Omar Epps Biography

Fast Facts

• Began writing screenplays at age 10; starred in a production of Grease in elementary school
• Formed a rap group, Wolfpack, in 1991; has directed videos for rappers Heather B
• and Special Ed
• With his childhood friends Marlon and Shawn Wayans, wrote the theme song for the 1995-99 WB series The Wayans Bros
• Nominated for an NAACP Image Award, a Black Reel Award, an MTV Movie Award and a Teen Choice Award for his role in the 2000 movie Love & Basketball
• His mother, a retired New York City public-school administrator, is a minister in Brooklyn
• Won the NAACP Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Dr
• Eric Foreman on House two years in a row, in 2007 and 2008
• Formed his own production company, Brooklyn Works Films
• Said that playing a doctor on TV makes him ask a lot more questions at his own doctors' appointments
• His hobbies include boxing and shooting at the gun range
• Barbecue potato chips are his guilty-pleasure food
• Said that his writing helps his acting: "I understand characters and it gives me different depth as an actor
• "