Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry wears a lot of hats. He’s a producer, director, actor, screenwriter, playwright, author, songwriter, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He gained fame for his creation of the Madea character and subsequent film series. Perry owns Tyler Perry Studios, a major film production company in Atlanta, and is a co-creator of the streaming service BET+. His work has significantly impacted African-American culture and entertainment. Perry is also known for his philanthropic efforts, including donations to various charitable causes and support for individuals in need.

Tyler Perry had a very difficult childhood, coming from very hard circumstances.

• Born Emmitt Perry Jr. on September 13, 1969, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Grew up in a household with an abusive father, Emmitt Perry Sr., and a loving mother, Willie Maxine Perry.
• Experienced severe physical and emotional abuse from his father, which led to a troubled childhood.
• Changed his first name to Tyler at age 16 to dissociate from his father.
• Dropped out of high school but later earned a General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
• Inspired to start writing after watching an episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" about the therapeutic effects of writing.
• Worked various odd jobs to support himself while pursuing his passion for writing.
• Wrote a series of letters to himself, which eventually became the basis for his first play, "I Know I've Been Changed."
• Faced numerous hardships, including periods of homelessness, while trying to produce his first play.
• Persevered through initial failures and continued to rewrite and rework his plays, eventually finding success in the theater.

Tyler had an abusive relationship with his father, which was constantly balanced by the love and care provided by his mother.

• His father, Emmitt Perry Sr., known for being abusive, significantly impacted Tyler's early life.
• His mother, Willie Maxine Perry, provided love and support despite the challenging family dynamics.
• Tyler Perry has three siblings: two sisters and one brother.
• As of recent information, Tyler Perry is not married.
• Has one child, a son named Aman Tyler Perry, born in November 2014.
• Had a long-term relationship with Gelila Bekele, a model and activist. Although they are no longer together, they co-parent their son.
• Tyler Perry is known for keeping his personal life relatively private, sharing limited details with the public.
• Actively involved in philanthropy, supporting numerous causes and providing aid to those in need, reflecting the values he likely wishes to impart to his family.