Wayne Brady is a hilarious guy. He’s always laughing and wears a permasmile while hosting Let’s Make a Deal and The Wayne Brady Show. If you check his IMDb profile, it’s clear that Brady gets a ton of work beyond those two titles. He is a very busy man. I first became aware of Wayne Brady many years ago when he started with Drew Carey in a variety show called Whose Line Is It Anyway? Way back when, the guy was a continuous ball of sunshine on camera.
All is not as it seems. Wayne sat down with Entertainment Tonight to discuss the depression that has plagued him for most of his adult life. Wayne says he had a “complete breakdown” in June. His account is incredibly painful to read, so it’s hard to imagine how awful his experience felt:
You don’t know Wayne Brady: “Folks think, ‘Well, Wayne Brady’s always happy.’ No, I’m not always happy. Because I’m human.”
His downtimes: “Some days, you don’t want to move, you can’t move in the darkness. You’re like, ‘You know what, I’m just gonna sit right here, and I’m gonna wallow in this. And as much as it hurts, I’m just gonna sit right here, because this is what I deserve. Because I am that horrible of a person.'”
Hitting rock bottom in June 2014: “I was there, by myself, in my bedroom, and I had a complete breakdown. And when I say breakdown, just go ahead and imagine for yourself a brother in his underwear, in his room, crying. [It] was the beginning of, ‘Okay, I gotta make a change.”
On the death of Robin Williams: “[Robin] was someone that brought such love and light to a few generations of people…He made everyone feel great. But…all that love could not stop that man from saying, ‘I am in so much pain.'”
His ex-wife, Mandie Taketa, helped with recovery: “It took me a while to get my stuff together to go, ‘You know what? If you’re not happy you have to do something about it.’ Just to admit that you are feeling this way is a huge step. To claim that, to say, ‘Why do I feel dark? Why do I feel unhappy? Let me do something about this.'”
[From Entertainment Tonight]
Wayne compares his depression to that of Robin Williams. I don’t think that’s overreaching. Robin was an icon, and Wayne is a successful comedian in his own right. Wayne’s humor isn’t very subversive — his comedy tends towards network friendliness, but he’s funny all the same. His revelations support the theory that many comedians forge their art from sadness. Dana Carvey once told MTV News (long before the internet) that he felt like “the loneliest man in the world.” I also read a newish Slate article, which examined the tie between comedians and depression. It’s an interesting topic — one wonders whether professional comics are drawn to comedy for healing purposes or if they “mine their own lives for material” and stumble upon gallows humor. I’m glad Wayne found the help he needed.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet & WENN
Comedians and great actors live with their dark sides in the mirror every morning.
It just goes to show that no matter how happy someone looks on the outside, there is always a possibility that darkness lingers within. We all have our demons.
You are 100% correct!!
Also, he talks about it taking “a while” to get his stuff together and I’m glad he shared this too. Many people with depression have a vey difficult time deciding to get help.
Wayne Brady is so gifted. I love him more for having the courage to talk about his depression. I do believe there is a connection between comedic behavior and depression.
I love Wayne! He is AMAZINGLY talented. This article didn’t even mention what a great singing voice he has!
Aw I love him as a comedian but I super respect him as a person for making this struggle Public
Hope he’s doing better. Sending positive thoughts his way.
i really like him, his skits with dave chapelle (“is wane brady gonna have to choke a b*tch?”) are comedy gold. i’m glad that he’s speaking out about his depression. mental disabilities really need to be normalized, so many of us have them. hopefully he’s getting the long-term help and support he needs. all my best to him.
the Paul Mooney quote that prompted that skit (“Wayne Brady makes Bryant Gumble look like Malcolm X”) was hilarious, and I LOVE that Brady didn’t get insulted but instead played off of it for a GREAT bit on Chapelle’s show.
he’s HILARIOUS and from everything I’ve seen, he seems like a really nice person. I’m glad he was able to move past his issues and speak out about them. hopefully he’ll help someone else with his words.
was that the trigger for that skit? i had no idea, awesome. lol
did you ever see the “Ask a Black Dude” with Paul Mooney on Chapelle’s show?
the man is so wonderfully funny, in a great “social commentary” way.
oh, yeah, i have. it’s totally funny/social commentary type of good stuff.
Yes – my absolute favorite chapelle skit!
We always quote this 😃
we do too. 🙂 my now-2 year old used to pick up our chapelle DVDs and call him “mama.” haha
Me too!! Whose Line Is It was where I first saw Wayne, Drew, Colin, AND Ryan~they always totally cracked me up. It was the Chappelle Show Wayne Brady sketch that truly cemented my crush/awe over Wayne, though. The “Black Actors” sketch is STILL one of my personal favorite funniest TV moments EVER: It can still bring me to tears from laughing so hard.
I am SO GLAD that he is acknowledging his depression and seeking treatment for it. It is so very difficult to admit to having something emotionally or mentally awry due to the horrible stigma attached to mental health issues, so I am glad that he is speaking up~every voice that brings this situation to light increases the understanding of and compassion for people afflicted with mental health conditions. Poor Amanda Bynes!!
‘Smile, though your heart is aching.
Smile, even though it’s breaking,
when there are clouds in the sky,
you’ll get by
Smile, through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow,
You’ll see the sun come shining through
For you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear could be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying
You’ll see that life is still worth while
If you just smile.
That song was written by Charlie Chaplin. Beautiful song… But it certainly wasn’t written by someone who was happy all the time. The people who give the world the gift of laughter are more likely to be the ones that are the saddest.
Robin wasn’t the first funny person to take their own lives. A few years ago, Richard Jeni took his own life for the very same reason. I’m glad that Wayne is getting the help he needs.
This is one of my favorite songs to listen to when I’m down. Comedians give the gift of laughter but they often mask the deepest pain. I’m glad Wayne is being open about this discussion because maybe that helps the next person from feeling like they have to be ON all the time. Hope he’s doing better.
I’ve loved him ever since Whose Line. And it’s funny – I always say that he looks like/reminds me of my brother. And my brother has had similar battles with depression. So sad. But at least he’s acknowledged it and hopefully is getting the help he needs.
Love him, a truly talented guy.
Can I just take a moment to make this plug: if anyone who is struggling with depression is out there, please know that there is no shame in asking for help. You are NOT alone or broken. It can get better with help and when you feel like your brain is telling you that you shouldn’t bother others with your problems, please remember that your depression is lying to you and people do want to help.
I really appreciate what you’re saying even though it’s very hard to believe at this point of my life. I’m struggling with an undiagnosed, but very apparent severe depression – after more than a year of being unhappy, crying every day and quitting a well-paid job because I puked and cried every time I had to go there, I finally have to admit it’s true but I don’t know what to do with it and where to seek help. I don’t trust people. In the last two years every single person I had a longer connection with, has treated me like someone disposable, unimportant and who can be used and left alone as they pleased. My dad is the only person I can trust but he is a fresh amputee and he deals with a diagnosed depression himself. I don’t want to worry him and I can’t ask him for help. Other people I shared my problems with, think I am a whiny loser who can’t get her shit together. When I say I am unhappy, I hear that people are starving, dying from Ebola and living in the streets so I should be ashamed for thinking I have problems. Depression is still marginalized and frowned upon. I don’t really see a way out if this situation and there are days when I understand Robin Williams and other people who committed suicide, but I wouldn’t take my own life because it would kill my dad.
@Norman Bates’ Mother –
I am so sorry to hear about the severe depression you’re struggling with. I know it’s NO JOKE and that you seriously need to make finding yourself treatment your priority. Have you looked to see if there are any treatment providers, mental health clinics . . . even hospitals in your area? Even if you just call and pretend you’re researching for someone else – sometimes it feels easier to begin like that. Just calling someone – reaching out – will hopefully help you get to a place where you can find a suitable person and place to begin healing.
Also – for you or anyone of us who may find ourselves in a bad way:
Need help?
In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Please take care of YOU! People DO LOVE & NEED YOU!
@Norman Bates’ Mother – I can relate to everything you said. You’ve taken a big step by admitting that you aren’t feeling like yourself and you need help. I also lost friends when I was depressed. Either they would laugh off my problems and tell me to “just cheer up” or they would be insensitive if I felt the need to stay home. Hopefully, our society will come to better understand depression. Talking to someone and following a treatment plan can really help.
Here are some more resources:
Kristin Brooks Hope Center- 1-800-442-HOPE
United Way Helpline (they can help find therapists/healthcare)- 1-800-233-4357
Just hang in there, and believe that you can do it. {{hug}}
More props to Wayne Brady. Didn’t know about his depression but I am glad he is open about it.
I second this comment and add that it can take time for medications to work. But if they aren’t working, don’t be afraid to go back and say so. There are so many treatment options to try. Including doctors. The first psychiatrist kept saying to me, “Relax, don’t worry so much.” Not helpful actually. The second gave me some options and asked, “What are your thoughts about treatment? You’re in charge. I work for you.” I nearly fell off my chair. Imagine being invited to contribute to your own care. Sometimes I have thoughts, other times I am stumped and he uses his best judgment.
A PSYCHIATRIST is generally not a talk therapist. They are medical doctors (M.D.) who prescribe medications. A PSYCHOLOGIST is a talk therapist and Ph.D. who cannot prescribe. Both can diagnose. Their titles are frequently used interchangeably in movies & books, but they are different.
Warm wishes and hope to those who are working through this illness, too.
Thank you Sarah for noting that crucial difference, and congratulations on finding such a good doctor. Generally a psychiatrist session only lasts 20-30 minutes every few months for a check up, psychologists are usually more frequent visits. It can take a while to find a therapist AND medication that actually help. Don’t be afraid to seek out a different therapist, or request different medication, you are in charge of your body and life.
He was amazing on Whose Line, I watch old clips on YouTube sometimes and he has you peeing yourself with laughter. He was born to do improv. So sorry to hear about his struggles, hope he can keep us laughing for many years to come.
Not to make light of his mental health, or anyone’s but this reminds me of that scene from Heathers when Winona Ryder/Veronica says : “If you were happy every day of your life you wouldn’t be a human being. You’d be a game-show host.”
I’m glad Wayne is getting help, I’ve enjoyed his comedy for years. It’s hell wading through depression, my thoughts are with my fellow sufferers. You aren’t alone, I promise. Please please please never give up or think no one cares – I care!
I’m grateful there are so many compassionate people posting hotline numbers and encouraging thoughts, thank you. Usually the fastest way to lose faith in humanity is the comment section of a site, but here it’s a real community that offers support. That’s why I come back.