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Who is Wayne Brady? Is Wayne Brady Married? Who is Wayne Brady Married to?

Wayne Brady is a versatile American entertainer known for hosting Let's Make a Deal, his work on Whose Line Is It Anyway? and his performances in theater and comedy.

by Madhumitha

Updated Jul 26, 2024

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Who is Wayne Brady? Is Wayne Brady Married? Who is Wayne Brady Married to?

Who is Wayne Brady?

Wayne Brady, born on June 2, 1972, is an American entertainer known for his work as a television host, comedian, actor, and singer. He regularly appears on the U.S. version of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" Wayne Brady first appeared on TV with roles on Kwik Witz and Whose Line Is It Anyway? winning an Emmy for his work. He hosted The Wayne Brady Show and Don’t Forget the Lyrics! Since 2009, he's been the host of Let’s Make a Deal. Brady also starred in the Broadway musical "Kinky Boots" as the drag queen Lola and had a role in "How I Met Your Mother" as James Stinson.

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Wayne Brady has received five Emmy Awards. He won one in 2003 for Whose Line Is It Anyway? and two more for The Wayne Brady Show. He also earned two Emmys for hosting Let's Make a Deal. In 2009, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for his cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come."

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8m-drIPhd3/
Name Wayne Alphonso Brady
Born June 2, 1972
Age 52
Country Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
Occupations Television host, comedian, actor, singer
Years Active 1990–present
Television Let's Make a Deal, The Wayne Brady Show,

Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Spouses Diana Lasso (m. 1993; div. 1995),

Mandie Taketa (m. 1999; div. 2007)

Children 1
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Is Wayne Brady Married?

Wayne Brady has been married twice. He first married Diana Lasso on December 31, 1993, but they divorced on September 21, 1995. On April 3, 1999, Wayne Brady married dancer Mandie Taketa. They have one child together, a daughter named Maile Masako Brady, born on February 3, 2003. Brady and Taketa split up on April 5, 2006. Taketa then filed for divorce on July 2, 2007. Despite their separation, they have remained close friends and continue to co-parent their daughter.

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In August 2023, Wayne Brady came out as pansexual. He has also been involved in charity work, supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities, and is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. Brady has struggled with clinical depression but credited Taketa with helping him during a difficult period in 2014.

Who is Wayne Brady Married to?

Wayne Brady has been married twice. He first married Diana Lasso on December 31, 1993, but they divorced in 1995. His second marriage was to dancer Mandie Taketa on April 3, 1999.Their daughter, Maile Masako Brady, was born on February 3, 2003.

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Brady and Taketa separated in 2006, and their divorce was finalized in 2007. Even though they are no longer married, they remain good friends and co-parent their daughter. As of August 2023, Wayne Brady has publicly identified as pansexual.

Wayne Brady's Early Life

Wayne Brady was born in Columbus, Georgia, and moved to Orlando, Florida, as a child to live with his grandmother, who raised him. As a kid, he had a stutter and was bullied, which made him anxious. At 16, he began performing in community theater and joined the SAK Comedy Lab in Orlando, where he learned improv.

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After graduating from Dr. Phillips High School in 1989, he worked at Universal Studios Florida, performing in shows featuring Beetlejuice. In 1996, Brady moved to Los Angeles to further his acting career.

Wayne Brady Child

Wayne Brady's daughter, Maile Masako Brady, was born on February 3, 2003. Maile’s mother is Wayne’s second wife, Mandie Taketa. Although Wayne and Mandie separated in 2006 and got divorced in 2007, they remain good friends and work together to take care of their daughter.

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Wayne and Mandie have managed to co-parent Maile effectively, putting her needs first. Despite their separation, they have maintained a supportive relationship for Maile’s well-being.

Wayne Brady Career

Wayne Brady began his TV career on Kwik Witz and became known for his role on Whose Line Is It Anyway? He won an Emmy for his performance on the show. He starred in The Wayne Brady Show, which won four Daytime Emmys.

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Brady has performed on Broadway in Chicago and Kinky Boots. He hosted Let's Make a Deal starting in 2009 and won a Daytime Emmy for it. Brady has been a guest on shows like How I Met Your Mother and The Masked Singer, and he played a major role on Black Lightning.



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