Wayne Brady; Age, Wife, Education, Movies, Net Worth and Son
Wayne Brady Biography
Wayne Brady is a multi-talented American entertainer best known for his quick wit, improvisational comedy, and smooth hosting style. He rose to national fame as a cast member on the hit improv comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and has since built a successful career as an actor, comedian, singer, game show host, and television personality. Over the years, Brady has proven to be one of the most versatile performers in the entertainment industry.
Wayne Brady Age
Wayne Brady is 53 years old as of 2025. He was born on June 2, 1972, in Columbus, Georgia, United States.
Wayne Brady Education
Brady was raised in Orlando, Florida, where he graduated from Dr. Phillips High School in 1989. He later attended the University of Miami for a short time but left to pursue a full-time career in entertainment. His early exposure to theatre and performance during high school helped set the stage for his career.
Wayne Brady Career
Wayne Brady’s career began in local theater and improv before breaking through nationally on Whose Line Is It Anyway? in the late 1990s. His impeccable comedic timing and musical improvisation made him a fan favorite. In the early 2000s, he launched The Wayne Brady Show, which began as a variety show and transitioned into a successful daytime talk show, earning multiple Daytime Emmy Awards.
In addition to hosting, Brady has starred in Broadway productions (Kinky Boots), appeared on TV dramas (How I Met Your Mother, Black Lightning), and even won The Masked Singer (Season 2) in 2019. He currently hosts Let’s Make a Deal on CBS, a role he’s held since 2009.
Wayne Brady Parents
Wayne was raised by his paternal grandmother, Valerie Petersen, whom he considers his mother. His biological mother, Linda Marie Newton, was a nurse, and his father, Wayne Brady Sr., was a military serviceman. His grandmother played a crucial role in his upbringing, especially after his parents’ separation.
Wayne Brady Wife
Wayne Brady has been married twice. He first married singer Diana Lasso on December 31, 1993, but the couple divorced less than two years later, on September 21, 1995. On April 3, 1999, he married dancer and actress Mandie Taketa. Together, they welcomed a daughter, Maile Masako Brady, born on February 3, 2003. Brady and Taketa separated on April 5, 2006, and she filed for divorce on July 2, 2007. Despite their separation, the two have remained close friends and dedicated co-parents.
In a more recent development, Brady discovered he has a son named Val Henry, from a past relationship with his ex-girlfriend Tina, with whom he had an intimate connection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wayne Brady’s Son: Val Henry
Wayne Brady, widely known for his quick wit and charm on shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Let’s Make a Deal, made headlines in 2023 when he revealed he has a son named Val Henry. The news came as a surprise to many, as Brady had long been publicly known as the father of only one child, his daughter Maile Masako Brady.
Val Henry was born from a past relationship Brady had with a woman named Tina, a close friend and former girlfriend. The relationship took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time that brought many unexpected life changes for people around the world. While Brady and Tina were not in a formal relationship at the time of Val’s birth, Brady has since embraced his role as a father.
Though Wayne has remained relatively private about the details of his relationship with his son, he has acknowledged Val publicly and appears to be taking an active role in the child’s life. Given Brady’s open commitment to fatherhood—especially his close and supportive co-parenting relationship with his ex-wife Mandie Taketa—it’s clear that he values being a present and responsible parent.
As of now, there are limited public photos or detailed accounts about Val Henry, suggesting that Brady is likely choosing to protect his son’s privacy while still honoring the significance of his role as a father.
Wayne Brady Daughter
Maile Masako Brady is Wayne’s only child. She was born in February 2003 and has shown interest in the entertainment industry. Maile has appeared on The Bold and the Beautiful and is often seen supporting her father at public events.
Is Wayne Brady Married?
As of 2025, Wayne Brady is not currently married. He was previously married twice but is now single and co-parenting his daughter with his ex-wife Mandie Taketa.
Wayne Brady Ex-Girlfriends
Though Brady keeps his personal life relatively private, he has been linked to a few relationships post-divorce. He has not been publicly tied to many long-term relationships outside of his two marriages, and his focus has often been on co-parenting and his career.
Wayne Brady Pansexual
In August 2023, Wayne Brady publicly came out as pansexual, meaning he is attracted to people regardless of gender. In interviews, he described the journey to understanding his identity as deeply personal and part of a larger process of self-acceptance and mental health.
Gay
Wayne Brady does not identify as gay. He identifies as pansexual, which includes attraction to individuals of any gender. He has emphasized that this orientation is about being open to love and connection without traditional gender limitations.
Wayne Brady Chappelle Show
One of Wayne Brady’s most iconic and unexpected appearances was on Chappelle’s Show in a 2004 sketch. The episode parodied Brady’s squeaky-clean image, showing him in a hilariously dark, gangster-like role. The sketch was a hit and remains one of the most memorable in the show’s history.
Wayne Brady Game Show
Brady is best known in the game show world as the host of Let’s Make a Deal, which he began hosting in 2009. His energetic and musical approach to the show brought new life to the long-running format. He has also guest-hosted The Price is Right and appeared on Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! specials.
TV Shows
Wayne Brady has appeared in numerous TV shows over his career, including:
Whose Line Is It Anyway? (both U.K. and U.S. versions)
The Wayne Brady Show
Let’s Make a Deal
How I Met Your Mother (as Barney’s brother)
The Masked Singer
Black Lightning
American Gigolo
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Good Fight
Wayne Brady Movies
Brady has appeared in several films, such as:
Roll Bounce (2005)
Crossover (2006)
1982 (2013)
Foodfight! (2012, voice role)
The Lego Batman Movie (2017, voice role as Hawkgirl)
Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe (2020, voice role)
Spinning Gold (2023)
Net Worth
As of 2025, Wayne Brady has an estimated net worth of $12 million. His income comes from TV hosting, acting, live performances, voice work, and Broadway appearances. His long-running role on Let’s Make a Deal has been a significant contributor to his wealth.
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