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Tyler Perry

ACTOR · BORN 1969

Tyler Perry

Born
14 September 1969
Known for
Gone Girl (2014), Alex Cross (2012), Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005), Why Did I Get Married? (2007)

36 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026

Tyler Perry (born 14 September 1969) is an actor best known for Gone Girl, Alex Cross and Diary of a Mad Black Woman.

Tyler Perry over the years

Tyler Perry in 1998 (age 29)
1998 · age 29John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Ma…
Tyler Perry in 2024 (age 55)
2024 · age 55Arlington National Cemetery, Public domain

36 Interesting Facts About Tyler Perry

Interesting Facts (13)

  1. #001

    He likes caramel apples.

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  2. #002

    Is a huge fan of country music.

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  3. #003

    Tyler Perry purchased the closed Fort McPherson Army Base (1885-2011) in southwest Atlanta for his Tyler Perry Studios operation, a 330-acre complex that includes his personal offices. With this purchase, Perry became the first African-American to directly own a major film studio.

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  4. #004

    Tyler Perry has been writing plays since he was 18. As of March 2005, eight of his plays had grossed more than 75 million US dollars from ticket and DVD sales.

    Tyler Perry — a scene
    Tyler Perry: a sceneImage: Wikimedia Commons · John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0

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  5. #005

    After his play I Know I've Been Changed failed, Perry spent a period poor and living on the streets of Atlanta.

    Tyler Perry — a scene
    Tyler Perry: a sceneImage: Wikimedia Commons · AMFM STUDIOS LLC, CC BY 3.0

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  6. #006

    Before his film career took off, Perry worked in construction.

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  7. #007

    Perry ranked 7th on EW's list of Hollywood's 50 Smartest People (2007).

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  8. #008

    Perry often quotes from famous black-focused films such as What's Love Got to Do with It (1993) and The Color Purple (1985). He quotes from these two in particular in Madea's Family Reunion (2006).

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  9. #009

    Perry is good friends with Oprah Winfrey, Janet Jackson and Will Smith. He is friends with comedian Steve Harvey.

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  10. #010

    To overcome a deep fear of flying, Perry took flight training lessons and earned a private pilot's license. He currently flies a Cirrus SR22T aircraft.

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  11. #011

    Perry attended high school with rapper Mystikal.

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  12. #012

    Perry has vacation properties in both Wyoming and the Bahamas.

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  13. #013

    Perry is a big fan of country music.

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Easter Eggs & References (3)

  1. #014

    Often quotes famous black-focused movies such as What's Love Got to Do with It (1993) and The Color Purple (1985). These two are especially quoted in Madea's Family Reunion (2006).

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  2. #015

    His plays often reference The Color Purple (1985), which starred Oprah Winfrey. He credits The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986) with inspiring him to write.

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  3. #016

    Perry's plays frequently reference The Color Purple (1985), which starred Oprah Winfrey. He believes The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986) inspired him to write.

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Career & Awards (7)

  1. #017

    He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7024 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on October 1, 2019. Actress and singer Crystal Fox was a presenter at the ceremony.

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  2. #018

    Has been writing plays since he was age 18. As of March 2005, his eight plays have grossed over US$75 million in tickets and DVD sales.

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  3. #019

    Before becoming a successful filmmaker with Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005), he was already the owner of a successful play company that tours the country and caters to African-Americans. His plays are also recorded and sold as DVDs.

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  4. #020

    Purchased the shuttered Fort McPherson Army Base (1885-2011) for his "Tyler Perry Studios" operation, a 330-acre complex in southwest Atlanta where his own personal offices are housed in "The Dream Building". With this acquisition, Perry becomes the first African-American to own a major film studio outright.

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  5. #021

    Worked in construction before his movie career became successful.

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  6. #022

    Ranked #7 on EW's The 50 Smartest People in Hollywood (2007).

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  7. #023

    On October 1, 2019, Perry was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7024 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Actress and singer Crystal Fox hosted the ceremony.

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Life & Family (13)

  1. #024

    Spent a period of time destitute and living on the streets of Atlanta after his play ''I Know I've Been Changed'' flopped.

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  2. #025

    Good friends with Oprah Winfrey, Janet Jackson and Will Smith. Friends with comedian Steve Harvey.

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  3. #026

    Attended high school with rapper Mystikal.

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  4. #027

    Has a light-skinned older sister and a dark-skinned younger sister.

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  5. #028

    Owns vacation properties in both Wyoming and the Bahamas.

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  6. #029

    Has a 12-acre estate outside Atlanta. He bought the former Dean Gardens in Johns Creek, Georgia for $7.6 million (previously listed as high as $40 million). The property has 1200 feet adjoining the Chattahoochee River, a golf course and is 58 acres.

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  7. #030

    To overcome his deep fear of flying, he took flight training lessons and obtained a private pilot license. He now flies a Cirrus SR22T aircraft.

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  8. #031

    His mother, Willie Maxine Perry, passed away on December 8, 2009 at age 64. She was a preschool teacher who worked at the New Orleans Jewish Community Center for most of her life.

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  9. #032

    Has one son with girlfriend Gelila Bekele: Aman Tyler Perry (born November 30, 2014).

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  10. #033

    Perry's mother, Willie Maxine Perry, died on December 8, 2009, at the age of 64. For much of her life she worked as a preschool teacher at the New Orleans Jewish Community Center.

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  11. #034

    Before becoming a successful filmmaker with Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005), Perry owned a successful touring theater company that served African-Americans. His plays were also recorded and sold on DVD.

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  12. #035

    Perry has a son with his girlfriend Gelila Bekele: Aman Tyler Perry (born November 30, 2014).

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  13. #036

    Perry has a light-skinned older sister and a dark-skinned sister.

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Sources & editorial notes

Reference databases

  • Wikipedia English Wikipedia article
  • IMDb IMDb name page (biography and trivia)

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