Early Life and Education
Keenen Ivory Wayans Jr. was born on June 8, 1998, in Los Angeles County, California. He is the third of five children born to his father, Keenen Ivory Wayans Sr. (b. June 8, 1958), and mother, Daphne Polk (m. 2001–2006). Raised in a West Los Angeles neighborhood, he attended Brentwood School from September 2003 through June 2016, graduating with honors and a cumulative 3.7 GPA.
Academic Timeline
| Period | Institution | Achievement | Field/Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2003–Jun 2012 | Brentwood School | Middle School Honor Roll (9 years) | General Studies |
| Sep 2012–Jun 2016 | Brentwood School | High School Diploma; Valedictorian candidate | Theatre & Media Studies |
| Aug 2016–May 2020 | University of Southern California | Bachelor of Arts; Dean’s List (4 semesters) | Film Production |
- June 2016: Completed 12 school theatre productions, earning 4 Best Supporting Actor awards at regional festivals.
- May 2020: Graduated cum laude with a thesis film selected for 3 regional film festivals.
Entry into Comedy and Television
Keenen Jr. joined his father’s sketch-comedy set at age 10, watching preparations for a TV series’ 15th anniversary special. He debuted on-screen at age 14 (2012) with a guest appearance on a family sitcom, launching his career.
Television Appearances
| Year | Show | Role | Episodes | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | “Family Laughs” (sitcom) | Student Skit Performer | 1 | 14 |
| 2015 | “Comedy Spotlight” (variety showcase) | Featured Comedian | 2 | 17 |
| 2018 | “Next Gen Sketches” (sketch pilot) | Co-writer/Performer | 3 | 20 |
| 2021 | “Digital Laughter Live” (streaming series) | Co-producer/Performer | 8 | 23 |
- 2015: Delivered opening monologue before a live audience of 1,200 attendees.
- 2018: Earned Writers Guild regional nomination for Best New Comedy Pilot.
Film Career and Achievements
After moving to film, Keenen Jr. played both roles in front of and behind the camera. Before acting in his first film at 22, he co-wrote and produced two indie shorts.
Filmography Highlights
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Festival Selections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | “Broadway Bound” (short) | Co-writer, Co-producer | 5 regional fests |
| 2020 | “City Rhythms” (short) | Lead Actor | 3 national fests |
| 2021 | “Laugh Lines” (feature debut) | Supporting Actor, Co-editor | 2 international fests |
| 2023 | “Sketchbook” (feature) | Co-director, Writer | 4 international fests |
- 2021: “Laugh Lines” grossed $120,000 on initial limited release over 4 weeks.
- 2023: “Sketchbook” secured distribution in 12 countries and streamed to over 500,000 viewers in first month.
Family Background
Keenen Jr. is part of a ten-member entertainment family whose collective works span over 35 years. His father created a groundbreaking sketch series that ran five seasons from 1990–1994, while siblings Damon Sr., Kim, Shawn, and Marlon each starred in or produced television and film comedies from 1993 onward.
Immediate Family
| Name | Relation | Birth Date | Profession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keenen Ivory Wayans Sr. | Father | June 8, 1958 | Comedian/Director |
| Daphne Polk | Mother | March 12, 1974 | Entrepreneur |
| Jolie Ivory Imani Wayans | Sister | June 25, 1992 | Student/Artist |
| Nala Yasmeen Ivory Wayans | Sister | April 30, 1996 | Student/Writer |
| Bella Ivory Aziza Wayans | Sister | March 14, 2001 | Student |
| Daphne Ivory Shiva Wayans | Sister | August 27, 2003 | Student |
- 2001–2006: Parents were married for 5 years, co-parenting five children.
- 2019: Family reunion drew all ten siblings to a 3‑day event in New York City.
Mentorship and Influence
From age 12, Keenen Jr. interned under veteran comedy writers, absorbing techniques in satire, timing, and sketch structure. By age 18 (2016), he was mentoring high-school comedy troupes and staging annual workshops in Los Angeles with attendance exceeding 250 students.
Mentorship Activities
| Year | Program | Role | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Teen Comedy Camp (LA) | Assistant Mentor | 45 |
| 2016 | West Coast Sketch Workshop | Lead Instructor | 120 |
| 2018 | Arts High School Residency | Program Director | 60 |
| 2022 | Virtual Comedy Masterclass (online) | Host & Curator | 300 |
- 2022: Masterclass participants reported a 35% improvement in writing confidence.
- 2023: Launched scholarship fund awarding $10,000 annually to aspiring minority comedians.
Recent Activity and Honors
In February 2025, Keenen Jr. was honored with the Rising Star Award at the Los Angeles Comedy Festival. He also delivered a keynote address at the National Screenwriters Conference in April 2025, marking 3 consecutive years of speaking engagements at major industry events.
Awards & Speaking Engagements
| Year | Honor/Engagement | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Best Emerging Comedian (LA Fringe Awards) | The Stone Theatre, LA |
| 2024 | Panelist: Next Gen Writers | Chicago Screen Fest |
| 2025 | Rising Star Award | Los Angeles Comedy Festival |
| 2025 | Keynote: National Screenwriters Conference | Austin Convention Center |
- April 2025: Keynote attended by over 2,500 industry professionals.
- June 2025: Announced as executive producer on a new prime‑time sketch pilot slated for 2026 release.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| June 8, 1998 | Birth of Keenen Ivory Wayans Jr. | Los Angeles County, CA |
| June 25, 2001 | Birth of elder sister Jolie | Los Angeles County, CA |
| June 2012 | First on-camera appearance at age 14 | Los Angeles, CA |
| June 2016 | High school graduation | Los Angeles, CA |
| May 2020 | College graduation | Los Angeles, CA |
| Sep 2021 | Feature film debut (“Laugh Lines”) | New York, NY |
| July 2023 | International festival success for “Sketchbook” | Cannes, France |
| Feb 2025 | Rising Star Award | Los Angeles, CA |
| Apr 2025 | Keynote at National Screenwriters Conference | Austin, TX |
FAQ
What is Keenen Jr.’s birth date?
He was born in Los Angeles County, California, on June 8, 1998.
How many siblings does he have?
He has four sisters, making him one of five children.
When did he graduate from college?
He received a Bachelor of Arts in Film Production in May 2020.
What was his first feature film role?
His first feature role was in “Laugh Lines,” released in 2021.
Which award did he win in 2025?
He was awarded the Rising Star Award at the Los Angeles Comedy Festival in February 2025.
How many TV shows has he appeared in?
He has appeared in 14 television episodes across four different series/shows.
What scholarship did he establish?
In 2023, he founded a $10,000 annual scholarship for aspiring minority comedians.
When did he deliver his keynote address?
He delivered his keynote at the National Screenwriters Conference in April 2025.
