About Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry overcame a challenging childhood marked by years of abuse. In 1992, he showcased his talents by directing, producing, and starring in the musical “I Know I’ve Been Changed.” Throughout his career, Perry has brought iconic characters, like Madea, to life and has found success both on stage and on the big screen.
Additionally, he has ventured into television, creating shows such as “House of Payne,” and has showcased his acting prowess in notable films like “Alex Cross” (2012), “Gone Girl” (2014), and “Vice” (2018). In 2019, he made a significant announcement regarding the opening of the impressive $250 million Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.
Tyler Perry Biography :Quick Facts
- Name:
- Birth date: September 13, 1969
- Birth Place: Louisiana, United States
- Gender: Male
- Career: Actor, Film Producer, Director, Writer
- Best Known For: The character Madea Simmons, the 1999 play ‘I Can Do Bad All by Myself,’ ‘Diary of a Mad Black Woman’ and Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.
Early Life
Tyler Perry, born Emmitt Perry Jr., has risen as a towering figure in Hollywood. He left New Orleans, Louisiana, and set off on an incredible trip, spurred by his unyielding desire. Perry’s early years as one of four children were plagued by a difficult and stressful upbringing, punctuated by repeated incidents of abuse at the hands of his own father, a skillful carpenter.
Reminiscing about those terrible days, he once delicately explained that his father’s determination to internalize power was portrayed via brutality. The suffering did not stop within the confines of their house, as Perry unwillingly confessed his stories of enduring sexual assault at the hands of four separate people.
At a pivotal stage, Perry attempted suicide to escape his difficult circumstances. To distinguish himself from his father, he changed his first name to Tyler when he was 16 years old. Perry never finished high school, although he did receive his GED. He persevered through a number of disappointing occupations before discovering his genuine passion.
Early Career- ‘I Know I’ve Been Changed’
While watching an episode of Oprah Winfrey’s talk show, Perry was inspired by a statement on how writing about tough events may lead to personal breakthroughs. He began a series of letters to himself that became the foundation for the musical I Know I’ve Been Changed. While the play addressed difficult issues such as child abuse, it also touched on forgiveness, a concept that has remained fundamental to many of his works and reflects his strong Christian faith.
After accumulating $12,000, Perry launched the production, which he directed, produced, and acted in, at an Atlanta theatre in 1992. The performance ran for one weekend and drew barely 30 people.
Perry attempted to win over theatre goers again in 1998. He hired out the House of Blues in Atlanta for another performance of I Know I’ve Been Changed. Perry soon began playing to sold-out audiences, and the show was relocated to a larger theatre. After years of hard labour, he had finally achieved critical and commercial success. According to a 2005 report by Forbes, he managed to sell over $100 million worth of tickets, $30 million in show videos, and an estimated $20 million in merchandise. Moreover, his 300 annual live shows attract an impressive average of 35,000 attendees per week.
Film
Diary of a Mad Black Woman, ‘Madea’s Family Reunion,’ and ‘House of Payne’
In the same year, Perry showcased his exceptional talent in the film industry by releasing his first movie, “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”. This captivating film, led by Kimberly Elise as the betrayed wife and Steve Harris as the faithless husband, solidified Perry’s status as a bona fide box office sensation. Perry’s triple role in the film, notably the iconic character Madea, added a unique touch to the story. Resulting in a remarkable success of over $50 million in revenue, this film sent a clear message to Hollywood: there was a significant demand for urban African American comedies.
Perry’s achievements extended to the silver screen, where his plays found great success. In 2006, he not only starred in but also directed and produced “Madea’s Family Reunion,” which grossed over $63 million in the box office. That same year, he established his own studio in Atlanta and debuted his first television series, “House of Payne,” on the TBS network, showcasing a multigenerational African American family led by Cassi Davis and LaVan Davis.
‘Daddy’s Little Girls,’ and ‘Why Did I Get Married?’
Perry returned to the silver screen and continued to create pictures about family, ethics, and overcoming obstacles. In “Daddy’s Little Girls,” Idris Elba plays a father fighting for custody of his three kids, with the help of a lawyer portrayed by Gabrielle Union.
“Why Did I Get Married?” explores the relationships of several married couples, with a diverse ensemble that includes singers Jill Scott and Janet Jackson, as well as Perry sans his Madea costume. Following these achievements, he developed and directed “Meet the Browns” in 2008, starring Angela Bassett as a single mother who brings her two children to meet her father’s family following his death. The film was then converted into a television sitcom the following year.
‘Madea Goes to Jail’ and ‘Precious’
Perry’s second film, The Family That Preys, debuted in 2008, starring Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodward as two lifelong friends attempting to reunite their damaged families. The next year, Perry made a huge impression with the popular picture Madea Goes to Jail, in which he also appeared as Admiral Barnett in Star Trek. In 2009, he also played the roles of writer, director, and the iconic character Madea in I Can Do Bad All By Myself, opposite Taraji P. Henson.
Perry co-produced “Precious,” a compelling drama based on Sapphire’s novel “Push,” with Lee Daniels and Winfrey in 2009. Daniels directed this critically praised picture, which starred Gabourey Sidibe. It got Oscar nominations. Perry directed the film adaption of “For Coloured Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf,” a 1975 play by Ntozake Shange.
2011 – 2019
Perry consistently produced hit films in the Madea franchise, such as Madea’s Big Happy Family (2011), Madea’s Witness Protection (2012), A Madea Christmas (2014), the animated Madea’s Tough Love, and Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016). His decision to retire the beloved character culminated in the release of the 11th and final installment of the series in 2019, titled A Madea Family Funeral.
Perry’s numerous acting credits include the lead role in the crime drama “Alex Cross” (2012), as well as roles in romantic dramas “Good Deeds” (2012) and “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor” (2013), and the comedy drama “The Single Moms Club” (2014). He also took on supporting roles in the acclaimed thriller “Gone Girl” (2014) and as Baxter Stockman in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” (2016), alongside launching several successful TV series during this period, including “Love Thy Neighbor,” “The Haves and the Have Nots,” “For Better or Worse,” “If Loving You Is Wrong,” and “The Paynes.”
Perry returned to directing in 2018 with the psychological thriller Acrimony and the Tiffany Haddish romantic comedy Nobody’s Fool, as well as an appearance in Vice as former Secretary of State Colin Powell. In 2019, he was expected to premiere two new BET shows: Sistas and The Oval.
Tyler Perry Studios
Perry purchased the 330-acre Fort McPherson in Atlanta in 2015, and transformed it into studios. These studios have been utilized for various projects, including the HBO Films/OWN adaptation of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, as well as the popular television series The Walking Dead. Notably, the groundbreaking Marvel film Black Panther was the first production to be filmed on one of the innovative stages at Tyler Perry Studios, as proudly announced by Perry himself on his Instagram account on February 19, 2018.
Books
Perry’s already successful career was bolstered by his 2006 best-selling book, Don’t Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings: Madea’s Uninhibited Commentaries on Love and Life. The book won two Quill Awards: Book of the Year and Best in Humour. His second book, Higher Is Waiting (2017), was more focused on spiritual topics and the value of family.
Personal Life
Perry shares a strong bond with Janet Jackson, Will Smith, and Oprah Winfrey, and his work is deeply influenced by his Christian beliefs. Many of the themes in his work draw from theology and social behavior prevalent in the black church culture, including numerous scenes portraying church settings and worship styles commonly found in predominantly African American churches, along with the celebration of gospel music and artists.
Perry experienced a downturn when his mother, Willie Maxine Perry, passed away at the age of 64 after battling an illness on December 8, 2009. However, he found joy when his partner Gelila Bekele gave birth to their son, Aman, on November 30, 2014. Despite their previous partnership, Perry publicly declared himself as a single bachelor in December 2020.
Perry also holds the significant role of being the godfather to Princess Lilibet of Sussex. His home and workplace reside in the vibrant Southwest Atlanta, where he tirelessly oversees and operates the renowned Tyler Perry film and TV studios.
