Kim Wayans
Kimberly Nichole Wayans (born October 16, 1961) is an American actress, comedian and director. Having made her television debut as Allison in the first season of The Cosby Show spin-off A Different World, she became known for her numerous roles on the Fox sketch comedy series In Living Color (1990–1993) and as Tonia Harris on the NBC/UPN sitcom In the House (1995–1998). Wayans starred as Audrey in the drama film Pariah, for which she was nominated for two Black Reel Awards and an NAACP Image Award in 2012.
Also recorded as Kim N. Wayans · Kim Nichole Wayans · Kimberly Nichole Wayans
Kim Wayans

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- Name
- Kim Wayans
- Birth Name
- Kimberly Nichole Wayans
- Born
- 16 October 1961
- Birthplace
- New York City, New York, U.S.
- Education
- Wesleyan University (BA)
- Occupation
- * Actress
- Spouse
- Kevin Knotts
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
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Documentary summary
Kimberly Nichole Wayans (born October 16, 1961) is an American actress, comedian and director. Having made her television debut as Allison in the first season of The Cosby Show spin-off A Different World, she became known for her numerous roles on the Fox sketch comedy series In Living Color (1990–1993) and as Tonia Harris on the NBC/UPN sitcom In the House (1995–1998). Wayans starred as Audrey in the drama film Pariah, for which she was nominated for two Black Reel Awards and an NAACP Image Award in 2012.
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wikidata · Q456199 · wikipedia · Kim Wayans
In this article
Biography
Biography
Wayans has directed episodes for television shows such as the sitcoms My Wife and Kids and The Neighborhood as well as the Disney Channel original series Bunk'd and Just Roll with It.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Kim Wayans • Birth Name — Kimberly Nichole Wayans • Born — 16 October 1961 • Birthplace — New York City, New York, U.S. • Education — Wesleyan University (BA) • Occupation — * Actress • comedian • television director • Years Active — 1982–present • Spouse — Kevin Knotts • Relatives — * Keenen Ivory Wayans (brother) • Damon Wayans (brother) • Shawn Wayans (brother) • Marlon Wayans (brother) • Damon Wayans Jr. (nephew) • Family — Wayans family
Early life
Early life
Wayans was born in Harlem, New York City, the daughter of Elvira Alethia (née Green), a homemaker and social worker, and Howell Stouten Wayans, a supermarket manager. One of ten siblings, she and her family lived in Fulton Houses, a housing project in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood, and were Jehovah's Witnesses. Wayans graduated from Wesleyan University, where she studied English.
Career
Career
Wayans made her film debut in Hollywood Shuffle (1987). Her earliest roles on television included a guest appearance on China Beach and as Allison on A Different World during its first season. In film, she portrayed minor characters in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1989) and A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994). Both films were directed by her brother Keenen Ivory Wayans. She starred with her siblings on the Fox variety show In Living Color. Wayans was a part of the cast at its outset in 1990, where she did celebrity impressions of Naomi Campbell, Whitney Houston, Vanessa Williams and Oprah Winfrey. Regarding original characters, one reviewer opined she was "hysterical" as Mrs. Brooks and another claimed Wayans played Benita Butrell "to perfection." She left the series along with her brothers Keenen Ivory and Damon in 1993, after a dispute between Fox and the three Wayanses regarding reruns and syndication. In 1996, Wayans joined the cast of sitcom In the House as Tonia. She provided the voice of Mrs. Wayne on short-lived cartoon Waynehead. She appeared as Mrs. Johnson in Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996), and had a starring role in the art film Talking About Sex. She also appeared in two episodes as Sheila on The Wayans Bros. starring her younger brothers Marlon and Shawn. Wayans co-starred in Juwanna Mann (2002) as basketball player Latisha Jansen. Wayans then worked as a story editor on her brother Damon's sitcom My Wife and Kids. In 2008, she co wrote a series of children's books with her husband Kevin Knotts, titled Amy Hodgepodge, about a multiracial girl adjusting to life in public school after years of homeschooling. Known predominantly as a comedian, Wayans claims to have struggled finding roles in other mediums. However, in 2011, she was cast as Audrey, a mother who struggles to understand her seventeen-year-old daughter in the drama film Pariah. According to director Dee Rees, Wayans was chosen in the role as she was the only actress to give Audrey "vulnerability" in her audition. Wayans was nominated for a Black Reel Award and NAACP Image Award in 2012, both in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress. Following Pariah, Wayans has acted in more dramatic fare, including guest spots on Criminal Minds and Hawaii Five-0. Her turn on the former led to a regular role as paralegal Vi Briggs on Reckless. She appeared as a doctor on The Soul Man and portrayed Susan on New Girl, appearing in an episode alongside her nephew, Damon Wayans Jr. Wayans returned to sketch comedy, appearing in one episode of A Black Lady Sketch Show in 2021. In November 2025, it was revealed that she joined the cast of Scary Movie, which is set to release in June 2026. In January 2026, she launched a comedy series on YouTube titled Still Got It with Izzi Fabulous.
Impressions
Impressions
• Altovise Davis • La Toya Jackson • Esther Rolle • Crystal Waters • Grace Jones • LaWanda Page • Oprah Winfrey • Tracy Chapman • Della Reese • Lynne Thigpen • Whitney Houston • Vanessa L. Williams • Cree Summer • Tina Turner • Sandra "Pepa" Denton • Telma Hopkins • Dionne Warwick • Lucille Ball
Characters
Characters
• Benita Butrell • Cousin Elsee • Laquita (I Love Laquita) • Lil' Magic • Mrs. Brooks • Reesie (Cephus & Reesie)
Television
Television
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1987–1988 — A Different World — Allison — Recurring cast: season 1 • 1988 — China Beach — Cameo Candette — Episode: "Lost and Found" • 1990 — Dream On — Nicki — Episode: "Over Your Dead Body" • 1990–1993 — In Living Color — Herself/Castmember — Main cast: season 1-4 • 1991 — Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime — Various Characters — TV special Documentary • 1995–1998 — In the House — Tonia Riley Harris — Main cast: season 2-4 • The Wayans Bros. — Shelia — 2 episodes • 1996–1997 — Waynehead — Mom — Voice, main cast • 1998 — Getting Personal — Rhonda — Episode: "There's Something About Rhonda" • 2000 — Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child — Jackie-In-The-Box / Lulu — Voice, episode: "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" • Cousin Skeeter — Mystic Ruler — Episode: “New Kids on the Planet” • 2001–2005 — My Wife and Kids — Writer, producer, director • 2012 — Criminal Minds — Darlene Beckett — Episode: "The Pact" • 2013 — The Soul Man — Dr. Owens — Episode: "Get Thee Behind Me" • 2014 — Reckless — Vi Briggs — Main cast • 2015 — Hawaii Five-0 — Diane — Episode: "Ike Hanau" • 2016 — Hit the Floor — Karen Halford — Episode: "Lockout" • New Girl — Susan — 2 episodes • 2017 — The Breaks — Ella Williams — Recurring cast • 2018 — Marlon — Miss Shabazz — Episode: "Divorce Counseling" • 2020 — Boomerang — Juanita — Episode: "End of the Road" • 2021 — A Black Lady Sketch Show — Aunt Bev — Episode: "Way to Ruin the Party, Soya!" • Just Roll with It — Director: 1 episode • Bunk'd — Director: 1 episode • 2022 — The Neighborhood — Director: 2 episodes • 2024–2025 — Poppa's House — Caller #2 — Voice, executive producer, director, writer
Web series
Web series
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2026 — Still Got It with Izzi Fabulous — Izzi Fabulous — Creator, writer, producer
Identity
Identity
Kim Wayans is recorded as actress, screenwriter, television director and television producer.
Film
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1987 — Hollywood Shuffle — Customer in Chair • Eddie Murphy Raw — Interviewed Fan • 1988 — I'm Gonna Git You Sucka — Nightclub Singer • 1994 — Floundering — Unemployment Clerk • Talking About Sex — Andie Norman • A Low Down Dirty Shame — Diane • 1996 — Don't Be a Menace — Mrs. Johnson • 1997 — Critics and Other Freaks — Bettina • 2001 — Scary Movie 2 — Newswoman — Deleted scenes • 2002 — Juwanna Mann — Latisha Jansen • 2006 — Thugaboo: Sneaker Madness — Momma/Joyce — Voice, television film • Thugaboo: A Miracle on D-Roc's Street — Momma — Voice, television film • 2007 — What News? — Pearl "Lightning" Davis — Television film • 2009 — Dance Flick — Ms. Dontwannabebothered • 2011 — Pariah — Audrey • 2017 — Ray Meets Helen — Lizzie Faye • 2020 — Exit Package — Mary Birdsall — Short • 2026 — Scary Movie — Nurse Ratchett
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q456199: Kim Wayans
Reputable secondary · Wikidata
- “Kim Wayans”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority file
Awards and nomiations
• Award — Year — Category — Nominated work — Result • BET Comedy Awards — 2005 — Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series — My Wife and Kids • Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series • Black Reel Awards — 2012 — Outstanding Supporting Actress — Pariah • Best Breakthrough Performance • Chlotrudis Awards — 2012 — Best Supporting Actress • NAACP Image Awards — 2012 — Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture • TV Land Awards — 2012 — Groundbreaking Show — In Living Color
Literature
Scholarly footprint
A count of publications is evidence of attention, not of standing, and is given here only as a measure.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Kim Wayans Biography (1961–). www.filmreference.com.
- 2.Stated on Finding Your Roots, January 19, 2016, PBS
- 3.Keenen Ivory Wayans' Interactive Family Tree. PBS. January 22, 2016.
- 4.Daniels, Karu F. What Ever Happened To Kim Wayans?. NBC News. October 21, 2016.
- 5.Wild, David. FILM; The Family That Clowns Together. The New York Times. July 16, 2000.
- 6.Marlon Wayans. TIME. November 4, 2007.
- 7.The Movie Chicks – Interview – Marlon Wayans
- 8.Booe, Martin. He's So Fresh. The Albany Herald. 4−6. October 28, 1990.
- 9.Rauch Klotman, Phyllis. Frame by Frame II: A Filmography of the African American Image, 1978-1994. Indiana University Press. 223. 1997. 9780253211200.
- 10.Smith, Dinitia. Color Them Funny. New York Magazine. 34. October 8, 1990.
- 11.Fearn-Banks, Kathleen. Historical Dictionary of African-American Television. Scarecrow Press. 472. November 15, 2005. 9780810865228.
- 12.Wilmington, Michael. Machismo the big joke in 'Sucka'. Boca Raton News. 3W. February 24, 1989.
- 13.Steelman, Ben. Wayan's wit carries 'Shame'. Star-News. 2D. November 30, 1994.
- 14.'In Living Color' First Episode: THR's 1990 Review. The Hollywood Reporter. April 15, 2015.
- 15.Sunday Night Highlights. The Hour. 37. June 4, 1993.
- 16.Tonight's series. Times-News. 9E. October 18, 1992.
- 17.Froelich, Janis D. Living' it up. Tampa Bay Times. May 12, 1990.
- 18.Best Bets. Eugene Register-Guard. 13D. January 3, 1993.
- 19.Sunday. Observer-Reporter. C-2. December 18, 1992.
- 20.Richmond, Ray. Producers: slot hurts 'Living Color'. Observer-Reporter. B12. October 21, 1993.
- 21.Weintraub, Joanne. Network strives to include culture on little screen. The Vindicator. B10. August 3, 1996.
- 22.Perlmutter, David. The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. 684. May 4, 2018. 9781538103746.
- 23.Johnson Publishing Company. Wayans Brothers' Parody, 'Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood', Takes Humorous Look At Black Urban Movies. Jet. 61. February 12, 1996.
- 24.Flowers, John. Psychotherapists on Film, 1899-1999. McFarland & Company. 2. 573. 2004. 9780786419081.
- 25.Highlights. The Tuscaloosa News. 8C. December 17, 1998.
- 26.Germain, David. Movie gets whistled for an offensive foul. The Daily Gazette. D3. June 21, 2002.
- 27.White, Katherine. The Wayans Brothers. Rosen Publishing Group. 36. December 15, 2004. 9781404202658.
- 28.Van Meter, William. Kim Wayans. Out. January 6, 2012.
- 29.Fisher, Lucinda. 'In Living Color' Star in New Dramatic Series. ABC News. June 27, 2014.
- 30.Morales, Wilson. Pariah Lead Black Reel Awards Field. Black Film. December 14, 2011.
- 31.2012 NAACP Image Award Film And TV Nominations. Deadline Hollywood. January 19, 2012.
- 32.Ng, Philiana. 'In Living Color' Star Books TV Land's 'Soul Man' (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. April 17, 2013.
- 33.Smith, C. Molly. New Girl finale recap: The top 5 moments from Wedding Eve / Landing Gear. Entertainment Weekly. May 11, 2016.
- 34.Porter, Rick. 'A Black Lady Sketch Show' Renewed for Season 3 at HBO. The Hollywood Reporter. May 24, 2021.
- 35.Grobar, Matt. Scary Movie 6 Adds Damon Wayans Jr., Kim Wayans & Heidi Gardner; Sets Cheri Oteri and Chris Elliott To Return. Deadline Hollywood. November 12, 2025.
- 36.Young, Danielle. Kim Wayans Launches Character Comedy Sketch Show on YouTube. BET. January 13, 2026.
- 37.BET Comedy Awards (2005). IMDb.
- 38."Pariah" And "The Help" Lead 2012 Black Reel Awards Nominations. Hot 100.9. 2011-12-14.
- 39.2012, 18th Annual Awards, March 21, 2012. Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film. 2026-03-29.
- 40.2012 NAACP Image Award Film And TV Nominations. Deadline. 2012-01-19.
- 41.Kellogg, Jane. Classic TV Stars Reunite for TV Land Awards. The Hollywood Reporter. 2012-04-15.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
authority file
Partially resolvedreference work
Partially resolvedreference work
Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 15 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Film memorabilia
37,515 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
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