What Is Omar Epps' Net Worth?
Omar Epps is an American actor, rapper, music producer, and songwriter who has a net worth of $8 million. Omar Epps is most widely recognized for his work as Dr. Eric Foreman on the hit series "House, M.D." During his time on "House," Omar earned a salary of $100,000 per episode.
Early Life
Omar Epps was born on July 20, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York. He began writing poetry and songs when he was in elementary school. Epps's parents divorced when he was a young child, and he was raised by his mother, Bonnie Maria Epps, an elementary school principal. They moved around to several neighborhoods when he was growing up, including Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, East New York, and East Flatbush. He went on to graduate from the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. He also performed with a rap group called Wolfpack during his teens.
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Acting Career
Epps began acting professionally in the late '80s but really broke through in the early '90s with his starring role in the film, "Juice." Many of his early acting roles were of troubled teens and/or athletes, like his character Q in "Juice." Rapper Tupac Shakur also starred alongside Epps in the film. Omar's second on-screen appearance was in the college football drama "The Program," in which he starred alongside James Caan.
Epps went on to star in the TV movie "Deadly Voyage" in 1996, which was produced by John Goldschmidt. Omar won the best actor award for his portrayal of Kingsley Ofusu at the Monte Carlo Television Festival. "Deadly Voyage" was a true story about the sole survivor of a group of nine African stowaways aboard the cargo ship MC Ruby. The following year, Epps took over the role of Willie Mays Haynes (originally played by Wesley Snipes) when he starred in "Major League II." He next starred in John Singleton's "Higher Learning," which examined the politics and racial tensions of college life. He snagged a small role in 1996's "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood," which was a box office success.
Omar then snagged the role of troubled surgical intern Dr. Dennis Grant on the hit television show "ER." He appeared in several episodes before returning to the big screen in 1997 to appear briefly alongside Jada Pinkett Smith in the blockbuster sequel "Scream 2." That same year, Epps was the star of the HBO movie "First Time Felon," in which he played a small-time criminal who goes through Chicago's boot camp reform system and faces the adjustment of re-emerging into society with the label of an ex-con. The film was based on a true story.
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In 1999, Epps appeared in the box office bust "The Mod Squad." However, his later 1999 appearance in "The Wood" offered him a more serious and multidimensional role and gave him a chance to show off his talent. He starred in the film alongside Tay Diggs and Richard T. Jones. Later that year, Omar starred alongside Stanley Tucci and LL Cool J in "In Too Deep" and appeared onscreen again alongside Jada Pinkett Smith in "When Willows Touch."
In 2000, Epps gained further exposure and recognition when he starred in the romantic sports drama film "Love & Basketball." He starred opposite Sanaa Lathan and portrayed Quincy, an NBA hopeful who weathers a stormy relationship with his female friend and fellow star basketball player. The film received positive critical attention and excelled at the box office. The on-screen pair were nominated for numerous awards for their performances.
Omar went on to have supporting roles in a series of other films, including "Dracula 2000," "Big Trouble," "Conviction," and "Brother." In 2004, Epps appeared alongside Jude Law in 2004's "Alfie." Later that year, he landed the role of Luther Shaw, opposite Meg Ryan, in "Against the Ropes."
At the end of 2004, Epps returned to the television medical drama world with his role as Dr. Eric Foreman on the Fox series "House." He won the NAACP Image Award in 2007, 2008, and 2013 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Other films he worked on include "A Day in the Life," "Almost Christmas," "Traffik," "Trick," and "3022." In 2014, he began appearing as J. Martin Bellamy in ABC's "Resurrection." From 2016 to 2018, he appeared on the drama "Shooter" alongside Ryan Phillippe. In season four of "This Is Us," Omar appeared in a recurring guest role as Darnell Hodges. Epps returned to the big screen when he starred in Netflix's original psychological thriller "Fatal Affair" in July 2020.
Other Ventures
Epps was a character in the video game "Def Jam: Fight for NY" in 2004. Omar released an album in 2004 called "Omar Epps Presents….The Get Back" under the record label Bknyc. Epps has been a longtime friend of comedian Marlon Wayans, and he co-produced the theme song that was used for the sitcom "The Wayans Brothers" (which starred Marlon and Shawn Wayans) from 1997 to 1999.
Epps released an autobiography, "From Fatherless to Fatherhood," in June 2018. In June 2020, he narrated an educational video for the nonprofit group RepresentUs about the organization of America's criminal justice system. He serves on the Cultural Council of the nonprofit.
Personal Life
Omar has been married to Keisha Spivey since 2005. She is a member of the R&B group Total. They began dating in 1996. Omar and Keisha live in California with their two children, K'mari Mae and Amir. Epps also has another daughter, Aiyanna, from a previous relationship. Omar is trilingual and fluent in Spanish and French.
Real Estate
In 2001, Omar paid $430,000 for a home in the LA suburb of Sherman Oaks. Today, this home is worth an estimated $3 million.
