By Hilarie Szarowicz, SMG
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. Now Epps will bring his talents to Grand Rapids for one show at SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 8pm. The show will also feature Rickey Smiley, DC Young Fly, Earthquake, and Lavell Crawford.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Nov. 16 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. See Ticketmaster for all current pricing and availability.
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.”
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. In 2016, 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.
Mike was seen in three seasons of the Starz series “Survivor’s Remorse” produced by LeBron James and Mike O’Malley, and he won a 2016 NAACP Image award for “Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” for his portrayal as Uncle Julius. On TV he can be seen opposite Queen Latifah in Fox’s “Star,” and he produced the first BET Social Media Awards which aired February 11. On March 28, Harper Collins released his autobiography called Unsuccessful Thug, written by Mike about his life and childhood.
