Marlon Wayans — Shorty Meeks — Marlon Wayans — Shorty Meeks

Wayans played Shorty in the first two films and co-wrote both installments with Shawn Wayans and other collaborators. That dual role matters: his loose performance is tied to the comic architecture behind the camera.

He later starred in White Chicks, Little Man, A Haunted House, and dramatic projects including Respect and Air, while maintaining an active stand-up career.