The Next Generation: 4 Surprising Facts About Damon Wayans' Kids In 2025
The Wayans name is synonymous with comedy royalty, but the legacy of legendary actor and comedian Damon Wayans Sr. extends far beyond his own iconic roles in *In Living Color* and *My Wife and Kids*. As of late 2025, the focus is shifting to his four adult children—Damon Wayans Jr., Michael Wayans, Cara Mia Wayans, and Kyla Wayans—who are forging their own distinct paths in Hollywood and beyond, with one even stepping away from the spotlight entirely. Their careers range from starring in hit 2025 network sitcoms to working behind the scenes as composers and writers, proving that the family's creative DNA is as strong as ever.
The latest and most compelling update on the Wayans' next generation is the collaboration between Damon Sr. and his eldest son, Damon Wayans Jr., on the CBS sitcom *Poppa's House*, which aired its first season from late 2024 into early 2025. This project highlights the seamless transition of the family's comedic torch, but it’s the quieter careers of his three younger children that truly capture the curiosity of fans, revealing a family committed to creative diversity.
Damon Wayans' Children: A Complete Biography and Family Profile
Damon Wayans Sr. shares his four children with his ex-wife, Lisa Thorner. The couple was married from 1984 to 2000, and their children represent the third generation of the Wayans comedy dynasty, following in the footsteps of their father and their famous uncles and aunt, including Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, and Kim Wayans. The entire family was recently honored with an induction into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame in February 2025, solidifying their collective impact on entertainment.
- Damon Wayans Jr. (Son)
- Full Name: Damon Kyle Wayans Jr.
- Born: November 18, 1982
- Age in 2025: 42
- Mother: Lisa Thorner
- Career Highlights: Actor, Comedian, Writer, Producer. Known for roles as Brad Williams in *Happy Endings* and Coach in *New Girl*. Most recently starred alongside his father in the 2024-2025 CBS sitcom *Poppa's House*.
- Family: Married to Samara Saraiva. He is a father to multiple children, including daughters Amara Wayans and Aniya Wayans, making Damon Sr. a proud grandfather.
- Michael Wayans (Son)
- Full Name: Michael Richard Wayans
- Born: March 28, 1985
- Age in 2025: 40
- Mother: Lisa Thorner
- Career Highlights: Actor, Composer, Writer. Known for his work behind the scenes and for his early acting debut as Young Kevin in his father's 1994 film *Blank Man*. He also appeared in *My Wife and Kids*.
- Cara Mia Wayans (Daughter)
- Full Name: Cara Mia Dianne Wayans
- Born: April 18, 1987
- Age in 2025: 38
- Mother: Lisa Thorner
- Career Highlights: Actress, Writer, Producer. She has appeared in her father's work, including the 2009 film *Dance Flick* and the TV series *My Wife and Kids*. She often works on the writing and development side of projects.
- Kyla Wayans (Daughter)
- Full Name: Kyla Wayans
- Born: 1991 (Exact date kept private)
- Age in 2025: 34
- Mother: Lisa Thorner
- Career Highlights: Limited acting credits, including a role as Nicole in an episode of *My Wife and Kids*. She has largely chosen a private life away from the public eye.
The Rise of Damon Wayans Jr.: The Heir to the Comedy Throne in 2025
While all four children carry the Wayans name, Damon Wayans Jr. has solidified his place as the most prominent face of the family's third generation. His career trajectory is a masterclass in building a unique identity while honoring a famous lineage. After breakout roles in the critically acclaimed sitcom *Happy Endings* and the enduringly popular *New Girl*, Damon Jr. made a major return to network television in the 2024-2025 season.
The highlight of his recent work is the CBS sitcom *Poppa's House*, where he starred opposite his father. The show, which premiered in late 2024, centers on Damon Sr. as a legendary, but old-school, radio host whose life and work are constantly challenged by his modern, successful son, played by Damon Jr. The series, which ran until April 2025, was a significant milestone, marking the first time the father-son duo starred as series regulars together.
This collaboration is more than just a family project; it is a direct continuation of the Wayans' tradition of creating their own content. The show provided fresh, current comedy, often featuring guest stars like Lamorne Morris, who reunited with Damon Jr. after their time on *New Girl*. Damon Wayans Jr. has successfully transitioned from being "Damon Wayans' son" to a respected comedic lead, writer, and producer in his own right, also serving as an executive producer on *Poppa's House*.
Michael and Cara Mia: The Quiet Architects of the Wayans Legacy
Unlike their older brother, Michael Wayans and Cara Mia Wayans have largely chosen to work behind the camera or in less public-facing roles, a path that often goes unnoticed but is crucial to the family's overall creative output. Michael, who turned 40 in 2025, is a talented composer and writer. While he has a few acting credits, including a memorable appearance in *Blank Man* and *My Wife and Kids*, his primary focus has been on the technical and creative development side of entertainment.
Similarly, Cara Mia Wayans, who celebrated her 38th birthday in 2025, is credited as an actress, writer, and producer. The Wayans family often works together, and both Michael and Cara Mia are frequently involved in the development room for various family projects. Their work is a testament to the fact that the Wayans dynasty is not just about the performers on stage, but the entire creative team that makes the magic happen. The Wayans family's recent induction into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame in 2025 was a recognition of this collective, multi-generational effort.
Cara Mia is known for her roles in *The Underground* and *Dance Flick*, but her true influence lies in the development and writing stages. This preference for behind-the-scenes work aligns with a growing trend among the younger Wayans generation, who are leveraging their family's experience to become powerful content creators and showrunners.
What Happened to Kyla Wayans? The Most Private Wayans Sibling
Kyla Wayans, the youngest of Damon Wayans' children, remains the most enigmatic figure, a stark contrast to her highly public family. Born in 1991, Kyla is 34 years old in 2025, and she has intentionally carved out a life that is largely private and away from the demands of Hollywood.
Kyla's only well-known acting credit is an appearance as Nicole in an episode of her father's show, *My Wife and Kids*, early in her life. Since then, she has made the conscious decision to avoid the intense scrutiny that comes with the Wayans name. While there are a few online rumors and confusions—such as conflating her with a radio host named 'Kayla Morgan'—reliable, recent information confirms that Kyla's current career path is a personal one, likely outside of the traditional acting and comedy circuits of her family.
Her choice to maintain a low profile is a fascinating aspect of the Wayans family story, demonstrating that not every member of a comedy dynasty is destined for the main stage. Kyla’s privacy is respected by her family, and her decision highlights the diversity of paths available to the children of Hollywood legends.
The Wayans Grandchildren: Damon Sr.'s New Role as Grandfather
The Wayans legacy is now extending into the fourth generation, with Damon Wayans Sr. officially embracing the role of grandfather. His eldest son, Damon Wayans Jr., has several children, including daughters Amara and Aniya, whom he shares with his ex-partner Aja Metoyer. Damon Jr. is also a father to other children with his wife, Samara Saraiva.
This new generation of Wayans children is growing up with the benefit of the family's established status, ensuring that the comedy dynasty will continue to influence entertainment for decades to come. As the family continues to produce fresh content, from Damon Jr.'s work on *Poppa's House* to the family's overall recognition at the NAACP Image Awards in 2025, the Wayans name remains a powerful force in Hollywood.
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