Tyler Perry Gets His Own Studio

Tyler Perry, the actor and writer behind Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Why Did I Get Married?, is the first African-American to launch a major television and film production studio. At a party in his honor last Saturday night, Will Smith cracked jokes with Perry while acting legend Sidney Poitier, 81,  who was the first African-American to win an Oscar, in 1963, was on hand to celebrate the achievement -- as was Oprah, who was among the many teary-eyed celebrity guests. 

Perry was born in New Orleans and dropped out of school at age 16 (later to earn a GED). He didn't get along with his father and used writing to come to terms with a painful childhood, starting in the theatre. He struggled to make ends meet as a used car salesman in Atlanta while saving up money to stage his first play, which did not garner any success or attention.

Perry ultimately won accolades and fame with the plays Diary of a Mad Black Women, Madae's Family Reunion, and Why Did I Get Married? He turned to films, also aimed primarily at at African-American audience, most recently releasing The Family That Preys, starring Alfre Woodward and Kathy Bates. Perry also produces the TV show Tyler Perry's House of Payne.

What will he produce next, out of his very own studio?!

--Anna Bengel

Comments

[Dan]

I'm kind of surprised this didn't have more of an effect on the gala:

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/writers-at-tyler-perry-studio-to-take-strike-action-will-picket-grand-opening-and-ask-invited-guests-not-to-attend/

[destinee davis]

HI TYLER PERRY MY NAME IS DESTINEE DAVIS I AM 15 YEARS OLD I WOULD REALLY WOULD LIKE TO ACT FOR YOU ME AND MY 3 YEAR OLD LIL SISTER AND I LIVE WITH MY MOM.BUT SHE IS A SINGLE PARENT AND SHE STRUGGLES ON WELFARE BUT WATEVER IT TAKES MY MOM MAKES A WAY FOR US.WITHOUT HER NOT KNOEING HOW TO READ OR WRITE SHE STILL MAKES A WAY FOR US.IM JUST REALLY TRYNA DO ACTING AND LIVE A BETTER LIFE .I STAY IN LONG BEACH CALIFORNIA AND IT IS REALLY HARD ON YOUNG TEENAGERS .I HOPE THAT THIS PARAGRAPH THAT I WROTE TO U MEAN SOMETHING TO YOU IT MEANS A WHOLE LOT TO ME I WATCH YOUR MOVIES ALL THE TIME I REEALLY ENJOY WATCHING THEM PLEASE TYLER PERRY WRITE ME BACK...
LOVE.....DESTINEE GOD BLESS

[TRINA]

I'M SO PROUD OF YOU TYLER PERRY .THANKS FOR GIVING BEGINERS A CHANCE AND KEEPING GOD IN YOUR WORK.THANKS FOR GIVING US HOPE. YOU ARE SUCH A INSPERATION TO US BLACKS & PROBABLY WHITE TOO. WE LOVE YOU.PS. JUST DONT PUT TO MUCH CURSING IN THE FILMS SO MY KIDS CAN WATCH THEM TOO.GOD BLESS YOU

[PATRYNA GOOSBY]

TYLER PERRY, I'AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO. LIVING IN ALABAMA. I'M IN COLLGE ATTENDING TWO SCHOOLS FOR MARKETING & JUST STARTED CREATIVE WRITING . I WAS A TEENAGE MOTHER WHO DROPED OUT OF SCHOOL AND LATER GOT MY GED IN THE MIST OF A DIVORCE.I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PASSION TO ACT BUT DIDNT HAVE MUCH FAITH INTILL I STARTED SEEING YOUR WORK.I LOVE TO WRITE POEMS & SONGS ECT I LIKE NONFICTION WRITING MOST .I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO ACT OR WRITE JUST ONCE FOR YOU, WOULD BE A DREAM COME TRUE. IT DONT EVEN HAVE TO BE THAT LONG.I PUT MY DREAMS ON THE BACK BURNER BECAUSE I WANTED TO RAISE MY KIDS FIRST, BUT I'M 30 NOW AND I HAVE A 13 YR AND 4 YEAR OLD & IF I HAVE A BALANCE I CAN DO IT.ATLATAS NOT FAR FROM ME AND WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME BUT IF NOT I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CANT HELP EVERYBODY.LOVE YOU & GOD BLESS YOU