Tyler Perry

Background

Perry has quickly risen to the top, becoming one of the most significant African-American superstars and motivating admirers and followers. He was born Emmitt Perry Jr., one of four children born to carpenter Emmitt Perry Sr. and Willie Maxine Perry on September 13, 1969, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He suffered abuse from his father and even tried suicide to escape the beatings he endured. To distance himself from his father, Perry legally changed his name to ‘Tyler’ at 16 and dropped out of high school. Later, while working various jobs to support himself, he received his G.E.D.

Perry’s beginning in the world of showbiz started in 1990 when he moved to Atlanta and used his savings of $12,000 to finance a community theater staging of “I Know I’ve Been Changed.” The play received a poor response, and over the next few years, he reworked it. It was in 1998 that he returned with an improved version of the musical and restaged it in Atlanta while touring with the Chitlin’ Circuit. He continued to write new plays, staging them across the U.S. and building a large audience among the African-American community. His most well-known creation, ‘Madea,’ a fierce and opinionated African-American grandmother, was first featured in these plays. Perry established himself as a successful writer, director, actor, and producer over the following seven years, raking in record-breaking sums of money from tickets, videos, and merchandise.

In 2005, Perry went on to write and star in his first feature film, “Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” based on his character Madea. Close to the success of the movie, Perry made his directorial debut with the second movie of the series, “Madea’s Family Reunion,” and also authored his first book that year, “Don’t Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings: Madea’s Uninhibited Commentaries on Love and Life.” Later, he directed and produced films for Lionsgate Entertainment, including “Why Did I Get Married?” in 2007 with Janet Jackson. He created the African-American family-focused sitcom “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” in 2008. Then, in 2009, he co-starred and directed the box office success “Madea Goes to Jail,” which was his most outstanding debut to that point. He continued to produce, write, and act in Madea films while appearing in other critically acclaimed and financially successful films like “Star Trek” in 2009, “Gone Girl” in 2014, “Vice” in 2018, and “Don’t Look Up” in 2021.

In addition to getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019, he also opened a new studio in Atlanta, the location of several well-known television and film productions, including “The Walking Dead” and “Black Panther.” Then, in 2020, “TIME Magazine” included him in the list of 100 most influential people. He was also honored with the ‘Governor’s Award’ at the Primetime Emmy Awards the same year, and in 2022, he was inaugurated into the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame.

Perry has continued to capitalize on his quick ascent to popularity to further the causes important to his neighborhood. While supporting stars such as Idris Elba in their early days in the entertainment industry, he has also contributed to philanthropic causes, working for the homeless and the marginalized. Perry’s personal life also makes the headlines, and he is currently in a relationship with model Gelila Bekele. He is also great friends with Oprah Winfrey, whom he sees as inspiring. As Perry continues to churn out more great content, his fans will look forward to more entertainment shortly from his studios.