Shawn Wayans began his career in 1988, and he has since worked in many aspects of the entertainment industry. He is an actor, comedian, writer, producer, and DJ. However, Wayans is best known for his films. Due to the longevity of his career and his professional success, he is now a wealthy man, and it is estimated that Shawn Wayans’ net worth is $30 million. Here is how the entertainer amassed his wealth.
Shawn Wayans’ Early Life
Shawn Wayans was born in New York City on January 19, 1971. He is one of ten children, and he grew up in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. Wayans attended Bayard Rustin High School for the Humanities, from where he graduated in 1989.
His Television Career
Although his parents have no background in entertainment, Wayans and several of his siblings went on to have careers in the industry. Wayans first became widely known in the Fox series ‘In Living Color,’ which was created by his brother, Keenan. The series also featured his sister Kim and his brothers Keenan, Dwayne, Marlon, and Damon. Shawn Wayans played the role of DJ SW-1. ‘In Living Color’ ran from 1990 to 1993, and Wayans won a TV Land Award for his performance in the series. Wayan’s next television role also involved him working with his family, as he co-created and starred in the sitcom ‘The Wayans Bros.’ with brother Marlon. The series ran from 1995 to 1999. Next, Wayans co-created, starred in, and executive produced ‘Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood.’ During the early 1990s, Wayans had guest roles in ‘Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper’ and ‘MacGyver.’
He provided the voice of Toof for the children’s animated series ‘Waynehead,’ which was based on his brother Wayne’s childhood. In the late 1990s, Wayans had roles in ‘The Parent Hood’ and ‘Comics Come Home 4.’ He also voiced Bad Boy in the 1999 series ‘Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child.’ Wayans acted as a host for the first time in 2000 when he hosted the ‘2000 MTV Video Music Awards.’ As he was focusing on his film career in the 2000s, Wayans did not have a television role again until 2006, when he voiced Slim in ‘Thugaboo: Sneaker Madness’ and Thugaboo: Miracle on D-Roc’s Street.’ It was another decade before Wayans worked in television again. In 2016, he voiced Tommy in the animated series ‘Animals.’ A year later, he had a role in ‘The Boo Crew.’ Wayans has not appeared on television since 2017. Outside of his career in television and film, Shawn Wayans has also worked as a stand-up comedian. Since 2019, he has toured many cities in the United States, performing his stand-up routine.
Wayans’ Film Career
Shawn Wayans made his film debut in the 1988 film ‘I’m Gonna Git You Sucka,’ which was written and directed by Wayans’s older brother Keenan. However, Wayans only played the small role of a pedestrian in this film. At the time, Wayans was still studying at high school. He then had a role in the gang drama film ‘New Blood’ in 1999. Wayans’ biggest career breakthrough was starring in the 2000 cult movie ‘Scary Movie’, which he had co-written with his brother Marlon, Phil Beauman, Aaron Seltzer, Jason Friedberg, and Buddy Johnson. It also starred his brother Marlon and was directed by his brother Keenan. In the film, Wayans played Ray Wilkins, and others who starred in the movie were Carmen Electra, Dave Sheridan, Anna Faris, Regina Hall, and Jon Abrahams. ‘Scary Movie’ was made on a shoestring budget of just $19 million, but it took more than $157 million at the worldwide box office. Wayans reprised the role of Wilkins in 2001 for ‘Scary Movie 2.’ Although there have been further sequels in the Scary Movie film series, Wayans did not have any involvement in the sequels after the second film.
Also, in 2001, Wayans had a role in ‘Open Mic.’ The next film in which Shawn Wayans starred was ‘White Chicks’ in 2004. Once again, Shawn Wayans worked alongside other members of his family on the film, and he is credited with co-writing the story and screenplay. The actor also made his directorial debut with this film. Wayans won a BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Box Office Movie for this film. Two years later, Wayans and his brothers Keenan and Marlon co-starred in the comedy film ‘Little Man.’ In addition to appearing in the film, it was also co-written and co-produced by Shawn Wayans. The most recent film in which Shawn Wayans has appeared is the 2009 film ‘Dance Flick,’ in which he played the daddy of baby. Although the actor only had a small role in this film, he is credited as the writer. Wayans has not had an acting role in a film since the end of the 2000s, as he has concentrated on live performances as a comedian.
Shawn Wayans’ Net Worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Shawn Wayans’ net worth is estimated at $30 million. He has made this money through both film and television and has undertaken many different roles in the media. Shawn Wayans has worked as an actor, producer, director, and writer, all of which have helped Wayans to amass his wealth.
His Personal Life
Although Shawn Wayans is now single, he was once married and is a father from this relationship. His former wife, Ursula, is a fitness trainer and actress, and they met in the early 1990s when Ursula was competing in fitness events. During their marriage, Shawn and Ursula Wayans had three children together. Their first daughter, Laila, was born in 1999. Ilia, their second daughter, was born in 2002. Two years later, the former couple had a son who they named Marlon after Wayans’ brother. Eventually, Shawn and Ursula Wayans separated in 2008.
