Comedian and actor Mike Epps revealed on social media on Thursday night that his father, Tommy Epps Sr., has passed away.
“He was a Hard worker, Good father, and God believers,” Epps wrote, “fly High king, kiss mama for me.”
The unfortunate announcement of his father's passing comes six weeks after the death of the comedian’s mother just days before Christmas, according to Essence. The Next Friday actor didn’t share the cause of his father’s death.
In December, Epps shared on Instagram news of his mother Mary Reed's death and thanked her in a heartwarming message for loving and nurturing him.
“Rest in paradise mama thank you for all the lessons and life it’s self you fought hard baby because of you I will never stop fighting in this thing called life,” Epps wrote. “She loved her kids and family and we had good times with her this is not a good bye [sic] it’s a We will see you later."
On social media, dozens of supporters and peers came to Epps’ side, sending their condolences and well wishes.
Fellow comedian and The Upshaws co-star Wanda Sykes wrote, “Sending you some love.”
Actor Marlon Wayans wrote, “Bro… I’m so sorry. They watching over you now. ???? praying for you brother.”
Songwriter and singer Anthony Hamilton also commented, “Blessings brother to you and your family.”
In his 2018 autobiography Unsuccessful Thug, Epps detailed his life growing up in Indianapolis, Indiana. The All About The Benjamins actor spoke openly about his rough childhood, which included being evicted multiple times, and marveled at how his single mother worked hard to provide for him and his siblings.
In a 2016 interview with People, he paralleled being a father of four daughters to how he grew up with a mother raising a house of almost all boys.
“I wish I had a son,” he said. “My mother had eight sons and one girl. My mother cried every day. A woman can’t control a little boy that much. You think they can, but it’s like dealing with a little man.”
Epps shared that he’s blessed to be a girl dad and that he doesn’t play about his girls; Madison, Moriah, Makayla and Bria. He expressed that having daughters has made him mature in many areas of his life because they remind him of the great women in his family.
He joked that, “I think the gene pool switched up. I had all the girls that [my mother] wanted!”
According to Louisville-area news station WDRB, Epps’ "In Real Life Comedy Tour" is set to stop at the KFC Yum! Center on April 10 for the venue’s first touring event since the coronavirus pandemic shut them down. Performing alongside Epps will be comedians DC Young Fly, Michael Blackson, Karlous Miller and Kountry Wayne.
The center has taken precautions by increasing disinfectant cleaning stations, temperature screenings, and mandating that visitors wear face coverings. WDRB reported that all sales will be cashless and plexiglass barriers will be installed at concession stands.
