Wayne Brady Shares Heartfelt Birthday Tribute To His Daughter

On Tuesday, Emmy-winner Wayne Brady took a moment on Instagram to celebrate the milestone 22nd birthday of his daughter, Maile Brady, while also introducing fans to his newborn son, Val Henry.

Celebrating Maile’s 22nd Birthday

Brady’s Instagram carousel (https://www.instagram.com/p/DK9YsLqR1XT/) opens with a throwback shot of baby Maile in his arms and shifts to a recent portrait of the two laughing side by side. In the caption, he writes, “I love it when you call me big Poppa! Being @theofficialmailebrady’s Dad is the honor of a lifetime. To watch you grow into the vibrant, funny, wickedly intelligent woman you are, has blown my mind! It’s gone by so fast. You’ll always be my Little Monkey. I love you sweetheart:)”

The post is full of warmth—the kind only a proud parent can share. Fans flooded the comments with congratulations, recalling Maile’s debut on Brady’s social media back when she was a toddler, and noting how she’s now stepped into adulthood carrying both her father’s humor and her own spark.

Welcoming Little Val

In the final slide of the carousel, Brady cradles his newborn son, Val Henry, swaddled in a light blue blanket. “And now I start all over again with Mr Val Henry! What a blessing!” he exclaims. The photo captures the affectionate gaze between father and baby, reinforcing the theme of new beginnings alongside reflection on the past two decades.

He gives a shout-out to his wife, Mandie Taketa, recalling, “Thank you @mandietaketa for the best bday gift 22 years ago:) Thank you Tina for the little guy who wants to be funny like Dad.” The dual acknowledgments underscore the blended family network that surrounds both Maile and Val, including Tina—Maile’s mother and Brady’s co-parent—whose support has helped shape Brady’s approach to fatherhood.

Expressing Gratitude

Brady closes the caption by thanking Jason Michael Fordham: “@jasonmichaelfordham you’re a wonderful Dad and thank you for giving me the chance to be in Sun’s life:)” The reference to “Sun” nods to Maile’s new middle name, a detail she revealed earlier this spring, symbolizing hope and brightness in the family.

This isn’t Brady’s first time sharing candid family moments. Over the years, he’s sprinkled snapshots of Maile’s milestones—first steps, dance recitals, high school graduations—into his feed, giving fans a glimpse of life beyond improv and television studios.

Balancing Career And Family

Born June 2, 1972 in Columbus, Ohio, Brady rose to fame on the U.S. version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? before hosting The Wayne Brady Show and earning Emmy nods for his comedic talent. He’s since branched into voice-over work (Disney’s Robin Hood) and Broadway, with roles set for this summer in the North American tour of Moulin Rouge! The demands of a multifaceted career haven’t slowed his commitment to family; he often credits improv’s “yes, and” philosophy for teaching him to pivot—both on stage and in raising his kids.

Brady’s ability to juggle late-night tapings, rehearsals, and podcast recordings with Jonathan Mangum on “What If?!” (where he occasionally improvises theme songs on the spot) speaks to a schedule that could easily overwhelm. Yet his recent post serves as proof that, at day’s end, it’s his role as “Big Poppa” that remains his proudest title.

Marriage to theatrical producer Mandie Taketa and co-parenting with Maile’s mother, Tina, have each contributed to a supportive environment for the children. Mum and dad share holiday traditions, weekend outings in Los Angeles, and even screenwriting sessions when Maile decided to try her hand at creative writing last year.

Family First

Perhaps the sweetest moment comes in the final lines of Brady’s caption: “You’ll always be my Little Monkey. I love you sweetheart:)” It’s a nickname he’s used since her earliest days—a playful reminder that no matter how old she gets, to him she’ll always be that tiny, curious child.

As Brady wraps one chapter celebrating his oldest and embarks on another with his newest, fans are reminded that even in Hollywood, where spotlights and scripts dominate, the greatest stories are often told through the lens of family.

Trivia

Wayne Brady has participated in several charitable events, supporting causes like education and children's health.

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Ratika Pai

 

Ratika holds a master's degree in commerce and a post-graduate diploma in communication and journalism from Mumbai University. She has 6 years of experience writing in various fields, such as finance, education, and lifestyle.

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