By the age of 16, Orlando, Florida native Wayne Brady had already decided on a career in the military. Little did he know that his chance performance in a high school play would garner rave reviews and permanently alter his long-range plans.
 

Soon he was immersed in the central Florida theater community, performing in numerous stage productions including A Chorus Line, Fences, A Raisin in the Sun, Jesus Christ Superstar, and I'm Not Rappaport. Brady moved to Las Vegas and then Los Angeles in 1996, where he began working in theater and television. He performed at the prestigious Mark Taper Forum in its production of Blade to the Heat. He also guest starred on such TV series as I'll Fly Away, Home Court, and In the Heat of the Night.

He hosted the VH1 comedy series Vinyl Justice, KABC's (Los Angeles) Countdown to the American Music Awards with percussionist Sheila E., and the PBS/BET special Safe Night with actor Doug E. Doug. In addition, Brady appeared in the television musical Geppetto, starring Drew Carey and hosted the "Cheers and Jeers" segment of the 2nd Annual TV Guide Awards.

Brady has received several nominations for his work in theater, including Best Actor in a Musical for Cotton Patch Gospel at the distinguished Edyth Bush Theatre. He was named Sak Theatre's 1992 Rookie of the Year for Theatre Sports/Improv. He is also a member of the acclaimed improv comedy troupe Houseful of Honkeys, which appears regularly at the Acme Comedy Theatre in Los Angeles. Brady continues to tour the country, performing in some of the nation's top comedy clubs. He and his wife Mandie reside in Los Angeles.