I am Actor/Comedian/Writer Marlon Wayans. Ask Me Anything!

Hello Marlon, I'm a big fan of yours from Mexico; I like all your comedies, yet I was impressed by your acting on Requiem for a Dream, do you have any upcoming projects like that one?

Not in the works! Next up, I'm working on my pilot "Marlon" on NBC. It's basically based on my life as an inappropriate dad.

How shiny is Damon's head in person?

I have to wear sunglasses around him.

How does a menace in south central get access to a soviet nuke?

Also, do we have a problem?

Cause he's Loc Dogg, he knows people in high places. He used to hang out with El Chapo.

hi Marlon!

I've heard that you originally shot the cold open Exorcist parody from Scary Movie 2 with Marlon Brando in the priest role instead of James Woods. It had to have been memorable working with a figure like Brando. Could you talk a little about that experience?

He was a great guy. He had pneumonia at the time. We decided his health was more important than him doing the movie. We didn't want to be responsible for killing The Godfather. So we let him go rest.

What was Terry Crews like to work with ?

He was actually really cool. A lot of fun, a nice guy. He's like a big buff teddy bear.

Hello Marlon,

1) What's your favorite TV show?

2) Have you ever been into the sex shit that you're parodying in your new flick? (Which, I can't wait for!!)

Favorite TV show is...The Walking Dead! That's my shit! In terms of the kinky stuff that's my bidness...

Sup Marlon, quick question: When an actor has to cut down or bulk up for a new movie, is the studio paying for all the food, supplements and personal training lessons? I read about all those ridiculously intensive workout regiments and always wondered about that. Thanks!

In some cases, yes. But most cases, nah. But if you want to look good, be your best - you pay for it yourself. There is no studio when I do movies usually so I had to do it myself.

Looking back on your career, one movie that Reddit loves to discuss is Requiem for a Dream. Your performance of Tyrone was outstanding, was it a difficult role to play the part of a junkie?

Yes very difficult but easy at the same time. I'm theatrically trained in the dramatic arts, I just choose comedy.

Whats your favorite memory from the Wayans bros show?

It was 20 years ago, I don't remember anything! Nah...just going to work with my brother and working every week with him and the crew. Every day, we just had a great time. Especially working with Pop.

Keenen Ivory Wayans was a big player in the indie films during the 80s with I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. You think he gets his due?

Umm....no.

But my brother is funny, he's so busy working he doesn't care about getting his due. I think he's severely under appreciated but one day.

Take us back to In Living Color days...What was your favorite sketch? Did you feel like the show was gonna be successful when you started?

I would say all the Homey the Clown sketches. All of them.

Sorry that it's not related to your work, but what are you afraid of?

Death. Life is so fun the thought of not living sucks.

Marlon, first I want to say thanks -- you and your family have brought me so many laughs!

Are you and your brothers and sister ever going to reunite one more time? One of your hilarious movies, or a tv special?

I don't know, I would love that. It's hard to tell - I have to ask of them but I'm always down.

Hey Mr. Wayans. If you had to choose which member of your family is the funniest?

Our mother!

Hi Marlon,

I’m a big fan thanks for doing this AMA! I have three questions:

1. Would you ever do a sequel to “Don’t Be a Menace to South Central?”

2. Why did you and Shawn walk away from the “Scary Movie” franchise? The movies sucked after you and Shawn weren’t in them anymore.

3. Are you a fan of the HBO series “Game of Thrones” and if so who’s your favorite character?

Thanks Marlon!

First, I don't know about a DBAM2 but I think Loc Dogg's braids would have fell out by now but I'd like to revisit that character.

SM: We didn't walk away, it was stripped from us and we let it go. And I agree they do suck!

GOT: I'm not familiar with it, I've seen it a couple times. My favorite character is the little guy.

Hi Mr. Wayans, what is the best thing a director can do for you on set? :~)

Help me to make solid emotional choices in scenes. Make me feel comfortable to express and explore. From my emotions to my jokes.

Your family's appearance in Oprah's was my absolute favourite of the show. My question is, considering Hollywoods love of sequels, can we see white chicks 2?

Umm, that may possibly happen. We're definitely talking about it.

Who/what inspired you to get in comedy?

I'm a good living room comedian (my mom says so) and I love to make people laugh because it feels like I'm being heard for once.

I think Richard Pryor, my brother Damon and Eddie Murphy. But really when I was going up for the role of Richard Pryor, I used him as inspiration, obviously.

1.) What are some of your favorite comedy movies? (besides your own)

2.) Will you ever work with Netflix?

Yes they're a real studio and real distributor. I would love to work with Netflix.

As for movies, Liar Liar, Coming To America, Beverly Hills Cop, The Nutty Professor, Hollywood Shuffle, Airplane, Groundhog's Day and I'm Gonna Get You Sucka.

What did you do to prepare to play the role of Shorty in Scary Movie?

I did everything but smoke weed. I didn't get high myself - I bought my friends weed and watched them. That's how I learned to play him.

You have written a lot of joke-filled movies, with a lot of visual gags. How often do you write something on paper that sounds like a good laugh that you can't make work on set? What happens when you can't save it?

Often, sometimes - its not cause you write that it will work. Sometimes its a stunt or a gag or a performer that can't get done. Practical effects sometime hampers it. Sometimes you have to punt, but you can't be married to jokes.

How about working with Tom Hanks? Must have been fun to see him exercising his comedy chops for the first time in awhile?

Tom is masterful.

Just as an actor, I learned a lot by watching him and he's also one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet.

Any funny Robert Townsend stories to share?

We've known Robert since we were kids. He brought me onstage when I was 11 at the Improv to perform. He brought us up, me Shawn and Craig and my nephew Damien.

Howdy! I am a finishing my teaching degree in English, and I am currently building my classroom library. What books do you think should be part of my classroom library? I will make your answer and bio available to my future students. Thanks!

The Alchemist, Seven Habits Of Highly Successful People, Outliers and The Tipping Point by Gladwell, and Good To Great. They're all business books, but every art has a math and business. But they teach you about the basics of success. They apply to life and anything you're pursuing and they'll have relevance.

What is it like working with the Coen brothers? What was the biggest thing you learned from them?

I loved working with The Coens. They were great guys, nice and mild-mannered. They have a good, fun vibe.

They're a well-oiled machine. I try to take that into my productions; hire the same people and work with the same people. Slowly but surely to become a well-oiled machine.

How many talk shows have you been on the last few weeks plugging the movie? I've seen you on at least 4 or 5 talk shows, including things like The Chew. I've never seen anyone push a movie so hard, not that there's anything wrong with that. I think it's a good idea.

I have clones. I travel with 400. Me and my clones have been doing a great job.

What is it like being a producer?

Being a producer, it's kind of like being undercover boss. You got all the power, but you work along side everyone on the same level and everyone is assisting you and the production to tell these jokes.

The key to being a good producer is not making people work for you, it's having them work with you.

Who was the most underrated actor on In Living Color?

Hmmm

I don't know, I really think everyone was funny on that show. Everybody. They just scored. I guess I can say Jennifer Lopez. Or me and Shawn!

Do you see yourself working with King Bach again on any future projects?

Well, absolutely. A good kid and a funny guy. I enjoyed the experience!

Hi Marlon,

What did you buy with the money you made from White Chicks that might suprise those of us that didn't like the movie?

I bought my kids a home.

What do you feel is lacking in scripts these days to motivate and inspire Americans and the world as a whole to be there best ... not just good...not just great...but to be more than they could dream possible? What resources (like in your home town) is possibly lacking that would assist families in bringing family values back to humanity on a UNIVERSAL level (after school camps)? Also, what is your fondest memory from your upbringing? In advance, thank you so much for your time and effort! Kelly Hannagan-Valore

Shit, I don't know. Are you sure you're asking the right person this question? You may want to holler at the Dalai Lama or Obama.

What was it like working with Stephen Sommers? :~)

Stephen is a great guy. I thought he did a great job with GI Joe. He walked the line perfectly. It was a great movie for kids and a great time. Very pleasant to work with.

What do you think of the idea of "parallel thinking" in stand up?

I don't! I don't even know what parallel thinking is...

Hey Marlon, first off let me say I am a fan of of you and your family's work. Although, as a half negro myself, I have to ask this following question. Do you not see this new movie 'Fifty Shades Of Black' as a detriment to the progress that the negro people have made in this country? I do understand that your brand of comedy is outrageous and a lot of the time centered around race, take for example 'White Chicks', where you play in white-face(yikes). Maybe it was cool in the 90's, but in todays integrated society, I feel this new movie might set us back a couple of years. How do you feel about my point of view?

How about you see the movie? The worst thing in the world is to pre-judge and your thought allows you to have prejudice.

Just cause it has 'black' in the title, it's not always about race. Why is it OK for a white guy to spank a white girl and there's not a lot of discussion about it be degrading.

Its a comedy based on BDSM and a journey of how this character would do it versus the other character. It's very empowering for women, if you see it.

You will have to see it and realize you were prejudging and not truly understanding the premise.

Furthermore, for a black writer/producer and star not to have full support of his people while he makes an independent comedy, it's a shame.