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Tyler Perry: From humble beginnings to entertainment mogul
Mar 12, 2025
From the “Madea” franchise to “The Haves and the Have Nots,” Tyler Perry has been responsible for some of the most popular movies and TV shows from the last couple of decades, making him one of the world’s wealthiest celebrities. But how did this actor, filmmaker and playwright build his billion-dollar entertainment empire?
below, including his impact on representation in Hollywood, philanthropic endeavors and influence on Black creatives. You’ll also learn how Tyler went from being unhoused to a pop cultural figure who changed the face of TV, movies and theater.
Early life and background
Tyler Perry was born Emmitt Perry Jr. on Sept. 13, 1969, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He says he suffered physical abuse from his father and sexual abuse from several adults, causing him to feel unsafe. Tyler also survived a suicide attempt and dropped out of high school. He later changed his birth name to distance himself from his father.
Other traumatic experiences shaped Tyler’s childhood, including dealing with a middle school science teacher who, he says, “hated” him:
“I didn’t know why he hated me, but I was sitting in the room, and I was really leaning in and paying attention. He was like, ‘Why are you looking at me that like that? You don’t intimidate me.'”
Tyler’s passion for writing began after watching an episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” that highlighted the benefits of writing things down. He says:
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