Parenting can take unexpected turns, and for Marlon Wayans, the journey led him to become one of Hollywood’s most vocal LGBTQ allies. After years of comedy that pushed boundaries, the actor and comedian found himself navigating a deeply personal shift when his child Kai came out as transgender.
Date of birth: July 23, 1972 ·
Children: 2 ·
Known for: Scary Movie, The Wayans Bros, Requiem for a Dream ·
Siblings: 9
Quick snapshot
- Marlon Wayans has two children: Kai (transgender son) and Shawn Howell (People (celebrity news outlet))
- He publicly supported Kai with a Pride Month Instagram post in 2024 (TIME (news magazine))
- He said “You can be a straight man and still love gay people” on Instagram (BET (Black Entertainment Television))
- Whether Marlon Wayans identifies as LGBTQ himself — he has never publicly stated his orientation (People (celebrity news outlet))
- Exact net worth (estimates vary widely) (BET (Black Entertainment Television))
- If he plans to marry his long-term partner (iammecorp.org (fan site))
- Marlon Wayans’ age at the time of his 2024 Pride photoshoot is sometimes reported as 51, but his birth date makes him 52 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Exact timeline of his hypnosis attempt relative to Kai’s coming out (BET (Black Entertainment Television))
- 2024: Wayans shares Pride photoshoot with Kai, says “love and laughter will always drown hate” (TIME (news magazine))
- 2023: Wayans describes Kai as his transgender son on The Breakfast Club (People (celebrity news outlet))
- Wayans continues his Wild Child Tour, which includes material on gay rights (iammecorp.org (fan site))
- He has pledged to defend Kai against transphobic attacks (LGBTQ Nation (LGBTQ news site))
Among the many biographical facts, a few numbers stand out:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marlon Lamont Wayans |
| Date of Birth | July 23, 1972 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)) |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, writer, producer |
| Children | 2: Kai (transgender son) and Shawn Howell (BET (Black Entertainment Television)) |
| Known For | Scary Movie, The Wayans Bros, Requiem for a Dream (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)) |
Is Marlon Wayans pro LGBTQ?
The short answer: emphatically yes. Wayans has used his platform to advocate for LGBTQ rights, particularly since his child Kai came out as transgender.
What year did Marlon come out?
The phrase “come out” is often misapplied here. Wayans has never publicly identified as LGBTQ — he is a straight father who came out as an ally. In November 2023 he told The Breakfast Club: “My daughter Amai is now Kai” (People (celebrity news outlet)). The following June, he posted a Pride-themed photoshoot with the caption “Happy Pride to all my LGBTQ peeps” (BET (Black Entertainment Television)).
What has Marlon said about LGBTQ rights?
Wayans has been blunt. “You can be a straight man and still love gay people,” he told BET (BET (Black Entertainment Television)). In 2024 he admitted he once tried to hypnotize Kai to stop the transition — and later called that a deep regret (BET (Black Entertainment Television)). He described reaching “a beautiful place called acceptance” (BET (Black Entertainment Television)).
Wayans’ evolution from attempted intervention to public advocacy mirrors a broader societal shift. For a mainstream comedian with a massive audience, his stance carries weight — and he’s aware of it.
The implication: Wayans’ journey as a parent reframed his comedy and his public persona. He now uses his platform to normalize acceptance, even when it means apologizing for past mistakes.
What happened to Marlon Wayans?
No major personal health crisis has been reported for Marlon himself. But the Wayans family has faced loss and illness in recent years.
Which one of the Wayans’ families passed away?
Howell Wayans, father of the ten Wayans siblings, died in 2019 at age 86 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)). Marlon has spoken publicly about grieving and the importance of family, though the loss did not slow his comedy work.
What illness does Damon Wayans have?
Damon Wayans, Marlon’s older brother, revealed in 2021 that he has type 2 diabetes (People (celebrity news outlet)). He described symptoms including frequent urination and fatigue, and manages the condition with diet and medication.
The trade-off: While Marlon has been spared major health setbacks, the family’s medical and mortality experiences have shaped his outlook on life, love, and legacy.
How many children does Marlon Wayans have?
Two: a son named Shawn Howell and a transgender son named Kai (People (celebrity news outlet)).
Does Marlon Wayans have a wife?
He is not married. Wayans shares both children with his ex-wife Angelica Zachary, from whom he separated years ago. He keeps details of his current relationship private (BET (Black Entertainment Television)).
What are the names of Marlon Wayans’ children?
Shawn Howell Wayans and Kai Wayans. Marlon has described Kai as “my daughter that transitioned into a son” (People (celebrity news outlet)).
Wayans draws a clear line between his private life and his public advocacy. He shares just enough to humanize the issue without exposing his children to undue scrutiny.
The pattern: Like many parents of transgender children, Wayans learned on the job. His transparency about his early mistakes makes his current advocacy more credible, not less.
Which one of the Wayans’ families passed away?
As noted, father Howell Wayans died in 2019 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)). The loss was a significant moment for the tightly knit comedy dynasty.
When did Howell Wayans die?
Howell Wayans passed away on March 4, 2019 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)). He was 86.
How did the death impact the family?
Marlon has said the death brought the siblings closer. In interviews he often credits his father’s work ethic and humor as foundational to the family’s success.
Why this matters: The Wayans patriarch was a steadying presence behind one of entertainment’s most prolific families. His death marked the end of an era, but the siblings have continued to collaborate.
What illness does Damon Wayans have?
Type 2 diabetes. Damon shared his diagnosis in 2021, noting he ignored early warning signs (People (celebrity news outlet)).
What are the warning signs of type 2 diabetes?
Damon described frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision. The CDC lists those as classic symptoms. Early detection helps prevent complications (CDC (public health agency)).
How is Damon Wayans managing his diabetes?
He follows a strict diet and takes medication. In interviews he says the diagnosis motivated him to prioritize health (People (celebrity news outlet)).
What this means: The Wayans family is dealing with the same chronic health challenges millions face. Damon’s openness helps destigmatize the condition.
Timeline
- July 23, 1972: Marlon Wayans born in New York City. (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- 1995: The Wayans Bros sitcom premieres. (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- 2000: Scary Movie released, becomes a hit. (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- 2019: Father Howell Wayans dies at age 86. (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- 2021: Brother Damon Wayans reveals type 2 diabetes diagnosis. (People (celebrity news outlet))
- 2023: Marlon Wayans describes Kai as his transgender son on The Breakfast Club. (BET (Black Entertainment Television))
- 2024: Wayans shares Pride photoshoot, says “love and laughter will always drown hate”. (TIME (news magazine))
- 2024: He admits trying to hypnotize Kai to stop transition, expresses regret. (BET (Black Entertainment Television))
- 2025: Wayans claps back at transphobic attacks directed at Kai. (iammecorp.org (fan site))
Confirmed facts
- Marlon Wayans has two children (Kai and Shawn). (BET (Black Entertainment Television))
- He is the youngest of ten children. (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Damon Wayans has type 2 diabetes. (People (celebrity news outlet))
- Howell Wayans died in 2019. (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Wayans publicly supports LGBTQ rights on social media. (TIME (news magazine))
What’s unclear
- Whether Marlon Wayans identifies as LGBTQ (no public statement). (People (celebrity news outlet))
- Exact net worth (estimates vary). (BET (Black Entertainment Television))
- If he plans to marry his current long-term partner. (iammecorp.org (fan site))
- Marlon Wayans’ exact age at the time of his 2024 Pride photoshoot (reported as 51 or 52). (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Exact timeline of his hypnosis attempt relative to Kai’s coming out. (BET (Black Entertainment Television))
Quotes on family and acceptance
“Happy Pride to all my LGBTQ peeps.”
— Marlon Wayans, Instagram (BET (Black Entertainment Television))
“You can be a straight man and still love gay people.”
— Marlon Wayans (BET (Black Entertainment Television))
“I ignored the early warning signs – frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision.”
— Damon Wayans, to People (celebrity news outlet)
“I’m going to love my baby regardless of what anybody says.”
— Marlon Wayans (LGBTQ Nation (LGBTQ news site))
Marlon Wayans’ path from comedy icon to outspoken ally shows how personal experience can reshape a public figure’s mission. For him, the choice is clear: unconditional love for his child, even when it means confronting his own past mistakes and facing online backlash. Marlon Wayans shows that acceptance isn’t a performance, it’s a practice.
Marlon Wayans continues to expand his career into new genres, with his recent horror film HIM offering a stark contrast to his comedic roots.
Frequently asked questions
What is Marlon Wayans’ real name?
Marlon Lamont Wayans (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
How old is Marlon Wayans?
Born July 23, 1972, he is 52 as of 2025 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
Is Marlon Wayans still acting?
Yes. He continues to act and tour with his stand-up comedy (BET (Black Entertainment Television)).
Does Marlon Wayans have a podcast?
Not currently. He occasionally appears on podcasts such as The Breakfast Club (People (celebrity news outlet)).
What is Marlon Wayans’ Instagram handle?
@marlonwayans (official, verified).
How did Marlon Wayans start his career?
He began as a writer for In Living Color before co-creating The Wayans Bros (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
What is Marlon Wayans’ relationship status?
He is not married. He has a long-term partner but keeps details private (BET (Black Entertainment Television)).
Related reading: Grace Jones: LGBTQ Icon, Bond Villain, and Feuds · Danielle Brooks: Biography, Career Highlights, and Awards
Related stories
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.