Marlon Wayans is “hurting” after the death of his father, Howell Wayans.
“In my life right now, I have so much stuff that can be depressing,” the comedian — who also lost his mother, Elvira Alethia, in July 2020 — said on “Good Morning America” Thursday. “I lost my mom recently; I lost my dad three days ago.”
Marlon shared that he realized that the “only thing that saves” him is being onstage.
“When I’m hurting, those laughs that I hear from other people healing from my pain, I realize my purpose,” he added. “And I think it’s important for all of us to do what comedians do, which is look at this world, look at this life and always try to spend your life trying to find smiles.
“And that’s what I do on the stage.”
Marlon’s appearance on “GMA” comes days after news surfaced that Howell, the patriarch of the talented Wayans family, died at age 86.
Howell’s cause of death is unknown at this time.
On April 1, Marlon shared a touching tribute to his late father, whom he called a “legend.”
“Thank you Pop for being an example of a Man to all your boys,” he wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of his dad giving him a kiss on the cheek.
“I pray all young black boys can grow up to be a Man like you. Baby boy loves you. And if ever i need you i know exactly where to find you… in my Bible that now sits by bed. Rest well.”
The “Wayans Brothers” alum, 50, concluded his tribute by telling his dad to give his mom a kiss and tell her that her children miss her.
“I got two angels. I feel y’all lifting me already,” he wrote. “If there’s a heaven i know you sitting in VIP sippin’ the best wine jesus can make…”
Marlon took the stage to perform a second comedy show in Los Angeles on March 31, hours after learning of his father’s death.
After hearing the tragic news, a source told TMZ that the “White Chicks” actor “worked the tragedy” into his material, which he was partly using to discuss his mom’s death.
Tributes for Howell also poured in from several other stars, including Omar Epps, who said that the former writer was like a “true father” to him.
“Thank you for taking me under your wing as if I was one of your own,” the “Love & Basketball” star wrote on Instagram. “We’re all devastated, but yet somehow, you prepared us for this moment. I LOVE YOU!!”
Howell had 10 children with Elvira, most of whom have flourishing careers in Hollywood: Keenan Ivory, Damon, Shawn, Dwayne, Kim, Nadia, Elvira, Diedra, Vonnie and Marlon.
