Mike Epps

Michael Elliot Epps[1] is an American stand-up comedian, actor, film producer, writer, and rapper. He is best known for playing Day-Day Jones in Next Friday and its sequel, Friday After Next, and also appearing in The Hangover as "Black Doug". He was the voice of Boog in Open Season 2 (replacing Martin Lawrence). As of 2010, Epps was the executive producer on a documentary about the life story of a former member of Tupac Shakur's Outlawz, Napoleon: Life of an Outlaw. He is also known for playing Lloyd Jefferson "L.J." Wade in Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) and Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) respectively.

Mike Epps
Epps in 2013 in Houston, Texas
Birth name	Michael Elliot Epps
Born	November 18, 1970 (age 49) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Medium	Film television stand-up
Nationality	American
Years active	1989–present
Genres	Black comedy observational comedy satire
Spouse	Mechelle McCain (2006–2017) Kyra Robinson (2019-)
Children	6
Website	www.mikeepps.com

Early life

Epps was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Mary Reed and Tommy Epps.[2][3] In his adulthood Epps moved to Brooklyn to star in Def Comedy Jam in 1994. Epps ended up on the Def Comedy Jam tour and starred in two of HBO's Def Comedy Jam broadcasts.[4]

Career

Stand-up comedy

Epps began his professional career by joining the Def Comedy Jam tour in 1995 and starred in two of HBO's Def Comedy Jam broadcasts. He has been criticized by disability campaigners for mocking physically and mentally disabled children.[5]

Film career

Epps' first on-screen appearance came in Vin Diesel's directorial debut, Strays in 1997. In 1999, Epps was then cast as Ice Cube's co-star (effectively, Chris Tucker's replacement) in the sequel, Next Friday. This came after weeks of auditions after Ice Cube attended a stand-up set Epps did, and then asked Epps to try out for the role of Day-Day Jones. His role as Day-Day Jones was a breakthrough for the new actor, who was already familiar to much of the audience from his stand-up work . Later that year, Epps had a cameo in 3 Strikes, and supported Jamie Foxx in Bait.

Epps had a voice role in the 2001 movie Dr. Dolittle 2 as Sonny the Bear and finished the year with a featured role as comical pimp Baby Powder in How High, starring Method Man and Redman. Epps reunited with Ice Cube in 2002 as the bumbling thief to Ice Cube's bounty hunter in All About the Benjamins, and again re-teamed with Cube in Friday's second sequel Friday After Next. Epps also voiced another bear character (Boog) in the 2008 film Open Season 2 after Martin Lawrence declined the role. In 2010, Epps also released a stand-up comedy special, Under Rated & Never Faded, and hosted the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards. Epps' name has become synonymous with a particular style of humor, through his appearance with several other African-American artists in the same genre. Aside from featuring Cube, the common thread of these films was the hilarious prominence of marijuana-smoking comic characters, like the ones portrayed by Epps.

Epps most recently starred alongside Jordin Sparks and Whitney Houston in the 2012 remake of Sparkle, in his first non-comedic role as the main antagonist, Satin, a stand-up comic by day, an evil and abusive drug kingpin by night, who is engaged in an affair with the titular character's sister. Epps' performance was well received by critics and audiences. Epps is currently working on a baseball-themed movie, entitled Bad Behavior, alongside teen quartet Mindless Behavior, in which he plays their coach, André Parker. On August 26, 2014, it was announced that Epps landed the coveted role of Richard Pryor in the upcoming biopic directed by Lee Daniels,[6] despite Nick Cannon very publicly campaigning for the role and Pryor's family stating that Marlon Wayans or Terrence Howard should get the role.[7] Epps will star alongside Oprah Winfrey, who will play Pryor's abusive grandmother Marie Carter.[8]

Music

Epps had a small part in the 2007 song A Bay Bay by Hurricane Chris, doing the Rick James move. He appeared in the music video "Gangsta Nation" by Westside Connection. He also hosted a Jim Jones and Skull Gang album entitled Jim Jones & Skull Gang Present A Tribute To Bad Santa Starring Mike Epps. Epps has also made a song called "Trying to Be a Gangsta" with Pooh Bear.

Epps also hosted G Unit's 2008 mixtape Elephant In The Sand, appearing on the track Hollow Thru Him. Epps also has a song called "Big Girls", which came out in 2008. It was originally recorded by Bow Wow featuring Yung Joc. The song is currently on iTunes and can be found on his album, Funny Bidness: Da Album, which was released October 27, 2009. Epps also has featured in rapper French Montana's Mac Wit Da Cheese mixtape, which was released on April 19, 2009. Epps is also featured on the Dom Kennedy song "Intro/Hard Work" on his FutureStreet/DrugSounds mixtape.[9]

Part of his stand-up comedy in Under Rated & Never Faded was sampled for the song "I'm On Everything" by Bad Meets Evil on their first EP, Hell: The Sequel[10] and on the track "Runaway", from J. Cole's second album Born Sinner. Mike Epps was also known in his hometown of Indianapolis as the CEO of Naptown Records. In 2006 he signed local artist Philthyphil. This artist had just been released from prison after serving three years for a drug indictment in which he was the suspected distributor of large amounts of narcotics. The record deal which was reportedly worth $175,000 was later terminated after Phillip "Philthyphil" White was charged with first degree murder in Oakland, CA in 2007.[11] Reports state that Phillip "Philthyphil" White was also said to be the sole mastermind behind the drug distribution which ran as far as Atlanta, Georgia and his hometown of Muncie, Indiana. Epps appears in the Tee Grizzley music video of "No Effort".[12] He also appears in 21 Savage's "Bank Account" music video.[13]

Super Bowl XLVI

Epps served as the "Super Bowl ambassador" in his native Indianapolis for the 2012 Super Bowl. He was featured in commercials promoting the Super Bowl Village and he made special appearances in the Village during the week of the Super Bowl.[14]

2014 Atlanta incident

On June 1, 2014, Epps purportedly assaulted fellow stand-up comedian LaVar Walker outside of the Uptown Comedy Club. It was stated Epps and two of his bodyguards did this in response to Walker making a parody video about Epps and comedian Kevin Hart. Epps allegedly struck him in the face and kicked him in the stomach and back, while one of the other two men threw the victim's cellphone and crushed his prescription glasses. Atlanta Police issued a warrant for Epps' arrest two days later on June 3.[15]

Kangaroo incident

Around mid-2017, Epps received criticism for bringing a kangaroo onto the stage during one of his shows. Many noted the animal looked distressed, with Epps grabbing and holding it against its will. Epps later apologized, saying it was completely unscripted and that he would never hurt an animal.[16]

Personal life

Epps is married to OWN Network executive and Iyanla: Fix My Life producer Kyra Robinson.[17] Epps and Robinson married in Newport Beach, California in June 2019.[18] Epps was previously married to Mechelle McCain, whom he married in July 2006. Epps and McCain lived in Beverly Hills, California together until they divorced in September 2017.[19]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Note
1997	Strays	Mikeys
2000	Next Friday	Day-Day Jones
2000	3 Strikes	Crackhead
2000	Bait	Stevie Sanders
2001	Dr. Dolittle 2	Sonny (Kodiak Bear)	Voice only Credited as Michael E. Epps
2001	How High	Baby Powder
2002	All About the Benjamins	Reginald Wright	Credited as Michael Epps
2002	Friday After Next	Day-Day Jones / Old Man with Shotgun
2003	Malibu's Most Wanted	DJ at club
2003	The Fighting Temptations	Lucius
2004	Still 'Bout It	Bobby Ray
2004	Resident Evil: Apocalypse	Lloyd Jefferson "L.J." Wade
2005	The Honeymooners	Ed Norton
2005	Roll Bounce	Byron
2006	Something New	Walter
2007	Talk to Me	Milo Hughes
2007	Resident Evil: Extinction	Lloyd Jefferson "L.J." Wade
2008	Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins	Reggie Jenkins
2008	Hancock	Criminal	Uncredited cameo
2008	Shelly Fisher	Esquire Jones
2008	Bigg Snoop Dogg Presents: The Adventures of Tha Blue Carpet Treatment
2008	Soul Men	Duane Henderson
2008	Open Season 2	Boog	Direct-to-video Voice only
2009	Next Day Air	Brody
2009	The Hangover	Black Doug
2009	Janky Promoters	Jellyroll
2010	Love Chronicles: Secrets Revealed	Thomas Black
2010	Lottery Ticket	Reverend Taylor
2010	Ghetto Stories	Lawn Service Worker	Cameo
2010	Faster	Grone
2011	Jumping the Broom	Willie Earl	NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
2012	Sparkle	Satin Struthers
2012	Mac & Devin Go to High School	Mr. Armstrong
2013	The Hangover Part III	Black Doug
2014	Repentance	Ben Carter
2014	School Dance	Principal Rodgers
2015	Bessie	Richard
2015	Mike Epps: Don't Take It Personal	Himself	Stand-up comedy special
2015	Stealing Cars	Sheriff Till
2015	7th and Westlake	Guy
2016	Nina	Richard Pryor
2016	Meet the Blacks	Carl Black
2016	Fifty Shades of Black	Ron Steale	Hannah's father
2016	Term Life	Daryl Mosley
2016	What are the Chances?	Next Door Neighbor
2017	Girls Trip	Seller
2017	Where's the Money	Dre Goodlow
2018	Acts of Violence	Max Livington
2018	Death Wish	Dr. Chris Salgado
2018	Love Jacked	Rufus
2018	Supercon (film)	Gil Bartell
2018	Don't Get Caught	The Next Door Neighbor
2018	Uncle Drew	Louis
2019	Meet the Blacks 2: The House Next Door	Carl Black
2019	The Last Black Man in San Francisco	Bobby
2019	The Cat and the Moon	Cal
2019	Troop Zero	Dwayne Boudraux
2019	The Trap	Dutch	Internet release
2019	Dolemite Is My Name	Jimmy Lynch
2020	Last Friday	Day-Day Jones

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1999	The Sopranos	Jerome
1999	Pimps Up, Ho's Down
2002	All About the Stunts
2005	106 & Park	1 episode
2005	Letter to the President
1995–2006	Def Comedy Jam	5 episodes
2006	Inappropriate Behavior
2006	The Unsuccessful Thug
2006	The Boondocks	Moe "Mo Gunz" Jackson
2009–2012	BET Hip Hop Awards	Himself/Host
2013	Wild 'n Out	Himself
2014	Ridiculouness	Himself/L.J.
2014–2015	Survivor's Remorse	Uncle Julius
2015	That's Racist with Mike Epps	Himself
2016	Uncle Buck	Buck Russell
2019	How High 2	Baby Powder	Television film[20]
2020	BlackAF	Uncle Ray	1 episode

Music videos

• "Whatchulookinat" – Whitney Houston
• "Ay Bay Bay" – Hurricane Chris
• "Gangsta Nation" – Westside Connection
• "Why We Thugs" – Ice Cube
• "What You Know" – T.I.
• "ASAP" – T.I.
• "Never Forget" – Napoleon
• "I'm Lit" – Square Off
• "I Don't Know Y'all" – Young Dro
• "Mrs. Right" – Mindless Behavior featuring Diggy Simmons
• "Nothin'" – NORE
• "I'm on Everything" – Bad Meets Evil
• "How Come You Don't Call Me" – Alicia Keys
• "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" – Kendrick Lamar
• "I Was Your Baby"- Angie Stone
• "No Flex Zone!" – Rae Sremmurd
• "Ayo" – Chris Brown and Tyga
• "No Effort" – Tee Grizzley
• "Bank Account" – 21 Savage
• "Let Bygones Be Bygones" – Snoop Dogg

Discography

Studio albums

• Funny Bidness: Da Album (2009)

Collaboration albums

• A Tribute to Bad Santa Starring Mike Epps (with Jim Jones & Skull Gang) (2008)
• Omar Ray Life & Timez of Suge Gotti, Vol. 1 (2012)

Guest Appearances

• 2009: "I'm a Go and Get My..." with (Busta Rhymes) on Back on My B.S.
• 2016: "2011 BET Cypha" with (Termanology, French Montana, Wais P, Rico Staxx, & Cross) on Cameo King III

Singles

• "Big Girls" (2008)
• "Trying to Be a Gangsta" (2009)
• "Aint Chu You?" (2009)

References

1. "Mike Epps Biography". TVGuide.com. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
2. Bonnie Britton, "Epps offers encouragement", Indianapolis Star, January 20, 2000.
3. Bonnie Britton, "Mike Epps is our homie, not Gary's, actor's dad says", Indianapolis Star, September 24, 2000.
4. Mike Epps. VSU Multi-Purpose Center (October 13, 2017). Retrieved on 2020-03-17.
5. ABA Publishing. Americanbar.org. Retrieved on March 17, 2020.
6. "Richard Pryor Movie – Mike Epps Gets the Lead, Not Nick Cannon". TMZ. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
7. "Richard Pryor Jr.: Nick Cannon Should Play My Dad ... If I Can't (VIDEO)". TMZ. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
8. "Oprah Winfrey – I'm Gonna Be a Whorehouse Madam in Richard Pryor Movie". TMZ. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
9. DOM KENNEDY Mike Epps. Youtube
10. (New Music) Eminem Feat. Royce Da 5'9 – I'm On Everything Archived April 15, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. JustShady.com (May 27, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-09-01.
11. "Man shot to death Friday night while driving car in East Oakland". East Bay Times. June 30, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
12. "Tee Grizzley Shares "No Effort" Video With Mike Epps". The FADER. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
13. Mike Epps Carries Around Enormous Teddy Bear in 21 Savage's 'Bank Account' Video. Billboard. Retrieved on March 17, 2020.
14. Super Bowl Village Archived January 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
15. "Arrest Warrant Issued For Mike Epps – Black America Web". Black America Web. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
16. "US entertainer Mike Epps apologises after bringing kangaroo on stage in Detroit – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. April 4, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
17. Mike Epps Weds Kyra Robinson In Star-Studded Ceremony. MadameNoire. Retrieved on March 17, 2020.
18. Grant, Jasmine. (June 24, 2019) Mike Epps and Kyra Robinson Are Married!. Essence. Retrieved on 2020-03-17.
19. Mike Epps’s Wife Puts Him on Blast Again Over Their Messy Divorce | Mike Epps | Celebrities. BET (May 18, 2017). Retrieved on 2020-03-17.
20. Petski, Denise; Andreeva, Nellie (March 7, 2019). "'How High 2': Mike Epps To Reprise Baby Powder Role In MTV Sequel; Premiere Date Set". Deadline Hollywood.

External links

• Official website
• Mike Epps on IMDb