With all that backstory, Epps took the stage at Parx Xcite with the irreverent, long-form storytelling inspiration of Pryor at his back. Along with appearing in the top-money-making R rated comic film of all time, The Hangover and its sequels, Epps has a Netflix special “Only One Mike,” starred alongside Eddie Murphy in “Dolemite Is My Name,” currently appears in the Netflix sitcom The Upshaws, and has portrayed the role of stand-up comedy avatar Richard Pryor on two occasions: in the 2016 Nina Simone biopic, Nina, and through the more recent HBO Max Adam McKay-produced dramedy, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.įor those keeping score, Epps was hired by Precious and Empire producer, director, and writer Lee Daniels to portray Pryor in his own filmic biography of the comic legend, a flick which is currently stuck in the seventh circle of development hell.
It’s not as if Epps hasn’t had a slew of other prestige gigs, comedically and dramatically.
