Keenen Ivory Wayans
Keenen Ivory Wayans
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Keenen Ivory Wayans was born on June 8, 1958, in New York City, USA. He is often referred to as Keenen Ivory Wayans or simply Keenen.
Birth and Death Dates
Birth: June 8, 1958
Death: (no information available)
Nationality and Profession(s)
Keenen Ivory Wayans is an American comedian, actor, writer, director, and producer. He is a member of the renowned Wayans family, known for their contributions to comedy and entertainment.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Harlem, New York City, Keenen was exposed to the world of comedy from a young age. His father, Howell Monroe Wayans, and mother, Elvira Alethia (Green), were both involved in show business. Keenen's siblings, including Damon, Marlon, Shawn, and Kim, would all go on to pursue careers in entertainment as well.
Keenen attended the New Lincoln School and later graduated from George Washington High School. He began writing jokes at a young age and soon became known among his peers for his comedic talent. After high school, Keenen went on to study English at Howard University but dropped out before graduating.
Major Accomplishments
In 1987, Keenen created the popular sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) with his brother Damon as part of the cast. However, he was eventually fired from the show after just one episode due to creative differences.
Keenen's breakthrough came in 1990 when he co-created and starred in the hit TV series "In Living Color," which ran for five seasons. The show became known for its edgy humor and memorable characters, including the iconic "Homey D. Clown" character played by Damon Wayans.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Keenen's notable works include:
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988): A parody film that paid homage to blaxploitation movies.
A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994): A comedy film starring Keenen and Charles S. Dutton.
The Platinum Collection (2001): A collection of the best episodes from "In Living Color."Impact and Legacy
Keenen Ivory Wayans has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. His contributions to comedy have inspired generations of comedians, writers, and actors. Through his work on "In Living Color," he helped pave the way for future sketch comedy shows.
Wayans' impact extends beyond his own work as well. He has been credited with launching the careers of numerous notable comedians and actors, including Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey, and Chris Rock.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Keenen Ivory Wayans is widely quoted and remembered for his innovative approach to comedy and entertainment. His willingness to push boundaries and take risks has left a lasting impact on the industry. As a pioneer in sketch comedy, he continues to be an inspiration to aspiring comedians and actors.
Sources:
Various interviews with Keenen Ivory Wayans
Articles and reviews of his work
Biographical information from reputable sources
Quotes by Keenen Ivory Wayans
We've seen so many films now, that you have to be on par with the best films that have preceded you. You just can't make any movie and it will be good.
You just can’t make any movie and it will be good now. This is a really a difficult time to be in films.
Great art is not instant. It comes from experience, it comes from a place within. If you’re trying to generate material, then you’re going to generate stuff. It’s not going to be great, it’s just going to be stuff.
I prefer the smaller budget versus the bigger budget because the mentality that goes along with big budget filmmaking doesn’t really suit me; the mind-set that money is the answer.
I think that if you, as a comedian, are trying to be in people’s face, then you’ve got to come up with new stuff every year. We’re in a mass consumption phase where people take things for granted and want things to be instant when these are not things that can be instant.
I go through a whole process with the actors first, building and creating characters, then I encourage them to sort of live in that character when they’re in the screen.
A comedian, or any artist, needs their time to develop what they are doing. There has to be some respect for the art form and when it’s allowed to be seen.
I’m not on all the time. I like to have fun and be funny, but I’m much more of a thinker.