Growing up and watching comedy legends like Richard Pryor inspired Indiana native Mike Epps to do the same. People started to take note of the up-and-coming comedian when Epps joined the Def Comedy Jam Tour in the mid-90s. And that was just the beginning. With his breakout role in Next Friday, alongside Ice Cube, Epps’ acting career took off quickly. Since then, he’s starred in nearly 50 films, including Friday After Next, All About the Benjamins, Janky Promoters, The Fighting Temptations, Guess Who, Jumping the Broom, Sparkle and is set to have a leading role in the announced Richard Pryor biopic.

Epps’ talents are versatile. His resume expands to include more than just being in films. He’s starred on several sitcoms (Uncle Buck and Survivor’s Remorse), landed multiple hosting gigs (BET Hip-Hop Awards 2009-’12), released comedy specials (Under Rated ... Never Faded & X-Rated) and credits himself as a rapper with a comedy album under his belt. The same way that he is onscreen is the same way he is on his comedy tours. You can’t help but laugh at his observational comedic style, and he stays up-to-date on current trends and pop culture, poking fun at just about everything and anything during his stand-up routines. He really does it all.

The Pearl at Palms, 8 p.m. Aug. 12, starting at $39.50 plus tax and fee. 702.944.3200