Wayne Brady: The Multi-Talented Star With A Heart

How Much is Wayne Brady Worth?

Let’s talk about Wayne Brady, a guy who’s become a household name in the world of entertainment. With a net worth of $12 million, Wayne Brady has carved out an impressive career as an actor, comedian, singer, and television personality. If you’re familiar with the American version of the improvisational comedy series "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", then you know exactly why Wayne’s such a big deal. He’s not just a regular on the show—he’s also one of its producers. But that’s not all. Wayne also created and starred in "The Wayne Brady Show," a variety show that later transformed into a talk show. It aired on ABC from 2001 to 2004. Even though the show didn’t last forever, Wayne’s charm and relatable personality kept his star shining brightly.

Wayne’s talents don’t stop there. He’s been a guest star on a ton of popular TV shows, including "Chappelle's Show," "Sesame Street," "Stargate SG-1," and "30 Rock." He even played a memorable role as James Stinson, the half-brother of Neil Patrick Harris's Barney Stinson, on "How I Met Your Mother." Not to mention, he hosted the game show "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" on Fox from 2007 to 2009. Since 2009, Wayne’s been the host of CBS's revival of "Let's Make a Deal." And if you’re into music, you might have heard his albums "A Long Time Coming" and "Radio Wayne." This guy truly does it all!

Wayne Brady’s Early Days

Wayne Brady’s journey started on June 2, 1972, in Columbus, Georgia. Born Wayne Alphonso Brady, he grew up in a unique family situation. His mom, Linda, worked at a hospital, and his dad, Wayne, was an Army drill sergeant. Since his dad was often overseas and his mom was just 17 when he was born, Wayne was sent to live with his paternal grandmother, Valerie, in Orlando, Florida. Valerie, who Wayne calls “Mom,” played a huge role in shaping his life.

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Life wasn’t always easy for Wayne. As a kid, he faced bullying, which led to him developing a stutter due to anxiety. Despite these challenges, he attended Dr. Phillips High School and graduated in 1989. Interestingly, he was friends with Joey Fatone, who later became a member of *NSYNC. Wayne initially thought about joining the military, but at 16, he discovered his love for performing in local theatrical productions. He honed his improvisational skills at the SAK Comedy Lab, setting the stage for his future success. Wayne then attended the University of Miami before moving to Los Angeles in 1996 to chase his dreams.

A Career Full of Highlights

Breaking Into TV and Film

Wayne Brady’s television debut happened way back in 1990 on an episode of "Superboy." Over the years, he guest-starred on shows like "I'll Fly Away" and "In the Heat of the Night." But things really took off when he appeared on "Kwik Witz," an improvised sketch comedy competition, from 1996 to 1999. In 1998, he was featured on the original British version of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" That same year, the American version premiered, and Wayne became a regular on the show, alongside Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles, and Colin Mochrie. His incredible performances earned him three Emmy nominations, and in 2003, he finally won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.

From Broadway to Hosting

During the original run of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", Wayne appeared in films like "Going to the Mat," "Roll Bounce," and "Crossover." He also lent his voice to animated movies such as "Clifford's Really Big Movie" and "Stuart Little 3: Call of the Wild." In addition to his acting roles, Wayne hosted the Miss America pageant in 2002 and played Lazardo V The Magician in the TV movie "Geppetto." In 2001, he launched "The Wayne Brady Show," which started as a variety show and later transformed into a daytime talk show. This show brought him two Daytime Emmy Awards and even tied with "The View" for Outstanding Talk Show in 2003.

Wayne’s talent didn’t stop at TV. He took to the Broadway stage, playing Billy Flynn in "Chicago" in 2004. He returned to Broadway in "Kinky Boots" and "Freestyle Love Supreme," delivering standout performances. He also played Tom Collins in "Rent" at the Hollywood Bowl and Aaron Burr in a Chicago production of "Hamilton." In 2009, Wayne became the host of "Let's Make a Deal," a role that earned him over a dozen Daytime Emmy nominations. He’s also co-hosted the NAACP Image Awards, appeared on improv shows like "Trust Us with Your Life," and voiced Clover the Rabbit on Disney’s "Sofia the First." More recently, he’s had recurring roles on shows like "Colony" and "The Bold and the Beautiful," and he even won "The Masked Singer" in 2019. Talk about a versatile career!

Wayne Brady’s Personal Life

Wayne Brady’s personal life has had its ups and downs. He was first married to Diana Lasso from 1993 to 1995. Then, in 1999, he married dancer Mandie Taketa, and they welcomed a daughter named Maile Masako in 2003. Unfortunately, the marriage ended in divorce in 2008. Wayne has been open about his struggles with clinical depression, revealing that he experienced a mental breakdown on his 42nd birthday. Despite these challenges, Wayne has remained a dedicated supporter of the Ronald McDonald House Charities, serving on their celebrity board for over a decade. In 2020, he was honored as an honorary member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity alongside actor Bill Duke.

Recognition and Awards

Wayne Brady’s hard work and talent haven’t gone unnoticed. In 2003, he took home a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for his work on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" That same year, he won his first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host for "The Wayne Brady Show." Over the years, he’s been nominated for 19 Daytime Emmys, winning awards for Outstanding Talk Show Host in 2004, Outstanding Original Song for "30,000 Reasons to Love Me" in 2014, and Outstanding Game Show Host for "Let's Make a Deal" in 2018. He’s also received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for "A Change is Gonna Come" in 2009. Wayne’s been recognized by the Behind the Voice Actors Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and NAMIC Vision Awards, proving his impact across various platforms.

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Wayne Brady’s Real Estate Adventures

When it comes to real estate, Wayne Brady’s had his fair share of transactions. In 2017, he listed his 4,200 square foot Sherman Oaks home for $3 million, which he purchased just two years earlier for $2.5 million. The house, featuring five bedrooms, eventually sold for $2.65 million in 2018. Back in 2013, Wayne sold another Sherman Oaks home for $1.8 million. He then bought a 3-bedroom condo in Pacific Palisades for $1.75 million, which he sold two years later for $1.8 million. Wayne also owned a Sherman Oaks property that he bought from actress Melissa Joan Hart in 2005 for $2.8 million but had to sell at a loss for $2.4575 million just seven months later. Real estate can be tricky, but Wayne’s managed it all with grace!