Scary Movie

Background:

One of the most popular Wayans Brothers, African/American actor/writer/producer Marlon Wayans rose to fame as a part of the funnies family in show business, Wayans Brothers. Starting out with his role as a pedestrian in Keenen’s “Gonna Git You Sucka” (1988), the youngest of the 10 Wayans children became a famous face among TV viewers as a regular in Keenen’s show “In Living Color” (1992-93) and a costar in The WB successful sitcom “The Wayans Bros” (1995-99, opposite brother Shawn). He gained even more prominence as a co-writer for the blockbuster hits horror spoof “Scary Movie” (2000) and “Scary Movie (2001),” in which he also played Shorty Meeks.

Aside from his fruitful partnership with his family, Marlon also made a name for himself with his brilliant dramatic turn as Jared Leto’s drug addict friend Tyrone C. Love in the Darren Aronofsky-directed “Requiem for a Dream” (2000), for which he took home a number of accolades from film critics. He also worked with director Randall Miller in comedy film “The Sixth Man” (1997), actors David Spade and Matthew Lillard in “Senseless” (1998), filmmaker Courtney Solomon and actors Jeremy Irons and Bruce Payne in “Dungeons & Dragons” (2000) and heavyweight Tom Hanks in the Coen brothers remake “The Ladykillers” (2004) and took home a BET Comedy Award for his writing in “White Chicks” (2004), in which he also played an FBI agent. His more recent and forthcoming projects include “Little Man” (2006, earned two Razzie Awards), “Norbit” (2007) and “G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra” (2009).

Marlon will play a role in a 2009 action film directed by Keenen. He also set to portray Ripcord in the upcoming “G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra” (2009), directed by Stephen Sommers and starring Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum and Brendan Fraser.

As for his private life, Marlon is not married. He has a son and a daughter from his relationship with lover Angelica Zackary.

The Youngest of Wayans

Childhood and Family:

In New York City, New York, Marlon Wayans was born on July 23, 1972, to parents Howell Wayans (supermarket manager) and Elvira Wayans (homemaker). Despite being raised in the Jehovah’s Witnesses household, Marlon was never baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses. He is the youngest member of 10 Wayans siblings, including actor Dwayne Wayans (born in 1957), actor/writer/producer/director Keenen Ivory Wayans (born in 1958), actor/writer/producer Damon Wayans (born in 1960), actor/ writer Shawn Wayans (born in 1971) and singer/writer/actress Kim Wayans (born in 1961).

A native of New York, Marlon was educated in a school made renowned in the movie “Fame” named Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York. After completing his studies, he flew to Washington to learn film at Howard University. As for his personal life, Marlon is the father of two children: a son named Shawn Howell (named after his brother Shawn and father Howell) and a daughter named Arnai Zackary, from his relationship with girlfriend Angelica Zackary.

Requiem for a Dream

Career:

Hailed from the busiest family in entertainment industry, Marlon Wayans followed in the footsteps of the guide of eldest clan member and brother Keenen Ivory to enter the business by making his first movie appearance as a pedestrian in Keenen’s blaxploitation spoof “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” (1988). After playing various roles in the 1991 TV film “The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime,” he got his next movie outing, this time with brother Damon in the action comedy “Mo’ Money” (1992), directed by Peter MacDonald. The film saw him in a bigger role as Seymou, the younger brother and partner in crime of the con man hero. Meanwhile, he did a number of national commercials, before finally joining the cast of Keenen’s landmark and trend-setting hip-hop variety show “In Living Color” for 1992-93 seasons, a gig that also marked Marlon’s first exposure as a regular. The comedy sketch also featured sister Kim and brothers Keenen, Damon and Shawn.

Aside from his natural knack for comedy, Marlon tested the waters of drama/thriller when he took on the supporting role of Bugaloo in the Jeff Pollack-directed “Above the Rim,” in 1994. But, it was his comic talents that brought Marlon into fame when he costarred with brother Shawn in the WB sitcom “The Wayans Bros.” (1995-99). Also listed as an uncredited writer and director for the series, Marlon started to explore his hidden skills and the result is the 1996 comedy film “Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood,” where he served as co-writer and costar, with brother Shawn, as well as co-executive producer. The black actor then tried his hand in voice over by providing the voice of Blue for the animated TV serial “Waynehead” before headlining the Randall Miller-helmed sport-themed comedy “The Sixth Man,” the next year. In the comedy romance “Senseless” (1998), he shared top bill with such actors as David Spade and Matthew Lillard.

“I would do straight dramatic stuff. I’m trained as a dramatic actor. A lot of people just think I’m funny and crazy all the time, but I went to a performing arts high school, so I'm trained in the dramatic arts. I just happen to be funny. Marlon Wayans

2000 marked Marlon’s triumphant year with two high profile projects under his belt. Marlon scored his first sensation with his dramatic turn as a drug abusing companion of Jared Leto’s, Tyrone C. Love, in Darren Aronofsky’s “Requiem for a Dream.” The role won him critical attention from film critics. His next success arrived with the runaway hit “Scary Movie,” a send-up teen horror genre which he co-wrote with Shawn and directed by Keenen. Aside from writing, the duo Marlon and Shawn were also seen acting where Marlon was cast as the pot-loving Shorty Meeks. The brothers reprised the same formula for the similar flourishing 2001 installment “Scary Movie 2.”

Also in 2000, Marlon teamed up with Tom Bosley, Orlando Brown, Jenna Elfman and Jeannie Elias for the animated feature “The Tangerine Bear,” where he lent his voice for the character of Louie Blue, and assumed on an action-oriented role as Snails, the bungling Rogue in the Jeremy Irons and Bruce Payne vehicle “Dungeons & Dragons,” a performance that was raspingly criticized.

During 2002-2003, Marlon withdrew from the public eye. He maintained his presence by taking the role as a writer for the third sequel “Scary Movie 3” (2003). Marlon made his return to the big screen movie in the subsequent year when he joined his brother, director/actor/writer Damon in the drama film “Behind the Smile,” in which he was additionally featured as Danny Styles. Next up, he costarred with Tom Hanks in the Coen brothers loopy remake of the classic British comedy “The Ladykillers” (2004) and rejoined his family in the comedy film “White Chicks” (2004), directed by elder brother Keenen and co-starring Shawn and actress Jaime King. Marlon and Shawn portrayed a couple of FBI agents that go undercover as hotel heiresses. In addition to acting, Marlon also contributed for the screenplay and co-won a 2004 BET Comedy in the category of Outstanding Writing for a Box Office Movie.

2006 saw Marlon have role and co-write the Keenen-helmed comedy “Little Man,” which starred Mathew Ast, Jeffrey Ballard, Alex Borstein and Brittany Daniel, share the writing duty with brother Keenen for the comedy “The Munsters,” and appear as a guest star in the TV series “Six Degrees,” as Homeless guy. He picked up two Razzie Awards for Worst Actor and Worst Screen Couple for his work in “Little Man.” The following year, Marlon played the small role of Buster in the Eddie Murphy vehicle “Norbit.”

Marlon will play a role in a 2009 action film directed by Keenen. He also set to portray Ripcord in the upcoming “G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra” (2009), directed by Stephen Sommers and starring Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum and Brendan Fraser.

Awards:

• Razzie: Worst Actor, “Little Man,” 2007

• Razzie: Worst Screen Couple, “Little Man,” 2007

• BET Comedy: Outstanding Writing for a Box Office Movie, “White Chicks,” 2004