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 was seen in the Starz series “Survivor’s Remorse” produced by LeBron James and Mike O’Malley. And a summer run starring in the lead role on UNCLE BUCK for ABC television.
He recently completed an arch on the BET show “Being Mary Jane” and the Universal feature “Term Life” starring opposite Vince Vaughan and Hallie Steinfield which will be released in 2015. The film tracks Nick Barrow (Vaughn), who takes his estranged daughter (Steinfeld) on the lam when a heist goes south and he takes out a life insurance policy on himself that doesn’t take effect for 21 days. Mike plays a dirty cop who is trying to frame Vaughan’s character.
He was recently seen in HBO 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 recently won the Critics Choice Award for “best mini- series/ movie.” 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 2014 Mike concluded his Live Nation national tour “Mike Epps; After Dark.” 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?”
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