14 People Who Became Stars After Appearing on 'In Living Color'

'In Living Color' turns 25 today, and we take a look back at the stars the show createad.

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In Living Color doesn't get the respect it deserves. The comedy sketch show, which began 25 years ago today, ended unceremoniously in 1994, after its fifth season. Keenan Ivory Wayans, the show's creator, left the show as a writer after the third season in 1992, staying on as executive producer until the fourth season because he felt Fox executives were devaluing the show's syndication by scheduling too many reruns. He basically pulled a Chappelle before Dave Chappelle.

The show may not have lasted as long as Saturday Night Live, but it launched the careers of some of the biggest stars of the past 20 years. Damon Wayans was the first to leave in hopes of becoming a big movie star. Jim Carrey became one of the biggest box office draws because of his work on the show. Jamie Foxx was a fan favorite when he joined the cast during the show's third season, and Jennifer Lopez may be the biggest, if most unexpected, star to come out of ILC.

In Living Color celebrates its silver anniversary today, so we took a look back at some of the most famous people who came out of the classic sketch comedy show. These are 14 People Who Became Stars After Appearing on In Living Color​.

Angel Diaz is a staff writer for Complex Media. Follow him @ADiaz456.

Damon Wayans

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Appeared on In Living Color: Seasons 1-3 (1990-1992)

Notable roles: The Last Boy Scout (1991), Mo' Money (1992), Blankman (1994), My Wife and Kids (2001-2005)

Damon was In Living Color's original breakout performer. Credited as co-creator with his brother Keenan, Damon played some of the show's most memorable characters. Everybody started quoting the line, "Homey don't play that" after his portrayal of Homey D. Clown. Additionally, Anton Jackson and his pickle jar full of piss, and "Men on Films's" Blaine Edwards were some of the funniest sketch comedy characters ever. Damon left ILC in 1992 to become a movie star, but it never really panned out for him.

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Tommy Davidson

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Appeared on In Living Color: Seasons 1-5 (1990-1994)

Notable roles: Strictly Business (1991), Booty Call (1997), Black Dynamite (2009)

Scrawny and funny as hell, Davidson used his small frame as an asset in his sketches. From impersonating Sammy Davis, Jr. to funky kung-fu master Sweet Tooth Jones, Davidson quickly became a fan favorite. He went on to have a semi-successful film career, starring in Strictly Business opposite Halle Barry and the dude who played Denise's military husband on The Cosby Show.

He also had a small part in the underrated Black Dynamite, which turned into a recurring role in the animated series of the same name.

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David Alan Grier

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Appeared on In Living Color: Seasons 1-5 (1990-1994)

Notable roles: Boomerang (1992), Blankman (1994), Recurring character on Martin (1993-1997)

DAG never blew like some thought he would, but he was a top-five cast member in my book. I don't think he ever had a corny sketch. Whether he played hall monitor Al MacAfee, Antoine Merriweather, or Calhoun Tubbs, Grier was always good for side-splitting laughs. Classically trained at Yale, Grier has multiple Tony nominations under his belt, one for his role as Jackie Robinson in "The First" and another for his role in "Race."

While not having the star power as some of the other people on this list, Grier is never out of work, always appearing in various shows and movies.

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Larry Wilmore

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Appeared on In Living Color: Seasons 3-4 (1991-1993)

Notable roles: Created The PJs (1999-2008), created The Bernie Mac Show (2001-2006), The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (2006-2015), The Nightly Show (Present)

Yup, Larry Wilmore has been around for longer than you probably realize. He was mainly a writer on ILC, and appeared in two episodes. Larry was also influential in the creation of The Jamie Foxx Show, serving as the show's supervising producer for 21 episodes, Eddie Murphy's The PJs, and The Bernie Mac Show. In Living Color was a breeding ground for young comedians and writers, alike.

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Marlon Wayans

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Appeared on In Living Color: Seasons 3-4 (1991-1993)

Notable roles: Mo' Money (1992), Above the Rim (1994), The Wayans Bros. (1995-1999), Requiem for a Dream (2000)

The youngest of the Wayans siblings, Marlon seemed destined to blow up. He was able to bring a different element to his comedy with his faces and wiry frame, often contorting his body to get a laugh. He's a talented actor, as well, turning out scene-stealing performances in Above the Rim and Requiem for a Dream.

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Kim Wayans

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Appeared on In Living Color: Seasons 1-4 (1990-1993)

Notable roles: A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994), Don't Be a Menace to South Central (1996), In the House (1995-1998), Reckless (Present)

Being the sibling of the show's creator helps, but Kim showed she belonged from the start. Her most memorable characters were Benita Butrell, the neighborhood gossiper, and one half of Cephus and Reesie alongside David Alan Grier—a parody of Peaches & Herb. She went on to a successful sitcom career with supporting roles in The Wayans Bros.In the House, and Reckless.

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Shawn Wayans

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Appeared on In Living Color: Seasons 1-4 (1990-1993)

Notable roles: The Wayans Bros. (1995-1999), Scary Movie (2000), White Chicks (2004)

Shawn started out as the show's DJ and then moved on to being in sketches. Although his characters were relatively forgettable, he parlayed his experience into a successful sitcom alongside his brother Marlon on the WB. He also produced and starred in the Scary Movie franchise and White Chicks.

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Molly Shannon

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Appeared on In Living Color: Season 4 (1992-1993)

Notable roles: Saturday Night Live (1995-2010), Superstar (1999), Will & Grace (1999-2004)

Known more for her time on Saturday Night Live, and rightfully so, Molly Shannon made a handful of appearances on In Living Color between 1992 and 1993. She was merely a background character, but her presence on ILC proves the show gave young comedians a jumping off point.

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Kim Coles

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Appeared on In Living Color: Season 1 (1990)

Notable roles: Living Single (1993-1998)

Kim Coles' silly and quirky personality helped her get some laughs during her only season on the show, but she really came into her own after her run on In Living Color ended. Playing the role of Sinclair on the Fox show Living Single, she became a fan favorite. Sinclair's relationship with Overton was one of the greatest love stories ever told.

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Ellen Cleghorne

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Carlos Mencia

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Jamie Foxx

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Appeared on In Living Color: Seasons 3-5 (1991-1994)

Notable roles: The Jamie Foxx Show (1991-2001), Ray (2004), Django Unchained (2012)

Jamie Foxx isn't as big as Jennifer Lopez and Jim Carrey, but he's the best all-around actor the show has produced. Foxx made a name for himself on the Fox comedy sketch show with brilliant impersonations and hilarious characters like Wanda and Carl the Tooth Williams. He would go on to win an Oscar for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the 2004 movie Ray.

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Jim Carrey

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Appeared on In Living Color: Seasons 1-5 (1990-1994)

Notable roles: The Mask (1994), Ace Ventura (1994, 1995), Dumb and Dumber (1994), The Cable Guy (1996), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Jim Carrey was the first ILC cast member to really blow up. He had made a name for himself on the stand-up circuit during the '80s and was the lead in the failed NBC sitcom The Duck Factory. He also starred in a bunch of B-movies before becoming a household name. In Living Color was his launching pad to super-stardom. Classic characters like Vera de Milo and Fire Marshall Bill helped him become one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood.

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Jennifer Lopez

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Appeared on In Living Color: Seasons 3-4 (1991-1993)

Notable roles: Selena (1997), Out of Sight (1998), multi-platinum recording artist.

It's kind of crazy that a dancer ended up being the biggest star of the bunch. Jenny From the Block started out as a Fly Girl under the tutelage of fellow Puerto Rican Rosie Perez, the show's choreographer. Lopez went on to land the lead role in the biopic Selena, and the rest is history. These days she's a triple threat with platinum albums and box office draw.

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