The Rapper Turned Actor, Omar Epps: Wife, Net Worth, Height

 

Who is Omar Epps?

American actor and rapper Omar Hashim Epps was born in New York City USA, on 20 July 1973, making Cancer his zodiac sign. He’s had roles in 45 TV series and movies, and is perhaps known best for starring as Dr. Eric Foreman in all 176 episodes of the hit mystery series “House”, which David Shore directed, and which also starred Robert Sean Leonard and Hugh Laurie. It follows the work of a doctor specialized in diagnostic medicine, the series aired from 2004 through 2012 and won 57 of its 197 award nominations.

Education and early life

Omar and his sister Aisha Epps were raised in New York City solely by their mother Bonnie Maria Epps, as their parents divorced before Omar turned five; Bonnie was an elementary school principal.

He studied at the same elementary school at which his mother worked, and was 10 when he began writing songs and short stories. It was at the age of 12 that Omar became interested in acting, after having appeared in his first school play; he went on to attend Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in 1991.

Although he launched his acting career before becoming a rapper, Omar initially wanted to pursue a career in rap music; he was a member of the rap group Wolfpack, which he and his cousin formed in 1991, but a year later turned to acting.

Roles in movies

Omar’s debut film role was playing Charlie in the 1988 short drama “The Green Flash”, while some of his following roles were in the 1992 crime action “Juice”, and in 1993 the romantic action films “Daybreak” and “The Program”.

The year 1994 saw Omar portray Willie Mays Hayes in the sports comedy “Major League II”, written and directed by David S. Ward, and which starred Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger and Corbin Bernsen. It follows The Indians as they’re competing in World Series, and the movie won one of its two award nominations. Omar was then cast to appear in several popular movies, such as the 1995 crime drama “Higher Thriller”, the 1997 horror mystery “Scream 2”, and the 1999 action crime thriller “The Mod Squad”.

In 2002, he played FBI Agent Alan Seitz in the crime thriller comedy “Big Trouble”, directed by Barry Sonenfeld, and which starred Tim Allen, Rene Russo and Stanley Tucci; it follows the lives of several people from Miami, Florida whose paths intersect in a day. Omar had only a couple of other movie roles in the decade, as he spent it focused on shooting for the series “House”; some of these roles were in the 2004 romantic comedy “Alfie” and the biographical romantic drama “Against the Ropes”, and the 2009 crime action “A Day in the Life”.

In 2016, Omar starred as Malachi in the romantic comedy “Almost Christmas”, written and directed by David E. Talbert, and which also starred Kimberly Elise and Danny Glover; it follows a dysfunctional family who’ve gathered for Christmas for the first time since their matriarch died – the film was nominated for three awards.

Omar’s since appeared in three movies: the 2019 science fiction “3022”, the 2020 thriller “Fatal Affair”, and the 2022 thriller “The Devil You Know”; he’s currently shooting for the upcoming film “The Deliverance”.

Roles in TV series

Omar’s debut TV series role was in the 1991 episode “In the Shadow of Love: A Teen AIDS Story” of the comedy “ABC Afterschool Specials”, and the following years saw him appear in an episode or two of the comedy “Here and Now”, the action adventure “Street Justice”, and the drama “Screen Two”.

In 1996 and ‘97, he played Dr. Dennis Gant in 10 episodes of the romantic drama “ER”, which starred Julianna Margulies, Anthony Edwards and George Clooney, and was created by Michael Crichton. The series tells the story of a group of nurses and doctors working at a hospital in Chicago, Illinois, it aired from 1994 through 2009, and won 156 of its 526 award nominations.

Omar’s following role came after “House”, when cast to star as J. Martin Bellamy in all the 21 episodes of the popular fantasy “Resurrection”, which Aaron Zelman created, and which also starred Matt Craven and Frances Fisher. It follows the people of Arcadia, Missouri whose deceased have returned to them, the series aired from 2013 through 2015, and was nominated for two awards.

Omar’s since had roles in three TV series: he portrayed Isaac Johnson in 31 episodes of the action “Shooter” from 2016 through 2018, Darnell Hodges in three episodes of the romantic comedy “This Is Us” in 2019 and 2020, and Howard in 20 episodes of the crime drama “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” in 2021 and 2022; he’s currently shooting for the upcoming mini-series “The Perfect Couple”.

Other credits

Omar composed the theme music for the hit comedy series “The Wayans Bros.” (1997-1999).

He produced the 2012 musical movie “You Me & The Circus”, the 2015 biographical news documentary film “Daddy Don’t Go”, and the 2022 thriller movie “The Devil You Know”.

Omar received special thanks for the 2013 fantasy horror comedy film “A Haunted House” and the 2022 adventure family comedy movie “The Curse of Bridge Hollow”.

Some of his recent talk-show appearances have been in “GMA3: What You Need to Know”, “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” and “The Daily Show”.

Awards and nominations

Omar’s won five of his 19 award nominations. His wins were a 1997 Monte-Carlo TV Festival Silver Nymph Award for Best Actor for “Deadly Voyage”, three Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2007, 2008 and 2013, for his performance in “House”, and a 2016 American Black Film Festival Award for Best Documentary, for “Daddy Don’t Go” (shared with colleagues).

Love life and marriage

Omar prefers to keep the details of his love life to himself, but it’s still known that he’s today a married man and the father of three.

He and American singer Keisha Spivey married in a private ceremony in 2006; she’s today probably known best for being a member of the R&B girl group Total. Omar and Keisha have two children together, daughter K’mari Mae who born in July 2004, and son Amir who followed a few years later; Omar also has a daughter Aiyanna with a former girlfriend whose name hasn’t been disclosed.

He’s yet to mention the women whom he’d dated prior to meeting Keisha, to whom Omar’s married as of April 2023, and they have two children together, while he also has a daughter from a past relationship.

Interesting facts and hobbies

Omar once worked as a back-up dancer for famous American actress and rapper Queen Latifah.

He’s been friends with famous actor and screenwriter Marlon Wayans since childhood.

Omar was featured in Blackstreet’s 1994 music video “Before I Let You Go”.

He’s passionate about languages, and is fluent in both French and Spanish.

Omar’s not related to American actor and stand-up comedian Michael Elliot Epps.

He published his autobiography “From Fatherless to Fatherhood” in June 2018.

Omar’s a philanthropist, and is today serving on the cultural council of the non-profit organization RepresentUs’.

Nearly 900,000 people are following Omar on Instagram today, and he’s posted more than 2,000 pictures onto the network.

His favorite actor is Will Smith, while some of Omar’s favorite movies include “Aladdin”, “King Richard” and “I Am Legend”.

Height, eyes and wealth

Omar’s age is 49. He has brown eyes and short black hair, is 5ft 10ins (1.79m) tall and weighs about 180lbs (83kgs).

Omar’s net worth’s been estimated at over $8 million, as of April 2023.