Damon Wayans, Jr. was practically born into the world of comedy. As the son of renowned comedian Damon Wayans and the nephew of Keenen Ivory Wayans—creator of the groundbreaking sketch show In Living Color (Fox, 1990–94) and the Scary Movie (2000) franchise—he grew up surrounded by humor and performance. He also comes from a long line of entertainers, including his cousin, actor Sean Wayans. Following in the family tradition, Damon Wayans, Jr. made his feature film debut in the 2009 parody Dance Flick, which took a hilarious jab at the teen dance movie genre.
But his talents extend beyond acting. Over the years, Damon Wayans, Jr. has also carved out a solid reputation as a television writer and stand-up comedian, continuing the legacy of his famously funny family. While the weight of such a comedic pedigree could have easily overshadowed him, Wayans, Jr. proved he could shine on his own. His breakout role came with the quirky and beloved sitcom Happy Endings (ABC, 2011–13), where his comedic timing and charm showed that, indeed, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to making people laugh.
So, when we take a look at Damon Wayans Jr.’s filmography, it’s pretty clear that one standout in terms of critical acclaim is Big Hero 6 from 2014—that definitely ranks as Damon Wayans Jr.’s highest rated movie. It was a major success both with audiences and critics, bringing together heart, humor, and stunning animation. On the flip side, going through his career, there’s another film that didn’t quite hit the same mark: Marmaduke (2010), which ended up being Damon Wayans Jr.’s lowest rated film. While it had its moments, it just didn’t resonate as strongly. Overall, Damon Wayans Jr. has had a mix of hits and misses, but his involvement in projects like Big Hero 6 really shows his range and appeal.