1. Tyler Perry

2. Born Emmitt Perry, Jr. on September 13, 1969 in New Orleans, Louisiana Parents: Emmitt Perry, Sr. and Willie Maxine Perry Emmitt Senior was abusive. Changed his name to Tyler when he was 16 to distance himself from the father, who turned out not to be his biological father.

3. Tyler Perry Dropped out of high school, but later earned a GED (General Education Development) degree. Moved to Atlanta in 1990. Says Oprah inspired him to write when he watched an episode where she said writing personal experiences could be therapeutic Began keeping a diary, which later inspired his first play, I Know I’ve Been Changed (1992) – a play which he produced himself with his $12,000 of life savings.

4. Tyler Perry I Know I’ve Been Changed only lasted one weekend, with only 30 people coming to see the show. Wrote, directed, produced, and starred in I Know I’ve Been Changed Worked odd jobs in Atlanta while continuing to work on improving his play. Lived in his car during this time in his life. After being reworked, I Know I’ve Been Changed garnered sell-out crowds in The House of Blues around 1998.

5. Tyler Perry First truly successful play was an adaptation of televangelist and author Bishop T.D. Jakes’s novel Woman, Thou Art Loosed, which was about abuse Play was an instant hit, earning $5 million in five months. Play was turned into a straight to video movie in 2004.

6. Madea Tyler Perry’s self-acted character, introduced in 2000 in his play I Can Do Bad All by Myself. Has reoccurred in several of his plays and films: Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2001), Madea’s Family Reunion (2002), Madea’s Class Reunion (2003), Madea Goes to Jail (2005) Madea’s Witness Protection (2012), and A Madea Christmas (2013).

7. Tyler Perry Other works include: Daddy’s Little Girls, Why Did I Get Married, Meet the Browns, and The Family That Preys. Had a multi-year partnership with Oprah Winfrey and her production network. Has a production company, which Lionsgate Entertainment helps to fund. Works are copyrighted under Very Perry Films. Has won two BET Comedy Awards – for outstanding actor in a theatrical film and for outstanding writer for a theatrical film for Diary of a Mad Black Woman

8. Madea “Born” Mabel “Madea” Simmons on November 10, 1935. Mother: “Big Mable” Murphy Has 4 brothers, two named Frederick, one named Joe, and a half-brother named Willie Has a sister, Irene, who dies Moved to Atlanta at 16 with her family A 6’5”, overweight, older woman who is argumentative, aggressive, and threatening, but usually used as a way to teach a lesson.