Damon Wayans Overcame a Clubfoot and Became One of Comedy’s Most Legendary Names

The Breakdown: Damon Wayans has revealed that he has a clubfoot. The comedian got real about his condition, which has caused him pain his entire life.

Funnyman Damon Wayans is able to crack jokes about everyone, even himself. The OG of comedy and creator of In Living Color, got candid about a personal struggle he's faced since birth—clubfoot.

Damon’s foot condition was clearly not an issue for him, as he has been a staple in Hollywood since the 1990s. His first venture in the television space was In Living Color, a sketch comedy show featuring Keenen Ivory Wayans, Jim Carrey, David Alan Grier, and a host of other funny folk. The show launched the careers of Jim and Jennifer Lopez, who was a dancer at the time, and it also earned Damon four Emmy nominations for his acting and writing.

Since then, Damon has become a comedy legend – only appearing for events and sitdowns when needed. In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Damon opened up about his clubfoot and his comments left fans stunned.

Damon got real about his lifelong struggle with a clubfoot, in a very Wayans way. Clubfoot, a birth defect where a baby’s foot is twisted out of shape or position, has been a part of Wayans' journey from day one. Despite surgery, the pain remains a daily reality.

“I had operations, but still, it’s like I’m in pain. I just walk around with, like, a toothache in my foot. It’s a constant,” he explained, adding, “You learn to accept things. That’s another thing I practice. I accept everything, and I expect nothing.”

Clubfoot, medically known as congenital talipes equinovarus, affects approximately 1 in every 1,000 births, according to the Cleveland Clinic. While the exact cause remains unknown, factors such as genetics and environmental influences like smoking during pregnancy are believed to play a role. The condition is more prevalent in males and can sometimes be detected through prenatal ultrasounds.​

Damon has since channeled his experiences into his art, creating the animated series Waynehead, which followed a young boy with a clubfoot navigating life's ups and downs. The series aired for one season in 1996 and starred Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, and Kim Wayans as voice actors.

Damon dropped a bombshell during an appearance on Club Shay Shay that got everyone talking. The In Living Color star revealed he once dated his nephew’s ex-girlfriend, a situation he admits made family get-togethers a bit tense. “I was in love with her, that’s the thing,” Damon confessed. Before he pursued the woman, Damon checked in with his nephew – who gave him the green light. “I’m like, you know ‘What’s up?’ and he’s like, ‘That’s you.’ And I’m like, ‘Okay, pass the Courvoisier, let’s go!'"

Damon didn’t shy away from the awkwardness of the situation, joking, “Family gatherings is awkward.” He even made an hilarious comparison to Jermaine Jackson marrying his brother Randy’s ex, saying, “You ain’t never done the Jackson 5?”

As for the nephew in question, Damon didn’t name names, but fans have shared speculation online.