Mike Epps
A high-energy comedian whose everyman charm and sharp timing made him a staple of early 2000s urban comedy franchises.
Born 1970 (age 56)·American actor and comedian·Birthday: November 18·Generation X
Biography
Mike Epps was cast as Ice Cube's hapless cousin Day-Day in 'Next Friday,' a role that launched his film career. Born in 1970, he honed his comedy in the tough clubs of Atlanta and New York, developing a raw, observational style that caught Def Comedy Jam's attention. He brought relatable frustration and physical humor to his characters in film and on stage. His range extends from voice work in 'Open Season' sequels to dramatic turns in 'Resident Evil.' Epps evolved from a stand-up sensation to a reliable film and television presence.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Mike was born in 1970, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mike Was Born
The biggest hits of 1970
#1 Movie
Love Story
Best Picture
Patton
#1 TV Show
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Mike's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1970Born
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1975Started school
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1983Became a teenager
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1986Could drive
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1988Could vote
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1991Turned 21
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
2000Turned 30
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2010Turned 40
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 50
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 56 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as Day-Day Jones in the hit comedy films 'Next Friday' and 'Friday After Next'.
- Performed voice acting as the lead character Boog in 'Open Season 2' and 'Open Season 3'.
- Portrayed the character Black Doug in 'The Hangover' film series.
- Headlined his own Netflix comedy special, 'Mike Epps: Only One Mike'.
Did You Know?
He worked as a stand-up comedian on the 'Def Comedy Jam' tour in the 1990s.
Epps was originally considered for the role of Bubba in 'Forrest Gump' before it went to Mykelti Williamson.
He is a passionate collector of classic cars.
“Comedy comes from the truth of the struggle, from the corner not the penthouse.”
