Michael Elliot Epps is a stand-up comedian and actor from the United States. He portrayed Day-Day Jones in Next Friday and its sequel, Friday After Next. He also appeared in The Hangover and Part III as “Black Doug.”
In Open Season 2, he replaced Martin Lawrence as the title character Boog, with whom he co-starred in the comedy Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins as Roscoe’s cousin “Reggie.” He portrayed Lloyd Jefferson “L.J.” Wade in the films Resident Evil: Apocalypse and Resident Evil: Extinction. In the comedies Uncle Buck and The Upshaws, he played the lead role.
Mike Epps’ Net Worth
Mike Epps is a comedian, actor, producer, musician, and rap artist from the United States, and he also has a net worth of $5 million.
Most people are aware of Mike Epps due to his appearances as a stand-up comedian on the “Def Comedy Jam” tour and his collaborations with Ice Cube in the “Friday” movie series.
Mike Epps’ Early Life
Epps is the son of Mary Reed and Tommie Epps, both of whom have passed away. Epps was born and raised in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, in the United States of America.
Epps uprooted his adult life and moved to Brooklyn so that he could take part in the Def Comedy Jam in 1994.
Mike Epps’ Career as a Stand-up Comedy
In 1995, Epps took part in the Def Comedy Jam tour, considered the beginning of his professional career. Additionally, he played a leading role in two show episodes broadcast on HBO.
Mike Epps’ Film Career
Epps made her film debut in Strays, Vin Diesel’s second directorial effort, in 1997. The sequel, Next Friday, starred Epps alongside Ice Cube in 1999. Ice Cube asked Epps to audition for the role of Day-Day Jones after seeing him perform a stand-up routine. This was the result of weeks of auditions. Later that year, Epps appeared in 3 Strikes and Baited alongside Jamie Foxx.
Epps appeared as Sonny the Bear in the 2001 film Dr. Dolittle 2, and he finished the year as the zany pimp Baby Powder in Method Man and Redman’s How High. Epps and Ice Cube reunited in 2002’s All About the Benjamins, with Epps playing the clumsy thief to Cube’s bounty hunter.
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They later collaborated again in Friday’s second sequel, Friday After Next. After Martin Lawrence declined the role, Epps lent his voice to another bear character (Boog) in the 2008 film Open Season 2. In addition to hosting the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards, Epps released a stand-up comedy special called Under Rated & Never Faded in 2010.
In the 2012 remake of Sparkle, which also starred Jordin Sparks and Whitney Houston, Epps played Satin, a stand-up comic by day and evil and abusive drug lord by night who is having an affair with the titular character’s sister. Epps’ first non-comedic role was in this film.
Both critics and viewers praised Epps’ performance. In 2014, Epps was cast as Richard Pryor in the much-anticipated Lee Daniels-directed Pryor biopic, but the project has remained in development limbo.
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In the 2016 Nina Simone biopic Nina, Epps played Pryor, and he will reprise the role in an upcoming HBO drama series about the Los Angeles Lakers.
Epps appeared in the 2016 comedy horror film Meet the Blacks and its sequel, The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2. He also played the title character in the one-season 2016 sitcom Uncle Buck. He has been a member of the main cast of Netflix’s The Upshaws since 2021.
Mike Epps’ Controversies
Disability activists have chastised Epps for making fun of physically and mentally challenged children in his stand-up routine. On June 1, 2014, in front of the Uptown Comedy Club, Epps allegedly assaulted fellow stand-up comedian LaVar Walker.
According to reports, Epps and two of his bodyguards committed this act in response to Walker’s parody video about Epps and comedian Kevin Hart. One of the other two men allegedly threw the victim’s cell phone and broke his glasses, while Epps kicked him in the stomach, back, and face.
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Two days later, on June 3, Atlanta Police issued an arrest warrant for Epps. Epps faced backlash after bringing a kangaroo onto the stage during one of his shows in the middle of 2017.
Many people noticed how distressed the animal appeared as Epps grabbed and restrained it against its will. Epps later expressed regret, claiming that his actions were spontaneous and that he would never harm an animal.
Mike Epps’ Personal Life
Epps is married to Kyra Robinson, an Iyanla: Fix My Life producer and OWN Network executive. Epps and Robinson married in Newport Beach, California, in June 2019.
After their previous relationship ended, Epps married Mechelle McCain in July 2006. Epps and McCain cohabited in Beverly Hills, California, until their divorce in September 2017.
In a 2019 G.Q. interview, Epps denied the persistent rumor that he is related to fellow actor Omar Epps, stating, “Are Omar Epps and Mike Epps related? No, I think we have the same master.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Omar Epps and Mike Epps, Are They Related?
Thanks to a tweet, people were shocked to learn that Mike Epps and Omar Epps are first cousins. Although there have long been rumors linking the two via their mothers, the Next Friday actor clarified the situation in a 2019 interview with G.Q.
What Made Mike Epps Famous?
Mike Epps rose to become one of the group’s brightest stars. He gained notoriety in the comedy scene, but in 2000, he got what he called his “biggest break” when he was cast in the blockbuster movie Next Friday, according to Jessica Williams-Gibson of the Indianapolis Recorder.
How Much is 2020 Mike Epps Worth?
What are Mike Epps’ earnings and net worth? American comedian, actor, producer, musician, and rap artist Mike Epps has a $5 million net worth.