Omar Epps

With his athletic build and masculine good looks, Omar Epps was frequently cast as sports heroes and troubled teenagers in his early film career. It was on television, however, where the actor demonstrated his range to a larger audience, largely through his work on two celebrated medical dramas. While still in his teens, Epps made his feature film debut in the urban crime drama "Juice" (1991). Receiving strong notices for his role, Epps moved on to playing various athletic types in movies such as "The Program" (1993), "Major League II" (1994), and the John Singleton-directed "Higher Learning" (1995). In 1996, Epps joined the cast of the hugely popular medical series "ER" (1994-2009), starring as a talented intern who became overwhelmed by the stress and politics at the busy Chicago hospital, leading to tragic results. Although only on the show for less than a season, Epps made a lasting impression, furthering his already promising career. At the end of the decade, Epps was busier than ever with a full slate of projects - some of merit; others less so - with features like the sequel "Scream 2" (1997), the embarrassing "The Mod Squad" (1999), and the thriller "In Too Deep" (1999). He returned to the urban sports milieu - and the good graces of critics - with "Love & Basketball" (2000). Future efforts ranged from the interesting but little-seen "Brother" (2001), to the sappy and uninspired "Against the Ropes" (2004). Fortune smiled on Epps when he was cast on yet another immensely popular hospital drama, "House" (Fox, 2004-12), starring as series regular Dr. Eric Foreman. Hardworking and talented, Epps had skillfully managed to crossover from initially playing troubled urban athletes, to essaying highly-complex, educated professionals, all of which demonstrated the actor's impressive range.