Renowned for his vast creative portfolio, consisting of 24 feature films, 20 stage plays, 17 television shows, and two New York Times bestselling books, Tyler Perry has established an empire that resonates with audiences worldwide. Operating from his esteemed Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, he has become a celebrated figure in the realm of cinematic innovation. Perry’s unique blend of spiritual inspiration and relatable humor has shaped his remarkable life story, forging connections with fans across the globe and fostering a sense of possibility.
Perry’s journey epitomizes the modern embodiment of the American dream. Growing up in poverty-stricken circumstances in New Orleans, he experienced a tumultuous upbringing marred by abuse. Taking a cue from Oprah Winfrey, Perry began writing introspective letters to himself, chronicling his thoughts and experiences—a practice that would ultimately set the stage for his career. Fueled by strength, faith, and unwavering determination, Perry wrote his first play, I Know I’ve Been Changed, in 1992. Despite an initially empty audience, Perry persisted, and six years later, the same play sold out, prompting a move to Atlanta’s esteemed Fox Theatre. Subsequently, in 2015, Perry’s original play, Madea on the Run, achieved nationwide success, filling theaters to capacity.
“My biggest success is getting over the things that have tried to destroy and take me out of this life. Those are my biggest successes. It has nothing to do with work.”
Establishing himself within the realm of theater, Perry penned thirteen plays over the subsequent thirteen years, including notable productions such as Woman Thou Art Loosed! and I Can Do Bad All By Myself, which introduced the beloved character Madea. Transitioning to the world of film in 2005 with Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Perry made an immediate impact as the movie debuted at number one in the United States. This success paved the way for subsequent hits like Madea’s Family Reunion, Daddy’s Little Girls, Why Did I Get Married?, Meet the Browns, and The Family That Preys, among others. In 2006, Perry published his first book, Don’t Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings: Madea’s Uninhibited Commentaries on Life and Love, which claimed New York Times bestseller status for eight consecutive weeks. The book received Quill Book Awards for both Humor and Book of the Year, introducing Perry’s inspirational entertainment to a devoted new audience.
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“I want to own a network. I want to own a network where you can turn it on with your family all day long and get positive reinforcement.”
In 2007, Perry expanded his influence to television with the TBS series House of Payne, which swiftly became the highest-rated first-run syndicated cable show. Shortly after, his second series, Meet the Browns, debuted as the second highest cable debut ever. In collaboration with Oprah, Perry ventured into scripted programming on her cable network, OWN, with the sitcom Love Thy Neighbor and the drama The Haves and The Have Nots, which premiered in 2013 and continues to garner impressive ratings. Additionally, Perry introduced a new political drama, Too Close to Home, on TLC in the fall of 2016.
In recent years, Perry has not limited himself to behind-the-scenes roles, showcasing his acting talents in films such as Alex Cross, directed by Rob Cohen, David Fincher’s critically acclaimed Gone Girl, and Paramount’s 2016 blockbuster, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Not content to rest on his laurels, in 2015, Tyler Perry Studios announced plans for expansion in Atlanta through the acquisition of Fort McPherson. With over 330 acres of land, the studio, already responsible for producing over 15 films and nearly 800 episodes of Perry’s television series, is set to create over 400 job opportunities for the Atlanta community across various productions, including major feature films and television shows.