ACTOR STORY
How Tyler Perry Went from Homeless to Hollywood Mogul
Tyler Perry, the actor/director/playwright, proves that you can go from homeless dreamer to Hollywood Mogul if you believe in yourself and never stop trying
(Arranged by Carmichael Phillips)
(Tyler Perry as Madea)
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ACTOR STORY | How Tyler Perry Went from Homeless to Hollywood Mogul
25 Inspirational Quotes by Tyler Perry
If you think your struggles are overwhelming; if you think your dreams of success in the entertainment business are insurmountable; then you should reflect on Tyler Perry’s perilous journey. You’ll probably conclude that your plight isn’t nearly as grievous as it seems.
Tyler Perry, the actor/director/playwright, proves that you can go from broke, homeless dreamer to Hollywood Mogul if you believe in yourself and never stop trying.
“I don’t think the dreams die – I think that people give up. I think it gets too hard. There were so many dark days when I wanted to lie there and die.”
(Tyler Perry)
Tyler Perry’s struggle was real. It involves physical, verbal and sexual abuse as a child. It involves family discord and school failures.
But the part of Perry’s life we’d like to focus on are his struggles as a young actor and aspiring playwright. This piece caught our eye, from an interview he did with Oprah several years ago:
The director, playwright, and actor is the first black studio mogul in American history—but…years ago he was living in his car.
Tyler…grew up in New Orleans, in a physically abusive home. Outside the home he was also sexually abused, as he recently revealed on my show. The trauma left him confused and angry—one especially “nasty” outburst got him kicked out of high school—but he found an outlet in writing about his life.
(Tyler Perry in Gone Girl)
In 1992, Tyler moved to Atlanta with the dream of staging his first play. When that effort failed (and failed, and failed, six times over), he was left homeless, disheartened, and broke—but not broken.
As Perry explains:
“[I] Moved from New Orleans to Atlanta, wrote the show, had all my money tied up in it. I had worked selling used cars, I had worked at hotels, I had saved my tax return, I’d saved $12,000 to put this play up, and I thought 1,200 people would see it over a weekend. Thirty people showed up. It was pretty devastating, because to do this, I had to leave the job I had.”
This is the kind of rejection that would lead most aspiring performers to move on to other pursuits and abandon their dreams altogether. But for the dreamer who chooses to continue the fight, great things can happen. That’s what Tyler Perry did.
“I went back to work, started trying to do the show again. And then I got an opportunity to do it and went to my boss and said, “I need time off.” They wouldn’t give it to me, so I had to quit. I tried to do the show again the following year. It failed again. But there was something in me that said, This is what you’re supposed to do.”
(Tyler Perry in Alex Cross)
Rejection did not force Perry to quit. But it certainly brought him close to the brink.
“March 12, 1998. I had made the choice to do this last show. And this time there was a line of people around the corner trying to get in the place. From that moment on, the houses have been sold out everywhere.”
He kept on pursuing his dream, and in 1998 it finally took flight, when hundreds of mostly African-American fans lined up to buy tickets for the seventh staging of the show he’d devoted his life to, I Know I’ve Been Changed. Since then millions of people have turned out to see Tyler’s work.
Tyler Perry’s story is nothing short of miraculous. He overcame person pain and professional setbacks to become one of the most powerful men in the entertainment business. He now owns his own studios and produces and stars in his own movies. And, in September, Forbes reported that Tyler Perry is Hollywood’s newest billionaire!
This story, of course, is not typical. Most actors will never achieve the heights that Tyler Perry has achieved. But his story is proof of the value of tenacity and perseverance, hard work and dedication.
One can only imagine the many times he considered giving up: the times he put on a play and no one showed up, the nights living in seedy motels or in his car, the times he lost all his money.
“There was something in me that said, This is what you’re supposed to do.”
(Tyler Perry)
Had he quit, he would not be the Tyler Perry we know today. He would not be starring in movies like Alex Cross (2012), Gone Girl (2014) and Vice (2018). He would not be the producer of television shows like Tyler Perry’s House of Payne or Meet the Browns. And he would never be the owner of his own movie studio, Tyler Perry Studios, a 330-acre converted military base in Atlanta, Georgia.
And, bonus, had Tyler Perry quit on his dreams when times got rough, we might never have been introduced to the hilarious “Madea”, his signature character that he performs in drag. And what a drag that would have been!
What Changed Tyler Perry’s Life?
The transformative journey of a storyteller who turned pain into purpose.
(By Carmichael Phillip)
A Troubled Beginning
Before Tyler Perry became a household name synonymous with success, his early years were filled with hardship and pain. Born Emmitt Perry Jr. on September 13, 1969, in New Orleans, Louisiana, he endured a tumultuous childhood marked by abuse and instability. Reflecting on his upbringing, Perry once stated, “From a very young age, I knew that there had to be a better life than the one I was living.”
Growing up, Perry struggled with a strained relationship with his father. His mother took him to church every Sunday, where he found solace and a sense of belonging. It was during these early visits to church that Perry discovered the power of storytelling — an escape from the harsh realities of his daily life.
A Seed Planted by Oprah Winfrey
One pivotal moment in Tyler Perry’s life came in his early twenties when he happened to watch an episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Oprah discussed how writing about one’s experiences could be therapeutic and healing. This advice struck a deep chord with Perry.
Inspired, Perry began writing a series of letters to himself, which he later transformed into a script for a play titled I Know I’ve Been Changed. Speaking of this moment, Perry said, “That show saved my life. It gave me permission to heal.”
It was the first time he used writing as a tool to confront and process the pain of his past. This marked the beginning of Perry’s journey toward becoming a playwright, filmmaker, and cultural icon.
Homeless but Hopeful
Despite his newfound passion, success did not come easily. Perry worked tirelessly to produce I Know I’ve Been Changed, pouring all his savings into the production. The initial runs of the play were financial disasters, often leaving Perry broke and homeless. He lived out of his car for months at a time while continuing to rewrite and improve the show.
“I was sleeping in my Geo Metro,” Perry recounted in interviews. “But every night, I would dream about the success I knew was coming.” His unwavering belief in his vision kept him going through the darkest times.
This period of hardship taught Perry resilience and cemented his faith in perseverance, a theme that would later resonate strongly in his work and his life philosophy.
Breakthrough and Building an Empire
After years of setbacks, Perry finally achieved success when I Know I’ve Been Changed began to draw audiences in Atlanta in the late 1990s. The play’s themes of redemption, forgiveness, and faith struck a powerful chord with viewers, particularly within the African-American community.
With the profits from his theatrical productions, Perry expanded into film and television, introducing the world to his beloved character, Madea. He explained, “Madea is an amalgamation of all the strong, funny women who raised me.”
In 2005, Perry produced Diary of a Mad Black Woman, his first feature film, which became a box office hit despite receiving mixed critical reviews. It solidified his place in Hollywood and showcased the lucrative potential of telling authentic, relatable stories.
Faith as a Cornerstone
Tyler Perry often credits his Christian faith as the cornerstone of his resilience and success. He has never been shy about discussing how prayer and belief in a higher power guided him through difficult periods.
At the 2019 BET Awards, Perry remarked during his acceptance speech, “While you’re fighting for a seat at the table, I’ll be down in Atlanta building my own.” His words were a testament to his belief in divine purpose and self-sufficiency.
Faith didn’t just give Perry personal strength; it became an intrinsic part of the messages he spread through his stories — messages of hope, healing, and redemption.
Opening Tyler Perry Studios
Another life-changing event for Tyler Perry came in 2019 when he officially opened Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Built on the grounds of a former Confederate army base, the 330-acre studio is one of the largest in the U.S. and the first to be owned outright by an African-American.
During the opening gala, Perry said, “The land that was once a Confederate Army base — which meant to keep 3.9 million Black people enslaved — now belongs to one Black man.”
The studio’s opening symbolized not only Perry’s personal triumph but also a significant milestone in Hollywood’s history. It allowed Perry to create opportunities for countless aspiring filmmakers, actors, and crew members.
Advocate for Representation and Giving Back
Throughout his career, Perry has been a vocal advocate for greater diversity and representation in entertainment. His work has consistently highlighted Black stories, families, and struggles often overlooked by mainstream Hollywood.
In addition to his contributions to entertainment, Perry has also become known for his philanthropic efforts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he paid grocery bills for elderly shoppers and donated millions to organizations supporting vulnerable communities.
When reflecting on his success, Perry often emphasizes the importance of reaching back and lifting others. He once stated, “My mother always taught me to be kind to people because you never know what they are going through.”
Lessons Learned and Shared
Tyler Perry’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and relentless determination. His journey teaches us that circumstances do not define destiny; resilience and belief in oneself do.
In interviews, Perry often shares a powerful piece of advice: “You have to be willing to do what others won’t to have what others don’t.” This mindset has propelled him from homelessness to billionaire status.
He also stresses the importance of healing: “Don’t let your past be your anchor. Let it be your fuel.”
Conclusion: A Life Transformed by Faith and Fortitude
Tyler Perry’s life changed because he dared to confront his pain, believe in his dreams, and persevere when everything seemed lost. He turned his struggles into a platform to inspire and uplift millions.
As he once eloquently put it, “I know that my life is bigger than me. It’s about using my gifts to help others find their own way.”
Today, Tyler Perry stands not just as an entertainment mogul, but as a living testament to the power of resilience, faith, and vision.
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