Are Wayne Brady and Jonathan Mangum friends?
Wayne Brady is considered one of the most distinguished personalities in the world of art, acting and singing, and his successes have ranged from comedy to acting, singing, dancing and hosting game shows, and this artist is the focus of the attention of many followers who are now looking for: Are Wayne Brady and Jonathan Mangum friends?
Are Wayne Brady and Jonathan Mangum friends?
From comedy to acting, singing, dancing and hosting game shows, Wayne Brady has proven he can do it all. Brady has been entertaining audiences for over three decades with no plans of stopping anytime soon. The multi-Emmy winner and Grammy-nominated Brady grew up in Tangelo Park and is a graduate of Dr. Phillips High School. As a youngster, Brady worked as a performer at both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. While studying and performing improv at the SAK Comedy Lab, Brady met UCF graduate and fellow performer Jonathan Mangum. The two have been friends for over 30 years and have collaborated on several productions together, including Let’s Make a Deal.
Brady credits his Orlando roots with helping him become the ever-versatile performer he is today. The love he has for Central Florida is certainly reciprocated as was evident back in 2019 when Mayor Buddy Dyer declared Oct. 12 to be Wayne Brady Day in Orlando. Earlier this summer, Brady returned to Central Florida to film an appearance on the CBS television program Secret Celebrity Renovation, in which he helped remodel the Tangelo Park home of his beloved aunt, Lillian.
Earlier this year, Brady garnered tremendous praise for a spoken word piece he wrote titled, “A Piece by the Angriest Black Man in America (or, How I Learned to Forgive Myself for Being a Black Man in America).” The riveting composition appears on acclaimed actor Glenn Close’s spoken word jazz album, Transformation: Personal Stories of Change, Acceptance, and Evolution, and offers a deeply poignant reflection on Brady’s early struggles with colorism.
Currently residing in Los Angeles, Brady, the proud father of a teenage daughter who he lovingly co-parents with his ex-wife and best friend Mandie Taketa, is looking forward to going back on tour this fall. Orlando Family Magazine recently caught up with the charismatic showman as he reflected on how Orlando helped shape his career and the exciting projects that he is currently working on.