing on screen as a child and later developed a career in television comedy, feature films, voice acting, production and unscripted television hosting.

Wayans made his film debut in the 1994 comedy Blankman, playing a younger version of his father's character. He later appeared on My Wife and Kids and also worked as a staff writer on the series. Early in his stand-up career, he performed under the name Kyle Green, a choice that helped him build a comic identity apart from the family name. He appeared in and wrote for the sketch series The Underground and then moved into larger film roles, including the Wayans family comedy Dance Flick and the Adam McKay film The Other Guys.

His major television breakthrough came with the ABC sitcom Happy Endings, in which he played Brad Williams from 2011 to 2013. The ensemble comedy followed a group of friends in Chicago and became known for fast-paced dialogue and a devoted fan base. Wayans's performance as Brad, a confident and playful husband with a strong comic rhythm, earned awards attention, including a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination and NAACP Image Award nominations.

Wayans also became closely associated with New Girl. He appeared in the pilot as Coach, but because Happy Endings was renewed, the role was initially reduced after the pilot. After Happy Endings ended, he returned to New Girl in a recurring and then regular capacity, adding another popular sitcom role to his career. His work during this period positioned him as one of the more recognizable television comedy actors of the 2010s.