Perry was born and raised in New Orleans, to Willie Maxine discussing the therapeutic nature of writing. This inspired him to begin writing and he worked through his bad experiences by writing letters to himself. He adapted his letters into a play, "I Know I've Changed", about domestic abuse. Unfortunately, after renting a theater in Atlanta to put on the play, he failed to attract audiences. He took on a series of odd jobs and found himself living in his car. But, in 1998, he was given a second chance to stage his play and, this time, he was more business-savvy with his marketing. The play was sold-out and drew attention from investors. Tyler has gone on to established a successful career as a writer, director and producer for stage, television and film.
Has been writing plays since he was 18. As of March 2005, his eight plays have grossed over US$75 million in tickets and DVD sales.
Before becoming a successful film-maker with Diary of a Mad Black Woman , he was already the owner of a successful play company that tours the country and caters to African-Americans. His plays are also recorded and sold as DVDs.
His plays often reference The Color Purple , which starred Oprah Winfrey. He credits "The Oprah Winfrey Show" with inspiring him to write.
Has a 12-acre estate outside Atlanta. He bought the former Dean Gardens in Johns Creek, GA for $7.6 million (previously listed as high as $40 million). The property has 1200 feet adjoining the Chattahoochee River, a golf course and is 58 acres.
Often quotes famous black-focused movies such as Whats Love Got to Do with It and The Color Purple . These two are especially quoted in Madeas Family Reunion .
2007 - Ranked #7 on EWs The 50 Smartest People in Hollywood.
Attended high school with rapper Mystikal.
His mother, Willie Maxine Perry, passed away on December 8, 2009 at age 64. She was a preschool teacher who worked at the New Orleans Jewish Community Center for most of her life.
Spent a period of time destitute and living on the streets of Atlanta after his play I Know Ive been changed flopped.
Worked in construction before his film career took off.
Good friends with Oprah Winfrey.
Son Aman Tyler Perry (b. November 30, 2014).
(June 2015) Purchased the shuttered Fort McPherson Army Base (1885-2011) for his "Tyler Perry Studios" operation, a 330-acre complex in southwest Atlanta where his own personal offices are housed in "The Dream Building". With this acquisition Perry becomes the first African-American to own a major film studio outright.
Is a huge Country Music fan.
Friends with Steve Harvey.
He who has the gold makes the rules. ("60 Minutes" (1968) , 25,October 2009),It takes a week to do a sitcom in Hollywood. I do a show a day in my,studio, three or four shows a week.
What I have learned in this life is you can never be ashamed of where you come from.
My biggest success is getting over the things that have tried to destroy and take me out of this life. Those are my biggest successes. It has nothing to do with work.
Everyone can relate to love, hurt, pain, learning how to forgive, needing to get over, needing the power of God in their life.
Very early on, when I started doing these plays and live shows, I would travel from city to city, and there were a million shows out there. . . so I wanted to step out among it, and I started putting my name above the title.
I want to own a network. I want to own a network where you can turn it on with your family all day long and get positive reinforcement.
The most important thing that I learned in growing up is that forgiveness is something that, when you do it, you free yourself to move on.
The heart of who I am as a person and as a man is forgiveness, after forgiving my father for a lot of things that were done when I was child.
