Wayne Brady is an award-winning American comedian, actor, singer, and television personality, probably best known for his appearance on the hit improvisational comedy series Whose Line Is It Anyway?
He entered the show business while he was still a teenager by performing in community theater before booking small roles in television series. Over the years, he has carved out a niche in the entertainment industry with his sharp wit, versatility, and charming presence. The comedian hosted TV shows such as Fox’s Don’t Forget the Lyrics!, Let’s Make a Deal, and The Wayne Brady Show. Besides all this, Brady has lent his voice to several TV series and films, including The Electric Piper, The Loud House, American Dad!, The Hero of Color City, and Foodfight! His acting credits include recurring roles in Black Lightning and Colony, and he won season 2 of The Masked Singer in 2019. Wayne is a true entertainment powerhouse with a global fan base. So, who is Wayne Brady? Here’s a detailed look at the life and career of this Emmy-winning performer.
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Wayne Brady Biography
Wayne Brady was born on the 2nd of June 1972, in Columbus, Georgia, United States of America. He’s currently 53 years old.
| Birth Name | Wayne Alphonso Brady |
| Nickname | Wayne |
| Date of Birth | June 2, 1972 |
| Place of Birth | Columbus, Georgia, U.S. |
| Age | 53 years old |
| Sun Sign | Gemini |
| Profession | Actor, Singer, TV Personality, Comedian, Producer |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Spouse | Mandie Taketa |
| Children | 1 |
Family Background
He is the son of West Indies parents Wayne Brady and Linda Marie Newton. His mother worked at the Northeast Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, while his father was an ex-serviceman. He moved to the United States at a very young age to live with his grandmother and aunt, who lived in Orlando, Florida. He was raised by his grandmother, and his parents played a limited role in his upbringing.
Education
Brady studied at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando. After graduating from high school in 1989, he attended the University of Miami. He developed an interest in performing arts at a young age and joined the Orlando improv troupe SAK Comedy Lab, which would eventually lead to pursuing a career in the creative industry.
Wayne Brady’s Married Life & Children
Wayne Brady’s first marriage was to Diana Lasso, which lasted from December 31, 1993, to September 21, 1995.
He then married Mandie Taketa, a dancer, on April 3, 1999. The couple welcomed a daughter, Maile Masako Brady, on February 3, 2003. Unfortunately, this marriage also didn’t go well, and they parted ways in 2006, followed by divorce in 2007.
As of August 2023, Wayne publicly came out as pansexual, sharing his truth with fans to inspire authenticity and openness.
Physical Statistics
| Height | Feet – 5 feet 11 inches Centimeters – 180 cm Meters – 1.8 m |
| Weight | Kilograms – 84 kg Pounds – 185 lbs |
| Body Build | Athletic |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Sexuality | Pansexual |
| Shoe Size | Unknown |
| Distinctive Features | Shaved head Deadpan catchphrases Improvisational singing |
Professional Statistics
Television Debut
Wayne made his TV debut in 1990 with a guest role in Superboy. His big break came in 1998 when he joined the British version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? and later became a regular on the American version.
Film Debut
In 2004, Brady debuted with a voice role in the animated movie called Clifford’s Really Big Movie, where he voiced the character named Shackelford.
That same year, he played Mason Wyatt in Disney’s original movie, Going to the Mat.
Broadway Career
In 2004, Wayne took to Broadway, starring as Billy Flynn in Chicago, showcasing his musical and acting prowess on stage.
Music Career
Wayne Brady released his debut studio album entitled “A Long Time Coming” on September 16, 2008, which peaked at #157 on the US Billboard 200. It featured some hit songs, including “Ordinary”, “Can’t Buy Me Love”, “Make Heaven Well”, and “A Change is Gonna Come”.
Significant Works
In 1998, Wayne Brady started performing in the British version of the comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and later that year, he became a regular on the American version of the same show. He won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for his exceptional work on the show in 2003.
Not only did he gain immense popularity with the show, but the success of the show eventually boosted his media career. In 2001, he had his own show, The Wayne Brady Show, and went on to host shows like Don’t Forget the Lyrics!, Let’s Make a Deal and guested on TV shows such as Everybody Hates Chris, Shorty McShorts’ Shorts, Fast and Loose, Psych, The Bold and The Beautiful, Black Lightning and Wayne Brady’s Comedy IQ.
Wayne Brady Net Worth
Thanks to Wayne’s successful career, he has earned an impressive amount of $12 million as net worth, as of 2025. Having begun his career at a young age, it’s quite amusing for Wayne to amass such a huge wealth in his own right.
Social Media Presence
Wayne enjoys a strong digital footprint, connecting with fans via:
Instagram: @mrbradybaby (500K+ followers) Twitter (X): @WayneBrady (370K+ followers) Facebook: Official fan page (300K+ followers)
Wayne Brady Facts
Wayne struggled with stuttering as a child and suffered from clinical depression for a major part of his life.
His early works include playing Tigger at Walt Disney World.
He got his start in show business early in his career, thanks to his mind-blowing improvisation skills that he had showcased in numerous TV shows.
Wayne was named Sak Theatre’s 1992 Rookie of the Year for TheatreSports/Improv.
In 2002, Wayne hosted Miss America, becoming the first African-American host in the pageant show history.
He was the face of Avaya, a telecommunications company, in 2004.
Wayne has won four Daytime Emmy Awards, the first two for The Wayne Brady Show in 2003 and 2004, respectively, the third award for the song “30,000 Reasons to Love Me” in 2014, and the fourth award for his work on the game show Let’s Make a Deal.
He is a dog lover.
In 2022, Brady was partnered with Witney Carson and participated in season 31 of Dancing with the Stars, where he finished in 3rd place.
In August 2023, he revealed that he is pansexual.
He appeared in the American reality television series Wayne Brady: The Family Remix in 2024, which aired on Freedom.