Insight into Omar Epps. AMA.

How often do you get mistaken for Mike Tomlin, coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers?

Haha! People are having fun with this one. At least if a movie gets made about him, we all know who should play that role..

Taye Diggs?

They'll just give to the Jamie Foxx...

My vote is for Tom Cruise in blackface. You cool with that Epps? If you're cool with it, don't respond.

Ouch! Haha!

Mr. Epps, I really enjoyed the nuances of your character on House, you were one of my favorite characters on the series!

When you were doing the role, did they have you working with any actual medical professionals in order to coach your demeanor or how you would direct your acting?

Thank you! Yeah we consulted with medical pros while we filmed House.

Mr. Epps,

Preface: Apologies for being blunt.

Your AMA thus far has been full of some pretty boring 'hollywood interview' style answers. Everything is just hunky dory.

Tell us something darker and interesting about yourself that you've yet to reveal to the world.

Ok why don't you go first..

I once open-mouth kissed a horse. Your turn

Yeah um, that's creepy..

Still got the Juice?

Always!

Mr Epps, loved your work on House. What was the most challenging part of working with the cast? Do you relate to your character on that show?

Thank you! Making House was challenging overall. Making any television show and or film is a challenge in of itself really, but we had a blast. Personally I related to Foreman's drive and ambition.

Afternoon, Omar! What has been your greatest accomplishment to this date in your own eyes?

Being the father I never had.

How does it feel that your name is often a crossword puzzle solution?

It's awesome! Kind of trippy too haha!

You were the best Willie Mays Hayes. You have acted in football, baseball, and basketball movies. Favorite one to make? Which sport do you like best?

My fave sports are football (American) and boxing.

If they made a movie about Mike Tomlin from the Steelers, would you audition for the role? Would you be willing to gain weight for the role?

Gotta be willing to do what it aces for any role. De Niro in Raging Bull or McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club.

love and basketball sequel? any chance?

Anything is possible..

Can you talk about working with Takeshi Kitano on BROTHER? The scene where you guys first meet is great, especially with the stillness punctuated by the sudden violence.

Thank you! That was an amazing experience. Takeshi is such a brilliant film maker, truly enjoyed filming Brother.

What is the food you could eat the most of in one sitting and have no regrets?

This is going to be cliche in a way but fried chicken! Haha!

How was working on Don't Be a Menace? I'm sorry you never made it to graduation.

Haha! That was fun. Working with fam is always fun.

What attracts you to certain TV projects like Resurrection and House? Plus, I just saw that Resurrection shattered ABC's Sunday ratings with over 17 million viewers (L+3 Viewers). Congrats!

Beyond it being unique (creatively speaking), I love the challenge of building something from the ground up.

It says you are a rapper. When is your album coming out?

Not planning on that so who knows..

Any predictions on the Cowboys next season or what moves they need to make in the offseason?

We'll be what we are, a mediocre team..

What would be a film you would love to make or star in?

Good question.. Miles Davis.

What are the most memorable similarities between working on House and working on ER?

Both shows had stellar crews working behind the scenes.

Hi Omar ! Talking about Resurrection... have you watched "The Returned", also titled as "Les Revenants", a french tv series about dead people reappearing ? If so, what did you think of it ?

No I haven't seen Les Revenants but my show Resurrection is based on a novel by Jason Mott called The Returned.

Hello, thanks for doing this AMA. I was just wondering how it was to work to Tupac on Juice. Any funny stories you remember from the set?

Tupac was an incredibly smart and charismatic person. It was an honor to work with him in Juice.

This is the question I was going to ask too so thank for answering.

So, how was it growing up with Marlon Wayans?

Marlon is truly a great person. We had a really fun childhood. He's been that funny since we were kids.

This has been fun, appreciate all of you! Be sure to check out my new show Resurrection on Sundays at 9pm|8c on ABC! Peace!

What's your favorite movie based in Brooklyn?

Do The Right Thing! CLASSIC!

Did they name your character on house Eric Forman for any particular reason? Do you find it as funny a coincidence as I do that you are now working with Kurtwood Smith who played an Eric Forman's dad?

Ha! Nah, character names have to be cleared by the network. So most times, it's just the luck of the draw.

What's your favorite drink?

Haha! Depends on my mood.

what is it going to take to get more than a one line answer out of you. what are you passionate about?

I'm passionate about life! My kids, my family. Oh and Korean bbq..

How often do you play Def Jam Fight for NY as yourself?

Haha! Only time was when it first came out. I'm not a video gamer.

I love the premise for Resurrection, but eventually people coming back from the dead is going to get old right? I mean at some point whatever's happening will need to be explained. Where do you see the series heading once it reaches that point in the hopefully distant future? Do you see this as a short 2 or 3 season show, or do you feel there's content enough to run long term? Also loved Dr. Foreman on House. You and Hugh Laurie were excellent together.

That's the challenge of making a good television show. Stay tuned..

Mr Epps, if it's not too personal, how did you get into acting, what lit your fire?

Honestly there wasn't a eureka moment. Spawned from writing really, natural progression.

Did you enjoy the role of Willie Mays Hayes in Major League II? I love both of those movies (even though they're essentially exactly the same film, plot-wise).

Also, was it fun being the Black Hammer to Jesse Ventura's White Lightning?

Thanks! We cracked up while we filmed Black Hammer. It was so silly!

What was the strangest part about working with the film Juice?

The fact that I was living out my dreams.

Is there a role or type of role you'd like to play, but have yet to get the opportunity to? Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.

Not in particular. Just want to keep being challenged by the roles I play and keep evolving as an actor.

What I your least favorite role you've ever played?

The character in Mod Squad haha!

when was the last time someone asked you to spit your best 16 bars? do you still flow?

Haha! Actually my boy Saigon. Not really, but every now and then I might spit just for exercise.

How did you feel about replacing Wesley Snipes in Major League 2?

Kinda weird actually..

Any major film/tv roles you missed out on that you really wanted?

Yeah Larenz's role in Dead Presidents!!

Do you feel you went too deep in In Too Deep?

Gotta know when to turn it off..

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

Just had eggs and spinach w/ sautéed tuna.

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Pros and cons. I'm a naturally private person so the adjustment was tough for me initially. But it comes with the turf.

Who was your favorite actor/actress to work with?

This is actually a hard question. Probably Hugh Laurie..

Show us a current picture with the controversial KILT! Also how was House like in person? Still keep in touch?

Haha! Hugh and I spoke a few months ago, he's well.

I knew Resurrection was going to be good when I happened on it by chance and saw you in the second scene.

Thank you!

By the end of House, how much more, if any, did you know about diagnostic medicine (e.g. treatments, symptoms)?

Nope! Medical pros are an amazing bunch of people.

If you weren't in the entertainment industry, what would you do for a career?

Good question. Maybe a lawyer or teacher..

I have every season of House on DVD and have been marathoning all week. I just realized that your character 'Eric Foreman' has the same name as a character from another favorite show as mine. Eric Forman from That 70's Show. I don't really have a question, just wanted to say this and also say that I love House and you are an amazing actor.

Appreciate you!

Looking back, what are your thoughts on Boyz in the Hood?

CLASSIC!

Thanks for doing this AMA.

Did the Wayans brothers approach you to play the small cameo of your character from Higher Learning in Don't Me A Menace to South Central....? Or did you approach them?

I love both films, even though I watched them at a much younger age then the audience it was intended for.

I grew up with Marlon Wayans, so that's family.

Do you think there has ever been a show, in the history of television, that attempts to manipulate viewers feelings more than Resurrection on ABC?

P.S. Big fan

Hmmm.. Maybe not in the same way.. X Files?

I remember when I was a kid my mom and sister wanted to watch Love & Basketball, I thought I would hate it, I ended up loving. I guess it's important to give everything a chance. How good are you at ball? seemed pretty good in the movie.

Cool. Nah b-ball has never been my thing really.

What was it like to take over the role of Willie Mays Hays for Wesley Snipes in Major League II? And do you happen to follow baseball at all? If so, favorite team?

Thank you for taking the time to do an AMA today!

Filming ML2 was a cool experience. I'm a Yankees fan.

What sort of things do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Just chilling with my kids. Bbq-ing, hanging with the fellas. Normal stuff we all do really..

Did you enjoy your time on House? Was there ever talk of a spin off staring Foreman? It seemed to me that they were setting that up for a while.

Haha! A Foreman spinoff would be hilarious!!

Why are you so awesome?

Thank you!

Did you enjoy working on scream 2?

Yeah we had fun.

Hey Omar! Although I have no question, I wanted to say I do appreciate your work and look forward to seeing more of you in the future!

Alright, maybe I do have a question. Should Foreman have been involved in House and Wilson's "prank war", what would he have done?

Thank you!

Hello Mr Epps! Huge fan of yours when you were on House. My question for you is what's your top 3 artists/bands you are currently listening to right now?

Thanks! Pharrell's new album Old school King Floyd And Nirvana's first album

Do your children have any inclination to get into the business?

Kinda sorta

Love your work, especially on House! Any advice for an aspiring actor/ film maker?

Thank you! Believe in yourself and follow your own tradition.

Loved you in "The Program." I was wondering what kind of football training (if any) you and the other actors had to go through for the film. Also, what was it like having, ahem... "those" scenes with a young Halle Berry?

Thanks! I played Pop Warner football, so filming The Program was special to me. Yeah we trained with ex pros and college players. The scenes with Halle where exactly what you think they were haha!

Hi Mr. Epps! I loved your work on House and always wanted to know how you felt about your character's progression as the series was reaching it's end. Did you think he went down the right path or did you wish that something different happened?

Thanks! I was happy with Foreman's progression. He ended up where I thought he should be.

What's your favorite kind of donut?

Haha! I actually don't eat donuts, but when I did I liked the plain glazed ones.

Is Hugh Laurie as cool as he seems?

Yeah Hugh is a brilliant artist and a true gentleman..

Who would be your dream role to portray in a biopic?

Well Denzel played Malcolm and Idris just played Mandela. That's a good question.

Hello! Thanks for doing this AMA.

Have you liked working on Resurrection so far? Do you prefer working in a certain genre?

I'm diggin' it a lot.

I was so happy to see you on Resurrection! I love your work!!

Thank you!

Hi Omar, Thanks for AMA session U seem like u lived so many lifes, what s ur favorite : actor/singer/movie maker/entrepreneur..?

What was the best advicee u were given ,by whom?

Thanks

Sidney Poitier is my on screen hero! I've been given a lot of great advice thru the years. One that stayed with me is: it's 10% talent, 90% hard work.