Life in Film: Mike Epps

Check out the BET Experience performer's rise to fame.

Next Friday - Comedian Mike Epps made his way from the stand up scene to the acting world and got his first break as Chris Tucker’s replacement in the Friday series. Epps played Day-Day in Next Friday, alongside rapper Ice Cube. “I made a joke, making people think that I was upset [about constantly being referred to as my character, Day-Day],” said Epps. “But, really, I love that people remember me for such a classic film.”

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Next Friday - Comedian Mike Epps made his way from the stand up scene to the acting world and got his first break as Chris Tucker’s replacement in the Friday series. Epps played Day-Day in Next Friday, alongside rapper Ice Cube. “I made a joke, making people think that I was upset [about constantly being referred to as my character, Day-Day],” said Epps. “But, really, I love that people remember me for such a classic film.”

3 Strikes - After breaking on the big screen in Next Friday, Epps scored a cameo in the DJ Pooh film 3 Strikes, which had a diverse cast ranging from Meagan Good to rapper E-40.

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3 Strikes - After breaking on the big screen in Next Friday, Epps scored a cameo in the DJ Pooh film 3 Strikes, which had a diverse cast ranging from Meagan Good to rapper E-40.

How High - In 2001, Epps played a pimp named Baby Power for the comedy How High. The film, which starred Method Man and Redman, ranked third in Entertainment Weekly's "Best Stoner Movie" list. Unfortunately, regarding the possibility of a How High 2, Epps said: “No offense to anybody--Redman, Method Man or anyone on the project, but I’m really trying to move on and get some opportunities where I get to show my acting chops.”

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How High - In 2001, Epps played a pimp named Baby Power for the comedy How High. The film, which starred Method Man and Redman, ranked third in Entertainment Weekly's "Best Stoner Movie" list. Unfortunately, regarding the possibility of a How High 2, Epps said: “No offense to anybody--Redman, Method Man or anyone on the project, but I’m really trying to move on and get some opportunities where I get to show my acting chops.”

All About the Benjamins - Epps teamed up with Ice Cube once again for the 2002 film All About the Benjamins.

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All About the Benjamins - Epps teamed up with Ice Cube once again for the 2002 film All About the Benjamins.

The Friday After Next - The third installment of the Friday franchise, Friday After Next, featured Epps, Ice Cube, John Witherspoon and the debut of comedian Katt Williams as Money Mike.

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The Friday After Next - The third installment of the Friday franchise, Friday After Next, featured Epps, Ice Cube, John Witherspoon and the debut of comedian Katt Williams as Money Mike.

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The Fighting Temptations - Epps was the highlight in the MTV romantic-comedy The Fighting Temptations as Lucious, a “Bootyologist." The film also featured Academy Award-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyoncé.

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The Fighting Temptations - Epps was the highlight in the MTV romantic-comedy The Fighting Temptations as Lucious, a “Bootyologist." The film also featured Academy Award-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyoncé.

The Honeymooners - One of Epps' more prominent roles was in the 2005 remake of  The Honeymooners. Epps played Ed Norton alongside Cedric The Entertainer, who played Ralph. “I hadn’t seen any episodes of The Honeymooners," Epps confessed during an interview. "When I got the role, I got into it. I went out and bought 100 of the lost episodes. I watched about 10 of them.”

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The Honeymooners - One of Epps' more prominent roles was in the 2005 remake of  The Honeymooners. Epps played Ed Norton alongside Cedric The Entertainer, who played Ralph. “I hadn’t seen any episodes of The Honeymooners," Epps confessed during an interview. "When I got the role, I got into it. I went out and bought 100 of the lost episodes. I watched about 10 of them.”

Roll Bounce - In the Malcolm D. Lee directed Roll Bounce, Epps had a supporting role in the roller-skating dramedy that featured Bow Wow, Chi McBridge and Jurnee Smollett. On Lee, Epps commented: “I’m always fishing for a good director who understands, hey, we have a comedian in the movie. So you have to let him do what he do.”

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Roll Bounce - In the Malcolm D. Lee directed Roll Bounce, Epps had a supporting role in the roller-skating dramedy that featured Bow Wow, Chi McBridge and Jurnee Smollett. On Lee, Epps commented: “I’m always fishing for a good director who understands, hey, we have a comedian in the movie. So you have to let him do what he do.”

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins - Director Malcolm D. Lee cast Epps again for a bigger role in Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins alongside fellow comedians Martin Lawrence and Mo’Nique. About Lawrence, Epps said: “He was real cool: unselfish, played the big brother/leader role for real. He just let me do what I wanted to do.”

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Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins - Director Malcolm D. Lee cast Epps again for a bigger role in Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins alongside fellow comedians Martin Lawrence and Mo’Nique. About Lawrence, Epps said: “He was real cool: unselfish, played the big brother/leader role for real. He just let me do what I wanted to do.”

Jumping the Broom - Mike Epps starred with Loretta Devine, Paula Patton and Angela Bassett in T.D. Jakes' Jumping the Broom, which is released on DVD today. Back in the first week of May, the Salim Akil-directed film topped the box office as the number-one comedy in the country. “It’s an inspirational movie that I think a lot of people--common folk--are going to relate to,” said Epps. “It’s feel good and it’s fun.”

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Jumping the Broom - Mike Epps starred with Loretta Devine, Paula Patton and Angela Bassett in T.D. Jakes' Jumping the Broom, which is released on DVD today. Back in the first week of May, the Salim Akil-directed film topped the box office as the number-one comedy in the country. “It’s an inspirational movie that I think a lot of people--common folk--are going to relate to,” said Epps. “It’s feel good and it’s fun.”