Comedy Icon Damon Wayans Raises Awareness About Diabetes Complications

Comedy legend Damon Wayans has shifted from bringing laughter to audiences to raising critical awareness about diabetes and its potential complications. The 65-year-old actor, renowned for his roles in “In Living Color,” “Major Payne,” and “My Wife and Kids,” has been managing his type 2 diabetes for several years, a condition that runs in his family.

In an exclusive interview, Wayans recounted the alarming symptoms that prompted him to seek medical attention in 2017. “I just remember going to the bathroom and peeing so much that I thought maybe my blood was draining out, too,” he described. “And it kept happening and I’m just like – I’m not even drinking that much water.”

The frequent urination was accompanied by pain in his feet, numbness in his toes, delirium, and blurry vision—all classic symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes. Wayans credits his sister Kim for urging him to see a doctor, a decision that likely prevented serious complications.

The diagnosis was sobering. When testing revealed his blood sugar had reached a dangerously high 535 mg/dL, Wayans was “scared straight” into implementing significant lifestyle modifications. Normal blood sugar typically ranges between 70 and 99 mg/dL for most people.

“I used to drink wine, love wine. I don’t drink wine [anymore],” he explained. “It’s a much healthier life I’m living, and I’m aware of all the joys that I have now that I just took for granted back when I wasn’t taking care of myself.”

Today, Wayans maintains a disciplined approach to managing his condition. His daily regimen includes a healthy diet and morning workouts that combine weightlifting, strength training using his own body weight, burpees, and yoga. He also uses a continuous glucose monitor to track how different activities affect his blood sugar levels.

“I know if I lift weights, I feel better, and also I’m burning [calories] for the rest of the day,” he said, highlighting the importance of regular physical activity for diabetes management.

Despite his proactive approach to diabetes management, Wayans recognizes the looming risk of long-term complications. This concern has led him to partner with biotech company Genentech’s “All Eye on DME” campaign, aimed at raising awareness about diabetic macular edema (DME), a serious diabetes complication that can lead to vision loss.

While Wayans does not currently have DME, he acknowledges experiencing some depth perception issues and admits he “needs to get [his] eyes checked.” This partnership aligns with his personal health journey: “Sometimes God talks to you, and maybe this is something I needed to hear and be a part of in order to keep myself from going blind.”

DME occurs when fluid leaks from weakened blood vessels in the eye, causing buildup in the macula—a critical area of the retina responsible for clear vision. Left untreated, this condition can lead to partial or complete vision loss. According to Genentech, DME affects approximately 750,000 people with diabetes in the United States, with disproportionately higher rates among Black and Hispanic populations.

Symptoms of DME include blurry or doubled vision, floaters, difficulty seeing colors or objects when there’s a glare, seeing straight lines as curved, or perceiving objects as different sizes when one eye is closed. Diagnosis typically involves a visual acuity test, comprehensive eye exam, or optical imaging performed by an ophthalmologist.

Wayans’ primary advice for people with diabetes is straightforward: “Don’t be afraid to see a doctor.” He emphasizes that early detection and treatment are crucial. “You’d be surprised at how simple the treatments are, but you can’t treat it if you don’t know what it is [and] if you never get diagnosed.”

As a member of the renowned Wayans comedy family—which includes brothers Keenen Ivory, Marlon, and Shawn, along with his son Damon Wayans Jr.—he hopes his advocacy will encourage more open conversations about health within his family and beyond.

“If they see that I’m not afraid, then maybe they’ll be less afraid,” he reflected. “And if I can go home and actually talk in-depth about treatments… especially if I got it done myself, I think they’ll be more receptive to it.”

Acknowledging the financial barriers that often prevent people from seeking medical care, Wayans concluded with a poignant reminder: “Even if you have to spend a little money now to get it under control, it’s worth it. Because there’s so much life to live, unless you do nothing.”