Actor and director Tyler Perry always worked hard even while poor and when no one watched his church inspired plays. These days, the creator of such shows as Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, The Haves and the Have Nots, and movies The Family That Preys and Good Deeds is now a billionaire. Let’s not forget Madea, and the many films created with the character Perry made famous as a gun-toting, foul mouth woman who always had a hilarious but loving family message underneath the wig and dress.  

The New Orleans native’s journey to his new status didn’t happen overnight, but Perry always believed in creating. “Ownership changes everything,” he told Forbes.

“Forbes has added Perry to its list of billionaires and estimates that he has earned “more than $1.4 billion in pretax income since 2005.”

“I own the lights. I own the sets,” so that’s where the difference is. Because I own everything, my returns are higher.”

Perry built his studio on the land of Fort McPherson, which was once a Confederate military base in Atlanta, GA. 

The studio is a big part of Perry’s financial media empire. Not slowing down, he and cast and crew have been able to work during the pandemic (safely) filming new shows like Assisted Living and regular series Oval and Ruthless. 

Hard work pays off. Congratulations, Tyler Perry!

By BSM Team

Photo credit: Slaven Vlasic/Getty