Unsuccessful Thug, Mike Epps
Unsuccessful Thug, Mike Epps
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Unsuccessful Thug
One Comedian's Journey from Naptown to Tinseltown

Author: Mike Epps

Narrator: JD Jackson

Unabridged: 5 hr 55 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperAudio

Published: 03/27/2018


Synopsis

From Naptown to Tinseltown—legendary stand-up comedian and actor Mike Epps finally tells all in this outrageous, hilarious, no-holds-barred memoir.Before starring in Def Comedy Jam and Showtime at the Apollo—before the sold-out comedy shows, Uncle Buck, and becoming his hero Richard Pryor in a biopic—there was Indianapolis. And not the good part. Mike Epps is one of America’s favorite and funniest people, but the path to fame was paved with opportunities to mess it up. And mess it up he did.Growing up in “Naptown”—what people who live there really call rough-around-the-edges Indianapolis—Epps found himself forced to hustle from an early age. Despite his mother’s best efforts, and the love of his well-behaved brother, “Chaney,” and his beloved sister, Julie, Epps was drawn to a life of crime, but as he quickly discovered, stealing and dealing didn’t really fit his sweet sensibilities. Not to mention he wasn’t very good at it—take, for example, the day he had to call the cops on himself when a dog wouldn’t let him leave a house he was burgling. After several arrests and more than a few months in jail, Epps finally realized that he was an unsuccessful thug, and instead turned to the next most obvious career path: stand-up comedy.Heading first to New York, then all over the country, and finally to Hollywood, Mike Epps carved out a unique place in American comedy, combining hysterical tales of his family and friends with a mordant take on life in the Naptowns of America. Comedy saved Mike Epps, and here he reveals exactly how he finally grew up and got out, barely. And when describing how he survived when so many of his friends didn’t, Epps makes clear what he’s thankful for and sorry about. Unsuccessful Thug is about growing up black in America, facing down racism in Hollywood, and ultimately how it feels to fail at thugdom, pull yourself up by the bootstraps, and end up selling out arenas and starring in movies across the country.

About Mike Epps

Mike Epps has appeared in the cult hits Next Friday, Friday After Next and All About the Benjamins. Other features include The Hangover franchise, Faster, Hancock, Lottery Ticket, Next Day Air, Roll Bounce, The Fighting Temptations, the Resident Evil franchise, Bait, How High, Dr. Dolittle 2, Talk to Me and Guess Who? He has also starred as the title character in the ABC series Uncle Buck and appeared on the Starz series Survivors Remorse. As a touring comedian, he plays clubs, theaters, and arenas worldwide. Born and raised in Indianapolis, he now lives in Hollywood.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Kameel

I enjoyed this story and of course it made me laugh....there were stories that made me sad as well...Mike Epps has a very colorful past and I enjoyed his candor. You can see and feel the love and respect he has for his parents and his siblings. I also enjoyed the narration, despite not being narrate......more

Goodreads review by Jason

I liked this book, but was hoping to read more behind the scene stories from his movies. Mike’s life is a true rags to riches story, and what it means to never give up. Easy read, worth checking out.......more

Goodreads review by Dee

I have a new appreciation for Mike Epps. A good read.......more

Goodreads review by Michael

I don't know much about the actor,other than the movies that I seen him in. I always thought he was hilarious in films or stand up, he has a natural way of making people laugh. I will probably not recommend the book only because it was not as captivating as I wanted. This is not to say that the book......more