Damon Wayans’ 4 Kids (and Costars!): All About Damon Wayans Jr., Michael, Cara and Kyla

Damon Wayans is more than just a comedy icon — he’s also the proud father of four children: Damon Jr., Michael, Cara Mia and Kyla.

Wayans shares his kids with his ex-wife, Lisa Thorner, whom he was married to from 1984 until their divorce in 2000. Together, they’ve raised quite the talented brood, with many of their children following their actor father into the world of entertainment.

Eldest son, Damon Jr., born in 1982, has made a name for himself as an actor and comedian, starring in hit TV shows like New Girl and Happy Endings. He’s also worked alongside his father in the CBS sitcom, Poppa’s House, where they play a father-son duo. On working with his father, Damon Jr. told  Entertainment Tonight in May 2024, “when we make each other laugh, then it’s infectious.”

His younger brother, Michael, born in 1985, has taken a more behind-the-scenes role in Hollywood but has also appeared on his father’s show My Wife and Kids. Cara, born in 1987, has explored acting (alongside her brother), writing and producing. Damon and Lisa’s youngest, Kyla, born in 1991, has kept her life more private but still has some acting credits to her name.

From their acting gigs to other endeavors, here’s everything to know about Damon Wayans’ four children: Damon Jr., Michael, Cara and Kyla.

Damon Wayans Jr., 41

Damon and Lisa welcomed Damon Jr. on Nov. 18, 1982 in Vermont.

He was raised in Los Angeles where he was immersed in the entertainment industry from a young age. Damon Jr. made his acting debut at the age of 11, playing the role of young Kevin in his father’s 1994 film Blank Man.

Damon Jr. attended Otis School of Art and Design, but his path eventually led him to follow in his father’s comedic footsteps.

“I actually wanted to be an animator,” he explained on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in October 2018. “Then I found out how much they got paid, and I was like, ‘Uh huh, never mind. What are you doing, Dad?’ ” he joked.

He braved the world of stand-up comedy in 2005 under the pseudonym Kyle Green. Damon Jr. told Stephen Colbert in 2018 that he “wrote first, then I started doing stand-up, then I started doing acting.”

Of his pseudonym he added that he, “just wanted an unassuming name. I did my middle name, which is Kyle, and then my grandma’s maiden name, which is Green.”

His writing career began for TV in 2003, per IMDB, for his father’s hit show My Wife and Kids.

Damon and Lisa welcomed their second son Michael on March 28, 1985.

His early exposure to Hollywood came through family projects, making his first appearance in his father’s 1994 film Blankman at just 9 years old.

Michael’s acting career has largely involved working alongside his famous family — he appeared in his dad Damon’s sitcom My Wife and Kids and a supporting role in Dance Flick alongside his family. While Michael has not pursued acting in the same manner as some of his other family members, he has focused on other areas of entertainment. Per IMDB, he is credited as a composer of the theme music for the 2006 TV show The Underground, and while his Instagram account is private, it states: “I write scripts.”

Michael is in a long-term relationship with actress and TV personality Vanessa Simmons, the daughter of hip-hop legend Rev Run of Run DMC fame. The couple share a daughter, Ava Marie Wayans, who was born in 2014.

“Dealing with a 3-year-old is very challenging, but I think eventually yes [we will have more kids] after Mike and I tie the knot,” Simmons told Entertainment Tonight in 2017.

Michael’s Dad Damon has posted baby Ava on his Instagram account, showing fans how proud he is to be a grandfather. “Had the sweetest little visitor this weekend! have I mentioned how much I LOVE being a grandfather!?! 😍 now BACK TO THE GRIND… ,” he said in the photo, which he posted in 2016.

Though he tends to keep a low profile, Michael is occasionally spotted at red carpet events with his family.

Cara Wayans, 37

Damon and Lisa welcomed their daughter, Cara Wayans, on April 18, 1987.

Growing up surrounded by comedy legends, Cara naturally gravitated towards acting. She made her first appearance alongside her father in the 1994 film Blankman and later followed up with roles in Dance Flick and My Wife and Kids.

In addition to her acting career, Cara made an appearance in Will Smith’s music video for his 1997 track, “Just the Two of Us,” alongside her father, Damon. The sweet music video highlighted the bond between fathers and their children.

Although she has maintained a lower profile as she’s grown up, Cara has made some notable strides creatively and enjoys art and painting, as showcased on her Instagram. She’s also been known to praise her brother, Damon Jr. on her social media.

For his birthday in 2018, Cara shared a red carpet photo of her brother with the caption, “I know— he is gorgeous! But he’s also KIND, LOVING, RELIABLE, GENUINE, HILARIOUS, GENEROUS, & my Favorite Oldest Brother! S/O to my parents for making this guy first. Life wouldn’t be the same without Our Damolian.”

It also appears that Cara is a mother to two children with her partner, as she has shared photos of both kids on her Instagram.

In February, 2022, she posted an adorable video on Instagram of dad Damon singing and dancing with what appeared to be one of her kids on his lap.

“This gives me all the feels🥰🥰,” she captioned the cute clip.

Kyla Wayans, 33

Kyla is the youngest daughter of Damon and Lisa, and has largely stayed out of the public eye compared to her older siblings.

Born in 1991, Kyla explored acting early on, guest-starring in My Wife and Kids like the rest of her siblings. She appeared, per IMDB, in the 2001 episode, “The Truth Hurts.”

Kyla posts occasional selfies and photographs of herself in stylish looks on what appears to be her public Instagram account.