BOSTON, April 17 (UPI) -- Los Angeles native Damon Wayans Jr. says he is proud of his father, but that he has grown up to become his own man.
The 28-year-old comedian and actor is now carving out his career as a star in the ABC comedy "Happy Endings," The Boston Herald reported Sunday.
"I'm not trying to be different. I'm not trying to be like him," Wayans said of his father. "It's just kind of happening organically. Me and him aren't the same person. I have my own kind of perspective on life and how it should be. I live different experiences than him, so of course we're not going to have the same total sense of humor. I love my dad. He's an awesome dude. I embrace the similarities, but I also am my own person."
Wayans said when he first started performing stand-up, he used a pseudonym, calling himself Kyle Green.
"Just so people wouldn't feel like they were obligated to laugh, or people wouldn't just judge me immediately," Wayans told the Herald.
The plan didn't always work, Wayans said.
"I would be onstage and people would just yell out, 'You're Damon Wayans' son,'" he said. "Same name. Same voice. Same face. It's ridiculous. My name isn't even really my name. Damon, that's my dad's name. He trademarked me."
In the television comedy Wayans plays the role of Brad, a married executive. He discovers his group of friends forever changed when Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) dumps Dave (Zachary Knighton) at the altar.
"I relate to him [Brad] in the fact that I work hard. I never stop working," Wayans said. "I think he's the only guy on the show that actually has a legitimate job that pays. Everybody else is still trying to find themselves. I'm pretty sure I know who I am. So I feel like we both kind of know who we are."
