Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry is an American actor, producer, director and playwright known for creating and performing the Madea character, developing work across stage, film and television, and founding Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.

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About Tyler Perry

Profile information current to 2026-08-22.

United States · Producer, Director, Actor · 1 affiliation

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Also known as: Emmitt Perry Jr.
Known for: Madea character and franchise; Stage, film and television production; Studio development in Atlanta
Country: United States

Producer
Director
Actor
Screenwriter
Playwright
Entrepreneur

At a glance

Perry created and performed Mabel “Madea” Simmons across stage and screen productions.
His career developed from self-produced plays into feature films and television programming.
He founded Tyler Perry Studios, whose Atlanta production site occupies the former Fort McPherson property.
His institutional honors include the Television Academy’s 2020 Governors Award and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award associated with the 93rd Oscars.

Early life and entry into theater

Born in New Orleans in 1969, Perry did not complete high school and later earned a General Educational Development credential. He wrote his first play, I Know I’ve Been Changed, in 1992, beginning a career rooted in self-produced stage work.

Madea and expansion to screen

Perry created and performed Mabel “Madea” Simmons, a recurring character central to his stage and screen work. His career expanded into feature film with Diary of a Mad Black Woman in 2005 and into television through productions including Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and scripted programming for OWN.

Tyler Perry Studios

Tyler Perry Studios was founded in 2006. Perry acquired the 330-acre former Fort McPherson property in Atlanta in 2015, and the studio held the grand opening of that location in 2019. The studio describes the site as having 12 purpose-built sound stages and 200 acres of greenspace.

Institutional recognition

Perry and The Perry Foundation received the Television Academy’s 2020 Governors Award. Perry was also recognized as the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award honoree for the 93rd Oscars in 2021.

Affiliations

Tyler Perry Studios Founder 2006–present

Timeline

1992 Perry wrote his first play, I Know I’ve Been Changed.
2005 Perry moved into feature film with Diary of a Mad Black Woman, according to his official biography.
2006 Tyler Perry Studios was founded.
2015 Perry acquired the 330-acre former Fort McPherson property that became the present Tyler Perry Studios site.
2019 Tyler Perry Studios held the grand opening of its Fort McPherson location.
2020 Perry and The Perry Foundation received the Television Academy Governors Award.
2021-04-25 Perry received recognition as the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award honoree for the 93rd Oscars.

Additional verified details

Current context

In June 2025, actor Derek Dixon filed a civil lawsuit seeking at least $260 million and alleging sexual assault, sexual harassment and retaliation connected to work on Perry-created series. Perry’s attorney characterized the allegations as false and fabricated. These are allegations in a civil complaint, not adjudicated findings. The supplied research did not independently verify a court-docket disposition as of 2026-08-22.
In December 2025, actor Mario Rodriguez filed a separate lawsuit seeking $77 million and alleging sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Perry’s attorney disputed the allegations. These are allegations in a civil complaint, not adjudicated findings. The supplied research did not independently verify a court-docket disposition as of 2026-08-22.

Biographical facts

Perry was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969.
Perry did not complete high school and later earned a General Educational Development credential.
Perry created and performed the character Mabel “Madea” Simmons across stage and screen work.
Perry’s career began in self-produced stage work and later expanded into feature films and television, including Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and scripted programming for OWN.
Perry acquired the former Fort McPherson property in Atlanta in 2015; Tyler Perry Studios describes the 330-acre site as including 12 purpose-built sound stages and 200 acres of greenspace.
Perry and The Perry Foundation received the Television Academy’s 2020 Governors Award.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences lists Perry as a recipient of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for the 93rd Oscars.