Michael Epps is an American actor and entrepreneur best known for playing Jake Taylor on the Showtime drama series The Chi.
He landed his first on-screen role after a single audition and went on to appear in all eight seasons of The Chi, making him one of its longest-running cast members.
Who is Michael Epps?
Michael Epps is an American actor, dancer, and entrepreneur. He rose to prominence through his portrayal of Jake Taylor, a teenager navigating gang pressure and family struggles on the South Side of Chicago, in the critically acclaimed Showtime series The Chi.
His role as Jake spans the entire eight-season run of the show. Alongside his acting career, Epps has pursued music under the name MIKEY and owns a clothing brand called Crown Me.
He also serves as ambassador for the P.O.P on Youth Violence foundation, channeling his public profile toward causes connected to the Chicago community where he grew up.
Michael Epps Parents
Keisha Johnson, Michael’s mother, is an actress who trained at Chicago Acting Studio and Second City in Chicago.
She recognized her son’s interest in performing early on, after watching him copy moves and dialogue from television at their home in Forest Park, Illinois.
Keisha took her son to agents to pursue auditions. The process involved a series of rejections before Michael landed a non-speaking role on Fox’s Empire.
Once he booked The Chi, Keisha stepped back from her own career to manage his full time. “I tried to be his manager and work a full-time job,” she said. “I soon learned that I had to choose.”
Michael’s grandmother, Gwendolyn Massey, has also been a presence in his life and described him from a young age as caring and considerate.
Early Life of Michael Epps
Michael Epps was born in Virginia and later moved to the Chicago area with his family, settling in Forest Park, Illinois.
He grew up on the West Side of Chicago, and that community shapes much of the charity work he does today.
He attended Forest Park Middle School, where his interest in performing arts was already well established.
His mother introduced him to the professional side of the entertainment industry after watching his natural instinct for mimicking performances at home.
His move from Virginia to Chicago put him in proximity to the production world of the city, which plays a central role in the setting of The Chi itself.
His personal connection to Chicago’s South and West Side communities lends authenticity to his performance as Jake Taylor.
Michael is currently co-writing a book with his mother about her life and the experience of guiding her son into a professional acting career.
Michael Epps Age / Birthday
Michael Epps is 20 years old as of 2026, born on September 29, 2005. His zodiac sign is Libra, a sign often associated with balance, artistry, and strong social instincts.
He has performed as a main cast member on a major television series since the age of 12.
Michael Epps Ethnicity and Nationality
Michael Epps is American by nationality, born in Virginia and raised in the Chicago area. His ethnic background is African-American.
His family’s connection to the Chicago community has played a direct role in shaping both his personal values and his professional work.
Michael Epps Height and Weight
Michael Epps stands at 5 feet 7 inches (170 centimeters) tall. His weight is approximately 58 kilograms (127 pounds).
He carries himself with ease on camera, a quality his co-stars and the show’s creators noted during his early seasons on The Chi.
Michael Epps Career
Michael Epps began his professional acting career as a pre-teen, driven by his mother’s commitment to developing his talent through formal coaching and auditions.
His first break came with a background role on Fox’s Empire, which gave him his initial on-set experience before he auditioned for The Chi.
Early Career and The Chi Debut (2018)
After his non-speaking appearance on Empire, Michael auditioned for the role of Jake Taylor on The Chi, the Showtime drama created by Emmy Award winner Lena Waithe. He secured the part immediately following his audition.
The Chi premiered in January 2018. Michael joined the show as a recurring cast member in Season 1 and moved to a main cast role from Season 2 onward.
His character, Jake Taylor, is the younger brother of two older brothers, one of whom is a gang member, which forces Jake to navigate an environment of violence and loyalty from a young age.
On set, Michael was among the youngest cast members. He has spoken about learning from more experienced colleagues, including Jacob Latimore and Shamon Brown Jr., who play Kevin and Papa, Jake’s closest friends throughout the series.
That same year, Michael also made a guest appearance as Taye in an episode of Chicago Fire, one of NBC’s long-running Chicago-set dramas.
Growing Role and Expanding Credits (2019-2023)
Michael Epps released his debut music single, “Drip,” on his YouTube channel in 2019, showcasing his interest in hip-hop outside of his acting work.
He performs music under the name MIKEY and has cited Lil Baby, G Herbo, and Chief Keef as key influences.
His role in The Chi grew substantially through Seasons 3, 4, and 5 as Jake’s storylines became more complex.
The character moves through themes of trauma, loyalty, and the desire for a different life, paralleling real experiences in Chicago’s South Side communities.
In 2023, Michael appeared in two additional projects. He played Aaron Curtis in an episode of Chicago Med and took on the role of Jarren in the independent sports drama Primary Position, his first feature film credit.
The Chi Seasons 6-8 and Final Season (2024-2026)
The Chi moved from Showtime to Paramount+ with Showtime in 2024. Season 6 became the show’s biggest yet, drawing streaming numbers nearly 25 percent higher than Season 5.
Season 7 premiered on May 18, 2025, drawing about 2 million viewers across streaming and cable, the most in the show’s history.
Michael remained a series regular throughout this period, with his character Jake continuing to be one of the most followed in the ensemble.
In May 2025, the show was renewed for an eighth and final season. The final season premiered on May 22, 2026, on Paramount+, with 10 episodes airing weekly.
Michael V. Epps appeared as Jake Taylor in all 85 episodes of the show’s full run across eight seasons.
Michael Epps Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Empire | Extra | TV Series (guest) |
| 2018 | Chicago Fire | Taye | TV Series (guest) |
| 2018-2026 | The Chi | Jake Taylor | TV Series (main cast, 85 episodes) |
| 2023 | Chicago Med | Aaron Curtis | TV Series (guest) |
| 2023 | Primary Position | Jarren | Film |
Michael Epps Awards and Recognition
The Chi earned significant critical recognition throughout its run. The series holds an 87 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its debut season and drew its largest-ever audience in Season 7.
Michael earned specific praise from critics and viewers for the depth and authenticity of his Jake Taylor portrayal.
He performs the role’s emotional demands alongside veteran performers, which he has said has shaped his technique significantly.
His work with the P.O.P on Youth Violence foundation reflects the recognition the show’s cast has brought to real issues in Chicago communities.
Michael Epps Net Worth
Michael Epps’s estimated net worth is $300,000 as of 2026. The majority of his income comes from his long-running role as Jake Taylor on The Chi and from his clothing business, Crown Me.
Crown Me is Michael’s online fashion brand, which he has promoted through his Instagram account.
Along with acting and his clothing line, Michael has also earned income from his music releases and brand collaborations.
He has spoken publicly about wanting to support charitable causes, particularly organizations helping homeless youth and local schools on the West Side of Chicago.
Michael Epps Social Media
Michael Epps is active on Instagram at @officialmichaelepps, where he shares behind-the-scenes content from The Chi, updates on his music, and posts related to Crown Me clothing.
He also streams video games on Twitch in his spare time, a hobby he has mentioned in interviews alongside basketball, which he plays regularly.
Conclusion
Michael Epps spent his entire teenage years and the start of his twenties as a main cast member on one of television’s most authentic portrayals of Black urban life, appearing in 85 episodes of The Chi from its 2018 debut to its 2026 finale.
His work as Jake Taylor, combined with his Crown Me clothing brand, his music, and his community advocacy, marks a career already built on more than one track.