Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry was born on September 13 1969 and is an American playwright, actor and film director. His best-known character is Mabel Simmons, more commonly known as "Madea," an overbearing but well-intentioned woman who serves both as comic relief and as the loud voice of conscience to the protagonists of Perry's plays.

Tyler was born Emmitt R. Perry, Jr. in New Orleans, one of four children. Perry changed his first name to Tyler because of his troubled relationship with his father. His father, Emmitt, Sr., was a carpenter and construction worker, and his mother, Maxine, was a pre-school teacher and worked at the New Orleans Jewish Community Center for most of her life. His childhood in New Orleans was marked by poverty and physical abuse from his father. Tyler Perry dropped out of school when he was 16, but later went back to school to obtain his GED. Tyler Perry is a Christian.

The Tyler Perry Fan Clubs all over the country have grown with the help of the internet. Tyler Perry has written 5 movies that have already premiered, and 1 that will premiere at the end of 2008 and 1 to premiere in February of 2009. With many more to still come.