Tyler Perry is an American filmmaker, actor, playwright, producer and philanthropist whose career spans film, television and theater. Born in New Orleans in 1969, he rose from writing and staging plays to building a major entertainment business, becoming widely known for creating the Madea character and producing films and television series centered on Black families and communities. In 2019, he opened Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, a large production facility that has created jobs and expanded opportunities for professionals working in film and television.

Philanthropy has been an important part of Perry’s public work. Through the Perry Foundation, established in 2006, he supports initiatives addressing health and clean water, education and technology, arts and culture, and sustainable economic development. His charitable giving has also helped provide clean water to communities in several countries and supported organizations working on homelessness, civil rights, disaster relief and food insecurity. In 2025, Perry pledged nearly $1.4 million to organizations assisting families affected by reductions in federal food assistance, including food banks and services for children and older adults. His giving combines direct financial support with efforts to expand opportunity and respond to urgent community needs.