- Name: Diedre Wayans
- Date of birth: 1959
- Age: 65
- Place of birth: New York City, USA
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: African-American
- Parents: Elvira Althea Wayan (Mother), Howell Stouten Wayans (Father)
- Marital status: Married
- Spouse: Mr. Benson
- Siblings: (9) Dwayne Wayans (Brother), Keenen Ivory Wayans (Brother), Damon Wayans (Brother), Kim Wayans (Sister), Elvira Wayans (Sister), Nadia Wayans (Sister), Devonne “Vonnie” Wayans (Sister), Shawn Wayans (Brother), Marlon Wayans (Brother)
- Children: (5) Craig Mikel Wayans-Benson (Son), Gregg Wayans-Benson (Son), Summer Wayans-Benson (Daughter), Justin Wayans-Benson (Son), Jamal Wayans-Benson (Son)
- Occupation: Screenwriter and producer
- Net worth: $1 million
- Diedre Wayans Instagram: @wayansgirl
- Twitter: @wayansgirl
- Facebook: DiedreWayans
Diedre Wayans is a screenwriter and producer but most importantly, she is a member of the famous Wayans family. One of the most prominent and notable families in American show business is the Wayans family. The family is renowned for being rich with entertainers ranging from the more on-screen members of the family such as the actors to the more behind-the-scenes family members such as the producers, directors, and screenwriters. Whatever aspect of the film industry that one can think about has a Wayans family member in the middle of it.
Today we take a look at one of the behind-the-scenes acts of the Wayans family in the person of Diedre Wayans. She is a notable screenwriter who has worked on a lot of her brothers’ projects, including but not limited to In Living Color and My Wife and Kids. Let’s take explore the life and career of Diedre Wayans and in the process take a cursory glance at other members of the famous Wayans family.
Diedre Wayans was born in the 1950s
Diedre Wayans’ exact date of birth is not known other than the fact that she was born in 1959 in New York City. She is an American citizen and comes from the African-American ethnic group. Diedre is one of ten children born to couple Howell Stouten Wayans and Elvira Althea Wayans and she is also the third child of the family.
Her father, Howell, was a supermarket manager while her mother, Elvira, was a well-known social worker in her heydays before retiring as a homemaker. Diedre grew up with her nine siblings in the suburbs of New York City. It was there that she had her formal education, although the finer details such as schools attended are currently not available. It probably is not something that regularly comes up for conversation, given that she is not as famous as some of her siblings.
Diedre Wayans is also in the movie business
Much like almost every member of the Wayans family, Diedre has also chosen the path of movie-making. She has however chosen to have her impact felt from behind the cameras where she works primarily as a screenwriter, even though she sometimes tries her hand at production. Her work may not be as glamorous when compared to the work done by some of her siblings, it is no less important and she regularly gives her best, especially when her talents are required on some of her siblings’ projects.
Her most notable work remains lending her writing and acting skills to the famous TV show titled My Wife & Kids primarily alongside her sister, Elvira Wayans. Her career as a screenwriter didn’t exactly take off like those of her more illustrious siblings but she has done well for herself.
Diedre Wayans is a millionaire
That’s right. Maybe not in the same capacity as some of her siblings and nephews but Diedre can most certainly hold her head up amongst some of the highest-paid screenwriters in Hollywood. The screenwriter/movie producer is worth an estimated $1 million which is definitely a lot of money. In stark contrast, however, the Wayans family business empire is worth a whooping estimated $180 million. Eye-watering, right? We think so too.
Diedre Wayans has 9 siblings
As previously mentioned, Diedre comes from a rather large family where she is only the third of 10 children from the same parents. Ordinarily, it might be a tricky prospect to keep track of so many members of the same family, such as the Wayans, but the fact that practically every member of this family is somehow involved in show business, sort of makes it easier to say one or two things about the members of Diedre Wayans’s family, beginning from her parents to the youngest member of the family.
Meet the Wayans
The Wayans family is a large one with a plethora of talented people as members. Let’s get to know them and what they do for a living.
Howell Stouten Wayans
The one who, in every sense of the word, got the ball rolling. Howell Stouten Wayans is the patriarch of the famous Wayans family. Howell was born on August 26, 1936, to Paul Otto Wayans and Lillian Victoria Howell. He worked as a supermarket manager to provide for his family of 12, including himself, his wife, and his ten children. It could be argued that being a Jehovah’s witness and the strict way he brought up his children, who were not allowed to socialize properly with other neighborhood kids and who had to find entertainment some other way, played a huge role in shaping the Wayans family into the famous entertainment family that it is today.
Elvira Althea Wayans
Elvira Althea Wayans was born Elvira Althea Green on July 23, 1938, to Ivory Garrett Green and Elvira Brown Green. She was raised alongside sisters Moe Green and Muriel Green, who passed on in February 2016. Elvira was part of a singing trio but ultimately sacrificed her musical passion and talents to become the matriarch of the famous Wayans. After she settled down to her responsibilities as a wife and subsequently as a mother, Elvira started working as a social worker before eventually retiring to full motherly duties after the birth of her youngest child.
Dwayne Howell Wayans
Dwayne Howell Wayans was born on July 20, 1956, in New York City, and is the oldest son of Howell Sr. He worked as a screenwriter and film score composer before his retirement. He has a son named Dwayne Wayans Jr., who has taken up the mantle from his father in the family business. Dwayne Jr. is also a composer.
Keenen Ivory Wayans
Born shortly before his big brother’s 2nd birthday celebration, on June 8, 1958. Keenen is another Wayans in the entertainment business. He is a well-known actor, comedian, and film producer. Keenen was the main brain behind the creation and writing of the show In Living Color. He also starred in the show. Keenen Wayans is a known vegetarian. He was married to Daphne Wayans from 2001 to 2006 and they have five children – Nala Yasmeen Ivory Wayans, Jolie Ivory Imani Wayans, Bella Ivory Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans Jr., and Daphne Ivory Shiva Wayans.
Damon Kyle Wayans
Damon is the fourth child of the Wayans family, Diedre’s immediate younger brother. He was born on September 4, 1960. His contribution to Hollywood includes the fact that he is an actor, comedian, producer and writer. He is the Wayans’s brother who starred as Roger Murtaugh in the TV series titled Lethal Weapon. He is currently divorced from his wife Lisa Thorner with whom he has four children namely Damon Wayans Jr., Michael Wayans, Cara Mia Wayans, and Kyla Wayans.
Kimberly Nichole Wayans
Popularly known as Kim Wayans, she is an American actress who was born on October 16, 1961. Kimberly is Diedre’s first younger sister and the fifth child of the Wayans family. She worked as an editor on the hit TV series My Wife & Kids, which was produced by her brother Damon. As an actress, she has starred in a good number of Wayans family productions, including In Living Color. She is married to Kevin Knotts but there are no records of any children.
Elvira Althea Wayans Jr.
Named after her mother and grandmother, Elvira Wayans was born on January 4th, 1964, and is also a screenwriter who played her part in the development of the My Wife & Kids I project. She currently runs a YouTube channel called Elvers Kitchen, a cooking channel where she periodically shares recipes she developed by herself and some that she got from her mother. Elvira also has two children, a daughter named Chaunte Wayans who is a stand-up comedian, and a son named Damien Dante Wayans.
Nadia Yvette Wayans
Born on January 20, 1965, Nadia prefers to stay out of the spotlight with her only screen appearance coming in the movie I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, which also featured one of her younger brothers.
Devonne “Vonnie” Chaunte Wayans
Similar to her immediate older sister, Devonne doesn’t have too much to do with life as an entertainer. The Wayans sister currently works with Continental Airlines Inc. She also has a daughter named Lauren and a good number of grandchildren.
Shawn Mathis Wayans
The actor, comedian, and movie producer is the second to the last child born to the Wayans family and is also heavily involved in the family business. Born on January 19, 1971, Shawn has made several movies and TV appearances, including his most recognized role as Ray in the movie titled Scary Movie. His diligent work as an actor and producer has helped him amass one of the highest net worths of any Wayans family member to the tune of an estimated $30 million. Shawn was married to Ursula Alberto and they had 3 children namely Laila Wayans, Illia Wayans, and Marlon Wayans, before their divorce.
Marlon Lamont Wayans
Marlon is the youngest Wayans sibling and he too is very much active in Hollywood. Born on July 23, 1972, Marlon has appeared in a sizeable number of projects that featured his family members, including Scary Movie, I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, and his regular collaboration with his brother Shawn on The Wayan Bros. He draws inspiration from his older siblings as he constantly says that he has merely followed their directives and they have paid off spectacularly. In keeping with the seemingly unavoidable divorce culture that the Wayans siblings seem to be perpetrating, Marlon Wayans is also divorced. He and his ex-wife Angelica Zachary had 2 children together namely Shawn Howell Wayans (son) and daughter, Amai Zackary Wayans.
Diedre Wayans is happily married
Diedre Wayans is happily married to Mr. Benson. Not much is known about him, including his first name. However, the couple appears to be happily married despite unverified rumors claiming that they are divorced from each other. Diedre has five children with her husband who is named, in order of their birth, Craig Mikel Wayans-Benson (Son), Gregg Wayans-Benson (Son), Summer Wayans-Benson (Daughter), and twins, Justin Wayans-Benson (Son) and Jamal Wayans-Benson (Son)
Fast facts
Who is the oldest Wayans?
Dwayne Wayans is the oldest of the Wayans siblings. He was born on July 20, 1956. He is primarily a behind-the-scenes influencer for the Wayans family. The 68-year old’s repertoire includes film score composure, production, and screenwriting. His notable works include the soundtrack for movies such as Dance Flick and Little Man.
Who is the youngest Wayans sibling?
The youngest Wayans sibling is Marlon Wayans. He was born on July 23, 1972, and became quite prominent for his roles in Wayans family movie and television projects including, In Living Color and the Scary Movie marathon series. He credits much of his success in the industry to his older siblings who he says paved the way for him.
How many Wayans are there?
Originally, the Wayans family members comprised 12 individuals aside from nephews, nieces, grandchildren and other extended family relatives. The patriarch of the famous family, Howell Stouten Wayans, had 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters, with his wife, Elvira Althea Wayans (nee Green).
Who is the richest Wayans brother?
The Wayans brothers have done well for themselves financially with the figure of their net worth ranging from around $30 to $65 million dollars. However, the richest Wayans brother is Keenan Wayans who is worth an estimated $65 million. This figure undoubtedly comes from the fact that he was basically the first Wayans brother to enter the world of show business and his net worth simply reflects the amount of hard work he has put in and continues to put in.
Are the Wayans brothers Jehovah’s Witnesses?
It is an undisputed fact that the Wayans household was raised under the influence of their father, Howell, who was a strict and practicing Jehovah’s Witness. However, over the years only one of the Wayans brothers, Damon Wayans, seems to be actively practicing the faith.
What is the order of the Wayans family?
The 10 children of the Wayans family appear in the following order from the oldest to the youngest: Dwayne Wayans (1956), Keenen Wayans (1958), Diedre Wayans (1959), Damon Wayans (1960), Kim Wayans (1961), Elvira Wayans (1964), Nadia Wayans (1965), Devonne Wayans (1966), Shawn Wayans (1971) and Marlon Wayans (1972)
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How much are the Wayans brothers worth?
The Wayans family members are one of the richest in Hollywood today with a combined net worth of nearly $300 million. More than half that figure is as a result of the Wayans brothers who have a combined net worth of an estimated $170 million, beginning with Keenan with $65 million, Marlon with $40 million, Damon Wayans Sr. with $35 million, and Shawn bringing up the rear with $30 million.
How is Damon Wayans related to Marlon Wayans?
There are two Damons in the Wayans family at the moment and they are both related to Marlon Wayans. The older Damon, now referred to as Damon Wayans Sr. is Marlon Wayans’ older brother who was born on September 4, 1960. The younger Damon, on the other hand, is known as Damon Wayans Jr. and is the son of Damon Sr., essentially making him Marlon Wayans’ nephew. Damon Jr., who was born on November 18, 1982, is just about 10 years younger than his uncle Marlon.