Mike Epps

Mike Epps

Mike Epps' Bio

Mike Epps is generating an extraordinary amount of buzz among his peers for being not only one of the funniest comic actors in town, but also for his burgeoning dramatic talent.

Mike returned this summer in season three of the Starz series “Survivor’s Remorse” produced LeBron James and Mike O’Malley. He won a 2016 NAACP Image award for “Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” for his portrayal as Uncle Julius.

In the fall, Mike will begin production on the indie comedy “The Trap,” directed by Chris Robinson, executively produced by Jesse Collins and co-starring Tip “T.I.” Harris. Mike will produce the film under his NapTown productions along with Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere. “The Trap” is based on a story that Epps created with Nile Evans, with Evans writing the script. The Trap tells of a man (T.I.) who returns home to Atlanta after an extended absence to help save his brother (Epps) and mother's run-down restaurant. An unexpected change to the chicken recipe breathes new life into the restaurant but also brings unexpected problems.

He recently wrapped HYPERLINK "http://deadline.com/tag/eli-roth/" Eli Roth’s remake of “ HYPERLINK "http://deadline.com/tag/death-wish/" Death Wish” for MGM/Paramount starring opposite Bruce Willis. Epps will play Dr. Chris Salgado, a playboy doctor and close friend of Willis’ character Paul Kersey. Kersey’s life has been destroyed by a violent crime against his wife and daughter. Frustrated that the bad guys for the crime were never brought to justice, Kersey starts hunting them down.

In 2017, Mike will also begin production on The Weinstein Film “Pryor” starring opposite Oprah Winfrey, Eddie Murphy and Kate Hudson as the legendary comedian Richard Pryor. Written by Bill Condon, the film will bring to life the comedians ground breaking accomplishments to the stand up stage, TV and films.

He was seen in the HBO-Emmy Winning bio-pic “Bessie” based on Bessie Smith, played by Queen Latifah. The film chronicles how Smith overcame her tempestuous personal life to become one of the most acclaimed performing and recording artists of the 1920s and ’30s, earning the nickname Empress of the Blues. Mike plays Richard Morgan, a bootlegger and romantic interest to Bessie Smith. The film also won a Critics Choice Award for “best mini- series/ movie” as well as a Primetime Emmy for “Television Movie or Limited Series.”

He is also currently developing the script “Any Means Necessary” for Sony pictures with Neal Moritz attached to produce. He will star opposite Marlon Wayans about a two brothers- one a cop and one a criminal.

In 2011, he was awarded an NAACP Image Award for “Best Supporting Actor” for his role in the Sony Pictures film, “Jumping the Broom." He continued to receive critical praise for his dramatic turn in 2012 with "Sparkle," opposite Whitney Houston and Jordan Sparks. He further pursued his dramatic side with two important roles: starring opposite Forest Whitaker and Anthony Mackie in the Lionsgate thriller, "Repentance," being released through Lionsgate/Codeblack Entertainment., followed by the independent Nina Simone biopic, “Nina,” starring Zoe Saldana. In “Nina,” he plays the legendary Richard Pryor, who opened for the singer in the early 60’s. In 2015 he produced and starred in the independent film “meet the Blacks.”

He is also currently on his Live Nation national tour “Mike Epps; After Dark” through the end of 2014. In 2009, Mike headlined his hugely successful stand-up special, “Mike Epps: Underrated and Never Faded,” and in 2011 introduced the world to new comedic talent with, “Mike Epps Presents…,” both which aired on Showtime. He also released his first comedy rap album called “Funny Bidness: Da Album.” The album featured Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock, and Slim Thug to name a few. That year also marked the release of his comedy DVD “Funny Bidness.” With his undying love for hip-hop, Mike hosted the BET Hip-Hop Awards from 2009-2012. He’ll continue comedic hosting duties this fall with Shaq’s Comedy All-Stars set to air on Showtime.

Since 2000, Epps steadily climbed his way up the stand-up comedy ranks when he was recognized by a national audience in 1995 for appearing on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam (which, years later, he would go on to host). During a performance at LA’s Comedy Store, Epps caught the attention of Ice Cube. This led to the first of three feature films they would do together: the cult hits “Next Friday,” "Friday after Next," and “All About the Benjamins.”

Other features include the Hangover franchise, “Faster,” “Hancock,” “Lottery Ticket,” “Next Day Air,” “Roll Bounce,” “The Fighting Temptations”, the Resident Evil franchise, “Bait”, “How High,” “Dr.Dolittle 2”, "Talk to Me", and "Guess Who?"

Epps can be seen in over 40 cities and 3 continents this year on his worldwide “Mike Epps After Dark” Live Nation Tour.