Marlon Wayans Reveals His Top Pick from Family's Movie Legacy

When it comes to Hollywood dynasties, few families can match the sheer size and influence of the Wayans clan. Marlon Wayans, the comedy veteran known for his work on The Wayans Brothers sitcom, belongs to one of entertainment's most prolific families. His siblings have left their mark across the industry - Shawn starred alongside him on television, Damon Sr. made his name on Saturday Night Live, Damon Jr. appeared on New Girl, Kim built a reputation as a skilled impressionist, and Dwayne works behind the scenes as a writer and composer.

The Brother Who Started It All

Among all these talented siblings stands Keenen Ivory Wayans, the trailblazer who opened doors for the entire family. This actor-turned-filmmaker was the first to break through Hollywood's barriers, creating opportunities that his younger brothers and sisters would later follow. Keenen earned recognition for directing Scary Movie, which at one point held the record as the highest-earning film ever helmed by a Black American director, launching what became an incredibly successful franchise. His achievements include an Emmy win and a reputation as an industry powerhouse.

During a recent conversation with Rotten Tomatoes about his five favorite films, Marlon gave special recognition to one of Keenen's projects that holds particular significance for him personally.

A Childhood Inspiration That Changed Everything

Marlon selected "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" as his top choice, a film that played a crucial role in his own journey from the very beginning. "I was eight years old when Keenen sent me that script," Marlon remembered. "I [had] never laughed so hard. It inspired me. I knew that was what I wanted to do. It's really my number one – I mean, I think it's crazy if I put my brother as number one. You'd think I was being biased, of which I probably am, but I'm not, because I really love that movie and my brother. I think he's a brilliant genius."

The 1988 release showcased Keenen's talents as writer, director, and lead actor. In the film, he portrays a soldier who comes back to his old neighborhood following his younger brother's death, determined to confront a dangerous crime boss. Created as a tribute to the Blaxploitation films of the 1970s, the movie received mixed reactions from critics, though Black audiences embraced it enthusiastically.

From Small Role to Big Dreams

For 16-year-old Marlon, the film provided his first taste of the movie business through a small cameo appearance. But the movie's influence extended far beyond that brief moment on screen. The commercial success of "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" caught the attention of Fox executives, who approached Keenen about developing his own television series.

Keenen's vision was ambitious - he wanted to create what he described as a Black version of Saturday Night Live. This concept became "In Living Color," a groundbreaking sketch comedy show that would serve as a launching pad for multiple Wayans family members. The program also introduced audiences to future stars like Jamie Foxx and Jim Carrey, who used the platform to showcase their talents before achieving mainstream success.

While some might question Marlon's choice to highlight a film he appeared in, his reasoning makes perfect sense. Watching your brother write a script as a child, then seeing that project come to life and launch a revolutionary career would be pretty impressive by anyone's standards.