Biography
With his athletic build and masculine good looks, Omar Epps was frequently cast as sports heroes and troubled teenagers in his early film career. It was on television, however, where the actor demonstrated his range to a larger audience, largely through his work on two celebrated medical dramas. While still in his teens, Epps made his feature film debut in the urban crime drama "Juice" (1991). Receiving strong notices for his role, Epps moved …
Omar Epps SlideShow
1 - 4 of 13
Career Milestones
1983 | Began writing screenplays at age 10 (date approximate) |
1991 | TV acting debut in the "ABC Afterschool Special" entitled "In the Shadow of Love: A Teen AIDS Story" |
1992 | Guest starred as a neighborhood tough in the short-lived comedy series, "Here and Now" (NBC) |
1992 | Made feature film debut as star of the Harlem-set coming-of-age drama "Juice" |
1993 | Featured as a college football player in the controversial sports drama "The Program" |
1994 | Portrayed baseball player Willie Mays Hayes in the sequel "Major League II" |
1995 | Appeared as a former track star adjusting to the pressures and uneasy relations of college life in "Higher Learning" |
1996 | Played recurring role of Dr. Dennis Gant on the NBC medical drama "ER" |
1996 | Starred in the HBO movie "Deadly Voyage", the true story of the slaughter of stowaways on a ship bound for America |
1997 | Co-wrote the main title theme song for "The Wayans Bros." |
1997 | Played a moviegoer who came to an early end in the horror blockbuster "Scream 2" |
1997 | Starred as a reformed small-time criminal struggling to re-enter society after an heroic act in HBO's "First Time Felon" |
1999 | Essayed the role of Lincoln Hayes in the big screen version of "The Mod Squad" |
1999 | Starred in "The Wood", a drama following a group of middle-class African-Americans from youth to adulthood |
1999 | Took supporting role to Bruce Willis, Nick Nolte and Albert Finney in "Breakfast of Champions"; film screened at the Berlin and Seattle film festivals and released in Europe |
1999 | Was featured alongside Stanley Tucci and LL Cool J in the crime drama "In Too Deep" |
2000 | Acted in "Wes Craven Presents Dracula 2000" |
2000 | Appeared in the sports-themed romance "Love & Basketball" |
2000 | Co-starred with Japanese actor-director Takeshi Kitano in "Brother"; released theatrically in 2001 |
2002 | Portrayed Carl Upchurch in "Conviction," Based on a true story |
2004 | Cast as Dr. Eric Foreman on Fox's medical drama "House" |
2004 | Had leading role opposite Meg Ryan in "Against the Ropes" |
2004 | Portrayed the best friend opposite Jude Law in "Alfie," a remake of the 1960's movie that starred Michael Caine |
Awards
2001 | MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance in Love & Basketball |
2009 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in House |