History of Tyler Perry in Timeline
Tyler Perry is an accomplished American actor, filmmaker, and playwright, best known for creating and portraying the iconic character Mabel "Madea" Simmons, along with her brother Joe and nephew Brian Simmons. Perry's diverse body of work ranges from traditional film productions to filmed adaptations of his successful stage plays. Madea's debut occurred in his 1999 play, 'I Can Do Bad All by Myself,' which premiered in Chicago, marking the beginning of a prolific career centered around his unique blend of comedy, drama, and social commentary.
April 11, 2006: Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings Publication
On April 11, 2006, Tyler Perry's first book, "Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings: Madea's Uninhibited Commentaries on Love and Life", was published, selling 30,000 copies.
2007: Purchase of Atlanta Estate
In 2007, Tyler Perry bought a 17-acre estate in the Paces neighborhood of Buckhead, Atlanta.
October 2008: Writers Guild Charges Against Tyler Perry Studios
In October 2008, the Writers Guild of America West filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging that Perry's production company, Tyler Perry Studios, unlawfully fired four writers in retaliation for them trying to get a union contract. The dispute was settled a month later.
July 20, 2009: Sponsorship of Children's Visit to Walt Disney World
On July 20, 2009, Tyler Perry sponsored 65 children from a Philadelphia day camp to visit Walt Disney World, after reading that a swim club had shunned them.
December 8, 2009: Death of Willie Maxine Perry
On December 8, 2009, Tyler Perry's mother, Willie Maxine Perry, died at age 64 following an illness.
2009: Threatened Legal Action Against Mo' Money Taxes
In 2009, Tyler Perry threatened legal action against Mo' Money Taxes, a tax preparation company, for running a TV spot that Perry felt offensively parodied his work, particularly "Madea Goes to Jail".
2009: Spike Lee's Criticism of Perry's Work
In 2009, filmmaker Spike Lee referred to certain portrayals in Tyler Perry's productions as "coonery buffoonery," expressing concern over the imaging in contemporary Black media.
August 2010: Purchase of Dean Gardens
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 tore down the existing mansion but never built a new home on the property.
May 28, 2013: The Haves and the Have Nots Premiere
On May 28, 2013, Tyler Perry's "The Haves and the Have Nots" premiered on OWN, becoming a successful soap opera/drama series that ran for 8 seasons.
May 29, 2013: The Haves and the Have Nots Sets Ratings Record
On May 29, 2013, it was reported that "The Haves and the Have Nots" set a new record for OWN, achieving the highest ratings ever for a series premiere on the network.
2013: Purchase of Land in Douglas County
In 2013, Tyler Perry's company, ETPC LLC, purchased around 1,100 acres in the New Manchester, Georgia 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", as part of Perry's continued partnership with OWN.
February 4, 2014: The Haves and the Have Nots Most Watched Program
On February 4, 2014, "The Haves and the Have Nots" became the most-watched program in all of cable television for the night.
March 11, 2014: The Haves and the Have Nots Season 2 Ratings 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.
September 9, 2014: If Loving You Is Wrong Premiere
On September 9, 2014, the hour-long drama series "If Loving You Is Wrong" premiered on OWN.
November 30, 2014: Birth of Son, Aman
On November 30, 2014, Tyler Perry's partner Gelila Bekele gave birth to their son, Aman.
2015: Perry Acquires Fort McPherson
In 2015, Tyler Perry acquired the 330-acre former military base Fort McPherson in Atlanta and converted it into studios.
May 2016: Sale of Atlanta Estate
In May 2016, Tyler Perry sold his house in the Paces neighborhood of Buckhead, Atlanta, for $17.5 million, closing the biggest deal ever for a private home in the Georgia capital.
June 14, 2017: Perry Signs Deal with Viacom
On June 14, 2017, Tyler Perry signed a long-term deal with Viacom (now ViacomCBS) for 90 episodes/year of original drama and comedy series.
September 2017: Purchase and Subsequent Sale of Los Angeles House
In September 2017, Tyler Perry purchased a house in Mulholland Estates, a gated community in Los Angeles, and sold the property for $15.6 million nine months later.
November 14, 2017: Higher Is Waiting Publication
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.
February 19, 2018: Black Panther Filmed at Tyler Perry Studios
On February 19, 2018, Tyler Perry announced on his Instagram account that the blockbuster Marvel film, "Black Panther", was the first to be filmed on one of the new stages at Tyler Perry Studios.
2019: The Oval, Sistas, and BET+ Premiere
In 2019, Tyler Perry's "The Oval", "Sistas", and BET+ (a brand new streaming service) premiered with strong ratings for BET, marking the beginning of Perry's TV deal with Viacom.
March 2020: Perry Provides 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 to relocate safely from Canada to California, following the withdrawal of their British royal protection.
December 2020: Perry Announces He Is a Bachelor
In December 2020, Tyler Perry announced that he was a bachelor.
2020: Criticism for Writing Scripts Independently
In 2020, Tyler Perry revealed that he writes all of his scripts independently without a writers' room, drawing criticism from some industry professionals who argued that it limits opportunities for emerging Black writers.
March 7, 2021: Perry Provides Security and Housing for Harry and Meghan
On March 7, 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan publicly revealed in an interview that Tyler Perry provided initial security and housing for three months in March 2020, allowing the couple to relocate safely from Canada to California.
July 20, 2021: The Haves and the Have Nots Series Finale
On July 20, 2021, "The Haves and the Have Nots" completed its series run after 8 seasons on OWN.
2021: Allegations of Sexual Assault
Since 2021, Derek Dixon an actor in some of Tyler Perry's productions has accused Perry of numerous acts of sexual assault and sexual battery against him.
2024: EEOC sexual harassment complaint
In 2024, Derek Dixon filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sexual harassment complaint against Tyler Perry, before departing from The Oval show.
June 13, 2025: Derek Dixon Files Lawsuit Against Perry
On June 13, 2025, Derek Dixon, an actor in some of Perry's productions, filed a lawsuit against Tyler Perry in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, accusing Perry of committing numerous acts of sexual assault and sexual battery against him since 2021.
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