With eight consistent films under his belt, Tyler Perry has overcome the odds of his upbringing and earned a reputation as one of Hollywood's most relentless and profitable directors. As his dear friend and mentor, Oprah Winfrey recently stated, "Do not play him small because he is not just some lucky rich Negro-turned-black man." This and much more was all discussed on tonight's episode of the long-running newsmagazine show '60 Minutes,' where the critically acclaimed director-actor discussed an array of topics including being abused by his father, Emmitt, as a child to firing back at Spike Lee's controversial comments comparing Perry's body of work to "coonery and buffoonery."
Check out a video clip of Tyler Perry's reaction to Spike Lee below.
Oprah on her friendship with Tyler.
Oprah on how Tyler surprised her with a gift.
Comments: (203)
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By: Always Amazed... on 10/26/2009 12:52AM
Way to stand your ground, Tyler. When the work is comparable to this man's, then assessment of the concern can be given. When proof of the same amount (millions upon millions) of lives being changed and impacted, then this critical voice can be heard. Until then, it's time to DO THE RIGHT THING and give honor to whom honor is due. Way to go, Tyler!
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By: willkill1 on 10/26/2009 5:30AM
T.P,s work has a place to bad he will not be able to make a serious movie even if it is good it will not make any money because it will not be supported worldwide. Until he makes plenty of cash on these stupid flicks and do not give a rats ass about cash then he should make some serious flicks that are not only powerful but true game changers.
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By: vern rudolph on 10/27/2009 8:10AM
after reading several comments it's obvious that the one thing people are missing out on is an expression of Black life that few alive today have experienced. I take TP's movies in a historical yet comedic and dramantic way. The strong grandmother figure, the downhome folks, the family life in general that we don't see much of anymore as far as I'm concerned. I have 13 children 24 grandkids, 1 great grandchild. some of which I don't know, yet I raised my bunch w/ family is everything. in this age it don't mean anything, everything is about the ratrace.
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By: HERC on 10/27/2009 4:00PM
LET A WOMAN PLAY A WOMAN(MADEA) & LET A MAN BE A MAN.
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By: Scoop on 10/27/2009 3:14PM
I beg to differ Tyler has put out more than just comedy. Check the resume . For one daddy's little girls.
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By: Blu on 10/27/2009 10:28PM
Tyler Perry has already made millions off of his movies. All of his movies were box office hits whether you like him or not...The man already is successful. Spike Lee can squawk all he wants to but the man owns his own studios.... All of Spikes movies weren't hits.
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By: Niki J. on 10/31/2009 12:00AM
You are mistaken, Tyler Perry made Daddy's Little Girls, and Why Did I Get married. These were serious and well made movies that did not feature Madea or Mr. Brown. Truth be told Madea's Family Reunion, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Meet the Browns(the movie) and Madea Goes to Jail(the movie) which did feature Madea or Mr. Brown were all well made movies that dealt with serious,meaningful topics. take a closer look and you will see the imporatnce of the message and the beauty of its delivery.
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By: Faith L. Jones on 10/26/2009 10:20AM
I agree with Spike Lee. That is not to say that I am against Tyler Perry. He is just making a living. But, when you look at Hollywood's history of promoting Black works of art, they tend to favor those works that portray Blacks as pimps and hustlers, mammys and clowns, whores and the like. They do this because it is how they see us. And as long as they can see us this way, and worst yet, get us to see ourselves this way, they can maintain their (false) feeling of superiority. I believe this is what Spike was trying to explain, but his intentions were misunderstood.
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By: I agree on 10/27/2009 10:11AM
I agree. I like Tyler Perry's movies but I do cringe when the Madea and Brown characters come on. He goes too far with the ghetto, slapstick bafoonery. I think that his heart is in the right place and he is adding it to "hook" people while he slides a positive message in but he goes too far. Madea is darn right verbally abusive to the children in all of the movies. She's funny but goes overboard. Others love to see us in this light because it is what they expect and it is used to justify their prejudices. One thing that I appreciate about TP movies is that most of his characters (besides Madea and family) are professionals and have good jobs (ie. lawyers, doctors, etc.). This is a side that hollywood does not want to portray. He was even told "black folks don't talk like that" when he presented his scripts to hollywood. Liongate was the only ones who gave him a chance. If all of his characters were Madea-type, he would have had no problem getting his scripts on the big screen.
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By: queen on 10/27/2009 11:00AM
well some where along the way. you all seem to have forgotten our background, culture and up bringing. i don't believe there's a person alive that can "honestly" say that they never had a madea, or mr.brown in their family somewhere.all tyler is doing is showing us "us", and adding some humor as well as life changing situations with it,especially with the famly that preys together, we all know a sister that has chosen to be "white" and be with a white man,and has gotten just what happened in the movie... baby he's just showing you what some of you don't want to see or accept. be blessed.
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