Marlon Wayans recently opened up about the surprising decision his family made to leave In Living Color, the hit sketch comedy show that launched the careers of numerous stars in the early 1990s. Created by his brother Keenen Ivory Wayans, the show premiered on Fox in 1990 and ran for five seasons, becoming a cultural phenomenon.
In a candid interview on the Club Shay Shay podcast on Sept. 4, Marlon, 52, revealed that his family left the show after its fourth season due to financial issues affecting Keenen, who was both the creator and a key figure in the series.
“I remember when we left In Living Color because Fox was syndicating the show, and it was hurting Keenen’s pockets,” Marlon shared. “Keenen was like, ‘Nah, you ain’t gonna do this to me.’ My family said, ‘Forget the money,’ and we all walked away.”
The Wayans family had a significant presence on the show, with Marlon, Keenen, Damon Wayans, Kim Wayans, and Shawn Wayans all contributing to its success. Despite the large paychecks being offered to stay on, they chose to stand in solidarity with Keenen, leaving the show behind.
In a striking moment of protest during the 1992 Christmas episode “Driving Miss Schott,” Marlon and his siblings wore black sunglasses while Jamie Foxx sang This Christmas, symbolizing their dissatisfaction with the situation.
“You’re not going to mess with my brother,” Marlon recalled. “We’re a family. You touch one, you touch all.”
Marlon also explained that, despite their departure, Fox tried to keep the show going in its final season. However, without the Wayans family at the helm, the fifth season struggled. “That’s why season five got weird,” he said. “God bless Chris Rock—he’s brilliant—but he came in at the wrong time. As great as he is, he couldn’t save it because the heart of the show was gone.”
After leaving In Living Color, Marlon found himself facing financial difficulties, with just “$700 in the bank and $900 worth of bills.” That tough reality pushed him to work on a new project, The Wayans Bros., which aired from 1995 to 1999 and became another success for the family.
While In Living Color paved the way for major stars like Jennifer Lopez, Jim Carrey, and Jamie Foxx, the show’s legacy as a Wayans family endeavor remains a key part of its history. Their decision to walk away, driven by family loyalty over money, continues to resonate as a powerful example of their bond.