History of Tyler Perry in Timeline
Tyler Perry is an American actor, filmmaker, and playwright best known for creating and portraying the character Mabel "Madea" Simmons. Perry's work spans various filmmaking styles, including traditional techniques and filmed stage play productions. Madea first appeared in his 1999 play, 'I Can Do Bad All by Myself,' marking the beginning of a successful and prolific career across stage and film.
September 13, 1969: Tyler Perry's Birth
On September 13, 1969, Emmitt Perry Jr., who would later become known as Tyler Perry, was born. He is an American actor, filmmaker, and playwright.
1975: Release of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf
Ntozake Shange's choreopoem For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf was released in 1975.
1998: Retooling and Restaging of 'I Know I've Been Changed'
In 1998, Tyler Perry, at age 28, successfully re-tooled the play 'I Know I've Been Changed' and re-staged it in Atlanta.
1999: Madea's First Appearance
In 1999, Madea, a character created and portrayed by Tyler Perry, made her first appearance in Perry's play I Can Do Bad All by Myself, which was staged in Chicago.
2005: Reported Ticket and Merchandise Sales
In 2005, Forbes reported that Tyler Perry had sold over $100 million in tickets, $30 million in videos of his shows, and an estimated $20 million in merchandise.
2005: Breakthrough Performance with 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman'
In 2005, Tyler Perry had his breakthrough performance with the film Diary of a Mad Black Woman, which he wrote and produced as an adaptation of his stage play of the same name.
April 11, 2006: Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings Published
On April 11, 2006, Perry's first book, Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings: Madea's Uninhibited Commentaries on Love and Life, was published. The book reached number one on the New York Times Best Seller list and was voted Book of the Year, Best Humor Book at the 2006 Quill Awards.
June 21, 2006: Premiere of Tyler Perry's House of Payne
On June 21, 2006, Tyler Perry's House of Payne premiered and ran for 8 seasons. It followed an African-American household of three generations.
2006: Tyler Perry's House of Payne Premieres
In 2006, Tyler Perry's House of Payne, a television series developed by Perry, premiered on TBS. The series ran for eight seasons until 2012.
2006: Release of Madea's Family Reunion
In 2006, Tyler Perry's film Madea's Family Reunion opened at number one at the box office with $30.3 million on its opening weekend (February 24–26). The film eventually grossed $65 million.
February 14, 2007: Release of Daddy's Little Girls
On February 14, 2007, Tyler Perry's film Daddy's Little Girls, starring Gabrielle Union and Idris Elba, was released in the United States.
March 5, 2007: Filming of 'Why Did I Get Married?' Begins
On March 5, 2007, filming began for Tyler Perry's film, Why Did I Get Married?, starting in Whistler, British Columbia, and then moving to Atlanta.
June 6, 2007: Tyler Perry's House of Payne Runs on TBS
On June 6, 2007, the first two episodes of Tyler Perry's House of Payne ran on TBS.
October 12, 2007: Release of 'Why Did I Get Married?'
On October 12, 2007, Tyler Perry's film, Why Did I Get Married?, was released, opening at number one and grossing US$21.4 million that weekend. It is loosely based on his play of the same name.
December 2007: Reruns of 'House of Payne' Before Second Season
Reruns of Tyler Perry's House of Payne were played through December 2007 before the second season began.
September 12, 2008: Release of The Family That Preys
On September 12, 2008, Tyler Perry's film The Family That Preys opened and grossed over US$37.1 million.
October 2008: Writers Guild Files Unfair Labor Charges
In October 2008, the Writers Guild of America West filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that Tyler Perry Studios unlawfully fired four writers in retaliation for them trying to get a union contract.
2008: Release of Miracle at St. Anna
In 2008, Spike Lee's film Miracle at St. Anna was released, which depicts the heroism of African American soldiers known as the Buffalo Soldiers during World War II. Spike Lee referenced this work when criticizing Tyler Perry in 2009.
2008: Tyler Perry Presents Peeples Play
Tyler Perry's play of the same name, that he would later produce as Tyler Perry Presents Peeples in 2013.
January 7, 2009: Premiere of Meet the Browns
On January 7, 2009, Tyler Perry's sitcom Meet the Browns premiered on TBS.
February 20, 2009: Madea Goes to Jail Opened at Number One
On February 20, 2009, Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail opened at number one, grossing US$41 million and becoming his largest opening to date.
July 20, 2009: Perry Sponsors Children's Trip to Walt Disney World
On July 20, 2009, Tyler Perry sponsored 65 children from a Philadelphia day camp to visit Walt Disney World, after learning that they had been shunned by a swim club.
October 2009: Perry Responds to Spike Lee's Criticism
In October 2009, during a 60 Minutes interview, Tyler Perry responded to Spike Lee's criticism of his work, expressing his anger and stating that such attitudes make Hollywood think that these people do not exist, also stating that his characters are bait to talk about important topics.
December 8, 2009: Death of Tyler Perry's Mother
On December 8, 2009, Tyler Perry's mother, Willie Maxine Perry, died at age 64 following an illness.
2009: Co-Production of 'Precious'
In 2009, Tyler Perry co-produced Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire alongside Oprah Winfrey and Lee Daniels. The film was directed by Daniels and starred Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique.
2009: Spike Lee Criticizes Perry's Work
In 2009, director Spike Lee criticized Tyler Perry's work, stating that some of it is 'coonery buffoonery' and questioned whether Perry's success was simply giving black America what they wanted, adding that the imaging is troubling.
2009: Legal Action Threatened Against Mo' Money Taxes
In early 2009, Tyler Perry threatened legal action against Mo' Money Taxes, a tax preparation company, for running a TV spot that he felt offensively parodied his work, particularly Madea Goes to Jail. The offending ad was dropped from circulation.
April 2, 2010: Why Did I Get Married Too? Opened in Theaters
On April 2, 2010, Why Did I Get Married Too?, the sequel to Why Did I Get Married?, opened in theaters, grossing US$60 million domestically.
May 2010: Forbes Lists Perry as Highest-Paid Man
In May 2010, Forbes listed Tyler Perry as the highest-paid man in entertainment, earning $130 million between May 2010 and May 2011.
May 2010: Lionsgate Announces Plans to Release Films in the UK
In May 2010, Lionsgate announced plans to begin releasing Tyler Perry's films in the United Kingdom.
August 2010: Perry Purchases Dean Gardens Estate
In August 2010, it was reported that Tyler Perry had purchased Dean Gardens, a 58-acre estate in the Atlanta suburb of Johns Creek. He later tore down the existing mansion.
November 5, 2010: Release of For Colored Girls Film Adaptation
On November 5, 2010, Tyler Perry's film adaptation of Ntozake Shange's 1975 choreopoem For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf was released in theaters.
April 21, 2011: Goldie Taylor Interview on NPR
On April 21, 2011, Goldie Taylor of The Grio and MSNBC stated in an NPR All Things Considered interview regarding Perry's target audience that Tyler Perry is speaking directly to her mother, sister, and cousins and meeting them at their point of need.
May 2011: Tyler Perry's Earnings
Tyler Perry earned $130 million between May 2010 and May 2011.
June 2011: Perry's Films Gross Over US$500 Million Worldwide
As of June 2011, Tyler Perry's films had grossed over US$500 million worldwide.
November 18, 2011: End of Meet the Browns
On November 18, 2011, Tyler Perry's sitcom Meet the Browns ended on TBS.
November 25, 2011: Premiere of For Better or Worse
On November 25, 2011, Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse premiered on TBS.
2011: Release of Madea's Big Happy Family Movie
In 2011, Tyler Perry's film version of Madea's Big Happy Family was released, raking in US$25.8 million at the box office.
February 24, 2012: Release of Good Deeds
On February 24, 2012, Tyler Perry's film Good Deeds, a romantic drama film written, directed by, and starring Perry, was released.
June 29, 2012: Release of Madea's Witness Protection
On June 29, 2012, Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection, his seventh film within the Madea franchise, was released.
August 10, 2012: End of Tyler Perry's House of Payne
On August 10, 2012, Tyler Perry's House of Payne concluded after 8 seasons.
October 2, 2012: Exclusive Partnership with OWN
On October 2, 2012, Tyler Perry established an exclusive multi-year partnership with Oprah Winfrey and her Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
October 19, 2012: Release of Alex Cross
On October 19, 2012, Tyler Perry's film Alex Cross opened. The film was poorly received.
2012: Perry in 'Alex Cross'
In 2012, Perry was cast in the Hollywood film Alex Cross.
2012: Partnership with Oprah Winfrey Network
In 2012, Tyler Perry entered into an exclusive multi-year partnership with Oprah Winfrey and her Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
February 2013: Cancellation of For Better or Worse by TBS
In February 2013, Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse was cancelled by TBS.
March 29, 2013: Release of Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor
On March 29, 2013, Tyler Perry's film Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor was released.
May 10, 2013: Release of Tyler Perry Presents Peeples
On May 10, 2013, Tyler Perry produced Tyler Perry Presents Peeples.
May 28, 2013: The Haves and the Have Nots Premiere
On May 28, 2013, The Haves and the Have Nots, a soap opera/drama series created by Tyler Perry, premiered on OWN.
May 29, 2013: The Haves and the Have Nots sets ratings record for OWN
On May 29, 2013, it was reported that The Haves and the Have Nots set a new record for OWN, scoring the highest ratings ever for a series premiere on the network.
September 18, 2013: Revival of For Better or Worse by OWN
On September 18, 2013, Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse was revived by OWN for a third season.
December 13, 2013: Release of A Madea Christmas
On December 13, 2013, Tyler Perry's film A Madea Christmas was released.
2013: ETPC LLC Purchases Land in Douglas County
In 2013, Tyler Perry's company, ETPC LLC, purchased around 1,100 acres in the New Manchester area of Douglas County, Georgia.
January 9, 2014: OWN orders If Loving You Is Wrong
On January 9, 2014, OWN ordered its fourth scripted series (and fourth series by Perry) based on the feature film, The Single Moms Club, called If Loving You Is Wrong.
February 4, 2014: The Haves and the Have Nots is most watched cable program
On February 4, 2014, The Haves and the Have Nots was the most watched program in all of cable television for the night.
March 11, 2014: The Haves and the Have Nots Season 2 sets OWN record
On March 11, 2014, a season 2 episode of The Haves and the Have Nots set an OWN record when it scored the highest ratings in the network's history, bringing in 3.6 million viewers.
March 14, 2014: Release of The Single Moms Club
On March 14, 2014, Tyler Perry's film The Single Moms Club was released.
September 9, 2014: If Loving You Is Wrong Premieres
On September 9, 2014, the hour-long drama series "If Loving You Is Wrong" premiered.
November 30, 2014: Birth of Perry's Son
On November 30, 2014, Tyler Perry's partner Gelila Bekele gave birth to their son, Aman.
2014: Perry in 'Gone Girl'
In 2014, Perry was cast in the Hollywood film Gone Girl.
January 20, 2015: Release of Madea's Tough Love
On January 20, 2015, Tyler Perry's first animated movie, Madea's Tough Love, was released on DVD.
2015: Perry Acquired Fort McPherson
In 2015, Perry acquired the 330-acre former military base Fort McPherson in Atlanta and converted it to studios.
January 2016: Filming of Boo! A Madea Halloween Begins
In mid-January 2016, Tyler Perry started filming his seventeenth film, and ninth within the Madea franchise, Boo! A Madea Halloween.
May 2016: Perry Sells Buckhead Estate
In May 2016, Tyler Perry sold his 17-acre estate in the Paces neighborhood of Buckhead, Atlanta, for $17.5 million, closing the biggest deal ever for a private home in the Georgia capital.
October 21, 2016: Release of Boo! A Madea Halloween
On October 21, 2016, Tyler Perry's film Boo! A Madea Halloween was released.
2016: Perry in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows'
In 2016, Perry played scientist Baxter Stockman in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.
June 14, 2017: Perry Signs Deal with Viacom
On June 14, 2017, Perry signed a long-term deal with Viacom (now ViacomCBS) for 90 episodes/year of original drama and comedy series.
September 2017: Perry Purchases House in Mulholland Estates
In September 2017, Tyler Perry purchased a house in Mulholland Estates, a gated community in Los Angeles.
October 2017: Release of Boo 2! A Madea Halloween
In October 2017, Tyler Perry's sequel, Boo 2! A Madea Halloween, was released.
November 14, 2017: Higher Is Waiting Published
On November 14, 2017, Tyler Perry's second book, Higher Is Waiting, was published and debuted at number 5 on the New York Times Best Seller list.
November 17, 2017: Release of 'The Star'
On November 17, 2017, Tyler Perry, alongside Oprah Winfrey, lent his voice in his first animated film, called The Star.
February 19, 2018: Black Panther Filmed at Tyler Perry Studios
On February 19, 2018, Tyler Perry announced on his Instagram account that the Marvel film, Black Panther, was the first to be filmed on one of the new stages at Tyler Perry Studios.
2018: Perry in 'Vice'
In 2018, Perry was cast in the Hollywood film Vice.
2019: Perry Produces The Oval for BET
In 2019, Tyler Perry produced the political drama series The Oval for BET.
2019: The Oval, Sistas, and BET+ Premiere
In 2019, as part of the deal with Viacom, The Oval and Sistas premiered with strong ratings for BET, and BET+ (a streaming service) launched.
January 6, 2020: Perry Posts Video on Instagram
On January 6, 2020, Tyler Perry posted a video on Instagram revealing that he doesn't use a writers room for his films and TV shows, which drew criticism for denying opportunities to up-and-coming black writers.
March 2020: Perry Provided Security and Housing for Harry and Meghan
In March 2020, Tyler Perry provided initial security and housing for three months that allowed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to relocate safely from Canada to California.
2020: Atlanta episode satirizes Perry
In 2020, Donald Glover's FX series Atlanta aired an episode titled "Work Ethic!" which was interpreted as a satire of Tyler Perry and the way he runs his studios in Atlanta.
2020: Inclusion in Time's 100 Most Influential People and Governor's Award
In 2020, Tyler Perry was included in Time's list of the 100 most influential people and received the Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
March 7, 2021: Perry Provided Security and Housing for Harry and Meghan
On March 7, 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed in an interview that Tyler Perry provided initial security and housing for three months that allowed them to relocate from Canada to California in March 2020.
July 20, 2021: The Haves and the Have Nots Series Finale
On July 20, 2021, The Haves and the Have Nots concluded its series run on OWN after 8 seasons.
2021: Various Film Roles in 2021
In 2021, Perry appeared in Those Who Wish Me Dead, Don't Look Up, and Paw Patrol: The Movie.
2021: Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
In 2021, Tyler Perry received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy Awards.
2024: Value of Initial Investment in 2024
In 1992, Tyler Perry financed the first performance of 'I Know I've Been Changed' with US$12,000, which is equivalent to $28,881 in 2024.
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