Mike Epps Net Worth, Career, and Other Facts as His New Netflix Special 'Delusional' Streams

Into the spotlight walked Mike Epps, landing at Yaamava' Resort and Casino just outside San Bernardino, bringing along 30 years of moments usually left out of shiny Hollywood tales.

Epps saw his fifth Netflix comedy show, 'Delusional,' hit screens on 27 January 2026 — 12 days after the last episode of his widely acclaimed, popular series 'The Upshaws,' which ran for five years. That moment catches him mid-step: a farewell fresh behind him, ahead lies raw material pulled straight from his roughest origins.

The Price of Early Mistakes

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Epps has accumulated approximately $5 million (£3.6 million), a figure that is not bad at all for a man once locked up in Marion County Jail, serving two full years following a drug charge back in 1989.

Born Michael Elliot Epps on 18 November 1970 in Indianapolis, Indiana, to parents Mary Reed and Tommie Epps, laughter followed him around even as a kid, like it was stuck to his shoes. His parents saw something bright in how he joked around, so they gave him the space to grow. While most teens were busy figuring out life, he stepped onto dim-lit club stages, cracking jokes instead.

When he was out on parole, Epps moved to Atlanta. There, his comedy training began at the Comedy Act Theatre, before a slow drift toward Brooklyn. A shift came by 1995: 'Def Comedy Jam' pulled him into its lineup, and two HBO specials followed soon after.

Ice Cube's Gamble That Paid Off

It started with a show. A performance late one night caught Ice Cube's attention during a visit to the Comedy Store in LA. He watched closely, then made a move. The rapper-turned-actor saw something real in Epps' delivery. That moment opened a door. Instead of just laughing in the crowd, Cube invited Epps for a screen test — for 'Next Friday' (1999), the follow-up to his earlier hit. What grew from there shaped everything.

Epps won the role of Day-Day Jones, starring in 'Friday After Next' (2002), and partnering with Cube again in 'All About the Benjamins' (2002). Reflecting on those early days in his comedy special 'Delusional', covered by Decider, he admits he wrestled with addiction during much of his climb but has now stayed sober for nearly 20 years.

His film career expanded to include 'How High' (2001) with Method Man and Redman, voice work in 'Dr. Dolittle 2' (2001), roles in multiple 'Resident Evil' films (2004-2007), and memorable appearances as 'Black Doug' in 'The Hangover' (2009) and 'The Hangover Part III' (2013).

Recognition From the Industry

Epps' work has earned critical praise beyond box office success. In 2012, he received the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his portrayal of Willie Earl in 'Jumping the Broom'.

More recently, his role as Bennie Upshaw in Netflix's 'The Upshaws' earned him the 2024 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a comedy series. He also contributes behind the scenes, helping to steer the show, which centres on a Black family from Indianapolis navigating everyday struggles. On 15 January 2026, 12 new episodes premiered — marking the fifth and final season, ending at 60 episodes altogether.

What 'Delusional' Reveals

In the new special, directed by Royale Watkins, Epps delivers what critics describe as his most personal and political material to date. He jokes about his incarceration, recounting stories from his time behind bars while weaving humour through reflections on what it took to believe success was possible.

Epps name-drops collaborators including Ice Cube and the late Bernie Mac, with whom he worked on 'Soul Men' (2008). 'Delusional' is his fifth Netflix special, following 'Don't Take It Personal' (2015), 'Only One Mike' (2019), 'Indiana Mike' (2022), and 'Ready to Sell Out' (2024).

A Lesson in Calculated Risks

For anyone contemplating their own professional gambles, Epps' trajectory offers valuable insights. His journey demonstrates that setbacks do not have to be permanent, provided one maintains resilience and keeps showing up.

As he states in the special: 'Sometimes you got to be delusional.' That mindset has carried the 55-year-old comic through numerous movies and TV successes, helping him build a career that continues to thrive long after the credits roll.