Tale Of The Titans: Spike Lee & Tyler Perry

Despite being what some believe to be polar opposites, both Spike Lee and Tyller Perry have more than a few things in common. BlackVoices.com explores how both filmmakers have proved themselves to be viable commodities – helping to break the careers of new talent, while transforming and resurrecting the careers of other legendary actors, all the while becoming their own men unapologetically making the types of films they are passionate about.

Here's the Tale of Two Titans.

Tale Of The Titans: Spike Lee & Tyler Perry

Both Don't Use Their Birth Names:
Neither Spike Lee nor Tyler Perry go by their real names, professionally. Perry was born Emmitt Perry Jr., while Lee was born Shelton Jackson Lee.

Tale Of The Titans: Spike Lee & Tyler Perry

Both Have Connections To Atlanta :
In the early 1990s, Perry moved to Atlanta. He took his life savings and financed his first stage play 'I Know I've Been Changed,' which spawned his theater career. Perry, who still resides in Atlanta, has since opened up his Tyler Perry Studios complex there and several of his films are set in Atlanta. Lee, on the other hand, was born in Hotlanta and returned in the 1970s to attend the prestigious black male institution, Morehouse College, an experience which served as the inspiration for his cult classic 'School Daze.'

Tale Of The Titans: Spike Lee & Tyler Perry

Both Had Alter Egos That Blew Up:
Both filmmakers also have created alter egos which have become their own celebrities. Perry's Madea has become the star of several of his plays and movies, while Lee's New York Knicks fanatic character Mars Blackmon Tyler from 'She's Gotta Have It' has spawned his own Air Jordan sneaker line and a popular ad campaign with Nike.

Tale Of The Titans: Spike Lee & Tyler Perry

Both Criticized For Stereotypes In Their Movies:
There's no getting over the public's on-again, off-again disdain with stereotypical images in the work of both Perry and Lee. For years, many movie-goers and critics have found fault with Perry cross-dressing as no-nonsense Southern women Mabel 'Madea' Simmons – a character he says is based off his favorite aunt. Some, including, Lee also criticize the overall characters and storylines of his films labeling them coonery and buffoonery. Meanwhile Lee has been criticized for portraying promiscuous women in films like 'She Gotta Have It' and 'Girl 6 and for highlighting Brooklyn, New York's dodgy race relations and hood dynamics.

Tale Of The Titans: Spike Lee & Tyler Perry

Both Shed Light On Black Family Stories:
Though Hollywood has traditionally had difficulty shedding light on how most black families live, it has been an on-going mission for Spike Lee to document what he saw growing up in his beloved neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York – a focal point of 'Do the Right Thing' and 'Crooklyn.' Perry has explored the black Southern experience in nearly all of his films – which is a nod to his humble upbringings in Louisiana. Three-time Emmy Award winner Alfre Woodward starred in Lee's 'Crooklyn' and Perry's 'The Family That Preys.'

Tale Of The Titans: Spike Lee & Tyler Perry

Hollywood Legends Who Have Starred in Their Movies:
It has always been important for both directors to pay homage to some of the actors who they grew up admiring. For Perry, he cast old school greats like Cicely Tyson in his debut 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman' and Lou Gossett Jr. who appeared in 'Why Did I Get Married Too?' And, Lee enlisted real-life acting couple Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee in 'Do The Right Thing,' and Alfre Woodard in 'Crooklyn.'

Tale Of The Titans: Spike Lee & Tyler Perry

Both Launched Careers of Promising Upstarts:
Providing the material to help launch an actor's career and having the public take notice of that newcomer is never an easy fete for a filmmaker. Both Lee and Perry can be credited with jumpstarting the acting careers of several of today's big names. Perry helped to start the careers of Lance Gross, who appeared in his movie 'Meet the Browns' and is cast on his TBS sitcom 'Tyler Perry's House of Payne,' and Grammy Award-winning soul singer Jill Scott, who made her big screen debut in the 'Why Did I Get Married' franchise. As for Lee, he gave Halle Berry and Queen Latifah a forum to show their acting skills in 'Jungle Fever,' Laurence Fishburne a chance in 'School Daze,' Dania Ramirez a shot in '25th Hour' and 'She Hate Me' and picked Mekhi Phifer out in an open casting call of thousands for his talented acting debut in 'Clockers.'

Tale Of The Titans: Spike Lee & Tyler Perry

Both Have Acclaimed Actors They Always Look Out For:
Like many Hollywood directors, Perry and Lee have grown fond of certain actors who they have chosen to work with film after film. For Perry, it's been funny woman and firecracker actress Tasha Smith, who after first starring in a bit role in 'Daddy's Little Girls,' went on to become the breakout star in 'Why Did I Get Married?' and its sequel 'Why Did I Get Married, Too?' Though, Lee is also known for working with Denzel Washington in many films over the years, he's worked with Giancarlo Esposito in four movies including 'School Daze,' 'Do The Right Thing,' 'Mo Betta Blues,' and 'Malcolm X.'

Tale Of The Titans: Spike Lee & Tyler Perry

Both Have Notable Cable TV Ventures:
Making movies has traditionally been the focus for Perry and Lee, but after building their names, the opportunity presented itself for notable television ventures for both men. Lee has collaborated over the years with premium cable network HBO on documentaries like '4 Little Girls,' 'When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts,' and 'If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise.' Perry made television history by signing a $200 million deal to create, produce and direct 100-episodes of 'Tyler Perry's House of Payne' with TBS in 2006 and has since launched the equally successful 'Meet the Browns.'

Tale Of The Titans: Spike Lee & Tyler Perry