# Mike Epps
**Mike Epps** (born 1970, full name Michael Elliot Epps) is an American stand-up comedian and actor from [Indianapolis](https://www.edgepedia.org/indianapolis), Indiana, known for playing Day-Day in the Friday sequels *Next Friday* and *Friday After Next*, for the role of Black Doug in *The Hangover*, and for starring in and executive producing the Netflix sitcom *The Upshaws*.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0258402/) • [2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mike_epps)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970, Indianapolis, Indiana; birth name Michael Elliot Epps[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0258402/) • [3](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/mike-epps/credits/3030401043/) |
| Breakthrough | Television debut on *Russell Simmons Presents Def Comedy Jam* (HBO) in 1995; later hosted episodes of the show[2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mike_epps) |
| Signature film roles | Day-Day in *Next Friday* (2000) and *Friday After Next* (2002); Black Doug in *The Hangover* (2009); L.J. in *Resident Evil: Apocalypse* (2004) and *Resident Evil: Extinction* (2007)[2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mike_epps) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0258402/) |
| Television | Stars as Bennie Upshaw in *The Upshaws* and serves as its executive producer (2021–2026, 39 episodes)[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0258402/) |
| Netflix specials | Five hour-long specials for the streaming service, including *Only One Mike* (2019), *Indiana Mike* (2022), *Ready to Sell Out* (2024), and *Delusional* (2026)[4](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/netflix/new-netflix-shows-and-movies-january-19-feb-1-2026) • [5](https://media.netflix.com/en/only-on-netflix/81900681) |
| Memoir | *Unsuccessful Thug: One Comedian's Journey from Naptown to Tinseltown* (2018)[6](https://www.dead-frog.com/comedians/comic/mike-epps) |
## Early life and start in comedy
Epps was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, into a large family, and began performing stand-up as a teenager.[7](https://mikeepps.com/biography/) According to a scholarly profile, he moved to Atlanta as a teenager to escape the dangers of what the author calls extra-legal entrepreneurialism; his own biography says he worked at the Comedy Act Theater in Atlanta before moving to New York City to star in *Def Comedy Jam* in 1995.[8](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-026-09728-w) • [7](https://mikeepps.com/biography/) The HBO showcase helped discover comedians including [Martin Lawrence](https://www.edgepedia.org/martin-lawrence), Chris Tucker, and [Bernie Mac](https://www.edgepedia.org/bernie-mac), and Epps's performance there brought him national recognition.[9](https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/on-stage/american-comic-mike-epps-a-lot-of-people-don-t-understand-that-show-business-comes-with-a-lot-1.620078?videoId=5617228702001) • [8](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-026-09728-w)
His first film role came in *Strays* (1997), [Vin Diesel](https://www.edgepedia.org/vin-diesel)'s directorial debut.[2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mike_epps) In 1999 he appeared in the second episode of *The Sopranos*, as a petty criminal punished by [Tony Soprano](https://www.edgepedia.org/tony-soprano) for stealing a car.[7](https://mikeepps.com/biography/) • [9](https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/on-stage/american-comic-mike-epps-a-lot-of-people-don-t-understand-that-show-business-comes-with-a-lot-1.620078?videoId=5617228702001)
## Film career
**The Friday franchise.** Epps's first major acting break came when he was cast opposite Ice Cube in the sequel *Next Friday* (2000), playing Day-Day, cousin of Cube's Craig character from the original *Friday* (1995).[2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mike_epps) He reprised the role in the Christmas-themed *Friday After Next* (2002) and teamed with Ice Cube again in *All About the Benjamins* (2002) and *The Janky Promoters* (2009).[2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mike_epps) IMDb lists a fourth film, *Last Friday*, in pre-production with Epps in the role of Craig Jones.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0258402/)
He worked steadily through the 2000s: *Bait* and *3 Strikes* (2000), the stoner comedy *How High* (2001) with [Method Man](https://www.edgepedia.org/method-man) and Redman, the Ed Norton role in the 2005 remake of *The Honeymooners*, the Petey Green biopic *Talk to Me* (2007), and *Next Day Air* (2009).[2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mike_epps) • [7](https://mikeepps.com/biography/) He played L.J. in two *Resident Evil* films opposite [Milla Jovovich](https://www.edgepedia.org/milla-jovovich), and appeared as the drug dealer Black Doug in the blockbuster comedy *The Hangover* (2009), returning for *The Hangover Part III* (2013).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0258402/) • [2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mike_epps)
Later film work ranged across comedy and drama. He played the abusive comedian Satin in *Sparkle* (2012), appeared in *Dolemite Is My Name* (2019) as Jimmy Lynch, the buddy of [Rudy Ray Moore](https://www.edgepedia.org/rudy-ray-moore) played by [Eddie Murphy](https://www.edgepedia.org/eddie-murphy), and took roles in *The Last Black Man in San Francisco* (2019), *Troop Zero* (2019), *On the Come Up* (2022), *You People* (2023), and *Madame Web* (2024).[2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mike_epps) On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, his highest-rated film is *Dolemite Is My Name* at 97 percent and his lowest is *Acts of Violence* (2018) at 0 percent.[2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mike_epps)
## Television and producing
After a recurring role on *Survivor's Remorse* (Starz, 2014–17) and the title role on the short-lived ABC sitcom *Uncle Buck* (2016), Epps took the lead role of Bennie Upshaw in *The Upshaws*, a Netflix family comedy co-starring [Kim Fields](https://www.edgepedia.org/kim-fields) and [Wanda Sykes](https://www.edgepedia.org/wanda-sykes).[2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mike_epps) • [10](https://youmark-images.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WHAT-NEXT_-Netflix-Line-Up-2026-1.pdf) The series, a breakout hit upon its 2021 debut, returned for a final season on January 15, 2026, with Epps credited as executive producer on 39 episodes.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0258402/) • [11](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Mike-Epps/) His producing credits also include *The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2* (2021) and the Netflix special *Delusional* (2026).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0258402/)
## Stand-up specials
Epps has continued touring and recording throughout his film career. His specials include *Under Rated... Never Faded & X-Rated* (Showtime, 2009), *Don't Take It Personal*, *Only One Mike* (Netflix, 2019), *Indiana Mike* (Netflix, 2022), and *Ready to Sell Out* (Netflix, 2024).[12](https://ir.paramount.com/static-files/a46cc28f-d9db-4b83-b738-353218b2c598) • [3](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/mike-epps/credits/3030401043/) *Indiana Mike*, his third Netflix offering, was filmed at the Walker Theatre in his hometown of Indianapolis and streamed from March 29, 2022; critics received it poorly, with a 10 percent Tomatometer score from one review.[13](https://mikeepps.com/home/) • [14](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mike_epps_indiana_mike)
His fifth Netflix special, *Delusional*, premiered on January 27, 2026.[5](https://media.netflix.com/en/only-on-netflix/81900681) In its debut week it became his biggest Netflix opening, outpacing the initial viewership of *Ready to Sell Out*, and it reached the top 10 while *The Upshaws* ranked as the No. 5 English-language TV show that week with nearly 4 million views.[15](https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/tv/netflix-ratings-mike-epps-delusional-the-upshaws/) Reviewers noted a second half devoted to autobiography: how a 1989 stay in a Marion County jail cell preceded his move into comedy, along with material on his twenty years of sobriety.[16](https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/10/mike-epps-delusional-netflix) • [17](https://readysteadycut.com/2026/01/27/mike-epps-delusional-review/) "Delusion comes from trauma," Epps told Axios. "It comes from not being accepted. So whatever you gotta do to make it, to become who you need to become, stay delusional."[16](https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/10/mike-epps-delusional-netflix)
## Live touring
Epps tours arenas between filming.[7](https://mikeepps.com/biography/) In 2025 he ran the second year of the "We Them Ones" stand-up tour, which paired established comics with performers who built followings through viral social media skits, including Dyon Brooks (Mojo Brookzz), Kountry Wayne, and Haha Davis; the tour wrapped in May 2025 with dates at [State Farm Arena](https://www.edgepedia.org/state-farm-arena) in Atlanta and Dolby Live in Las Vegas.[18](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/12/mike-epps-star-studded-comedy-tour)
## Reception and scholarly attention
A 2026 open-access study in the *Journal of African American Studies* by Adam B. Banks of the Department of Comparative Studies at [Ohio State University](https://www.edgepedia.org/ohio-state-university) described Epps as "a pillar in black comedy," citing more than one hundred television programs and feature films, hosting of *Def Comedy Jam*, and several self-featuring stand-up specials.[8](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-026-09728-w) The essay analyzes his material on disability and subjectivity, arguing that his jokes prompt audiences to examine whether they are "laughing at or laughing with" the people he portrays.[8](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-026-09728-w)
Critical reception of his specials has been mixed. Reviewers have praised his energy and charisma while faulting some specials' structure; the Decider review of *Indiana Mike* found it of limited interest outside Indianapolis, while reviews of *Delusional* called it uneven early but strongest in its personal second half.[14](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mike_epps_indiana_mike) • [16](https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/10/mike-epps-delusional-netflix)
## Personal life
Epps married Kyra Robinson on June 23, 2019; they have two children, and he was previously married to Mechelle McCain.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0258402/) In March 2023, [Transportation Security Administration](https://www.edgepedia.org/transportation-security-administration) officers seized a loaded [Smith & Wesson](https://www.edgepedia.org/smith-and-wesson) .38-caliber pistol from his carry-on bag at Indianapolis International Airport. Epps was not arrested, posted an apology on Instagram saying he had forgotten the weapon after a hometown show, and no charges were filed; the case was referred to the Marion County prosecutor's office.[19](https://apnews.com/article/e9e47148a7fa53b5fb8f4977f22c6a0b) • [20](https://apnews.com/article/6267264c9d0499d7cb14d5126c553867)
## References
1. [Mike Epps, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0258402/)
2. [Mike Epps, Rotten Tomatoes celebrity page](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mike_epps)
3. [Mike Epps List of Movies and TV Shows, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/mike-epps/credits/3030401043/)
4. [Netflix new releases, Tom's Guide (Jan. 26–Feb. 1, 2026)](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/netflix/new-netflix-shows-and-movies-january-19-feb-1-2026)
5. [Mike Epps: Delusional, Netflix Media Center](https://media.netflix.com/en/only-on-netflix/81900681)
6. [Mike Epps, Stand-Up Comedy Database (Dead-Frog)](https://www.dead-frog.com/comedians/comic/mike-epps)
7. [Biography, The Official Website of Mike Epps](https://mikeepps.com/biography/)
8. [Banks, A. B. (2026). From the 'R' Word to the 'S' Word: Mike Epps's Comedic Commentary on Subjectivity. Journal of African American Studies 30, 6–18.](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-026-09728-w)
9. [American comic Mike Epps interview, The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/on-stage/american-comic-mike-epps-a-lot-of-people-don-t-understand-that-show-business-comes-with-a-lot-1.620078?videoId=5617228702001)
10. [WHAT NEXT? Netflix Line Up 2026](https://youmark-images.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WHAT-NEXT_-Netflix-Line-Up-2026-1.pdf)
11. [Mike Epps news, BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Mike-Epps/)
12. [BET press release: Mike Epps as host of the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards](https://ir.paramount.com/static-files/a46cc28f-d9db-4b83-b738-353218b2c598)
13. [The Official Website of Mike Epps, home page](https://mikeepps.com/home/)
14. [Mike Epps: Indiana Mike, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mike_epps_indiana_mike)
15. [Mike Epps Leads Netflix Ratings With The Upshaws and Delusional, TheWrap](https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/tv/netflix-ratings-mike-epps-delusional-the-upshaws/)
16. [Mike Epps elevates "Delusional" with emotional depth, Axios Indianapolis](https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/10/mike-epps-delusional-netflix)
17. [Mike Epps: Delusional Review, Ready Steady Cut](https://readysteadycut.com/2026/01/27/mike-epps-delusional-review/)
18. [Mike Epps passes baton to new-era comics in star-studded comedy tour, Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/12/mike-epps-star-studded-comedy-tour)
19. [TSA agents seize gun from actor Mike Epps in Indianapolis, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/e9e47148a7fa53b5fb8f4977f22c6a0b)
20. [Actor Mike Epps apologizes after TSA seizes gun at airport, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/6267264c9d0499d7cb14d5126c553867)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Theater and dance › Stand-up comedy and comedians › American stand-up comedians, contemporary › Stand-up comedians born 1970–1979*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 20, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license