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BlackVoices.com recently caught up the film-making dynamo Tyler Perry while he gracefully handled media chores to promote his new movie, 'The Family That Preys,' which arrived in theaters last week and raked in over $18 million.Starring Academy Award winner Kathy Bates and three-time Emmy Award winner Alfre Woodard, the drama revolves around the diabolical deeds of two members of two southern families; one white, the other black.
With Perry's trademark candor, his flair for the dramatic storytelling and an accessible style of directing, 'Family' turns out to be his finest work yet.
Also starring Sanaa Lathan, Cole Hauser, Rockmond Dunbar, Robin Givens, Kadee Strickland and Taraji P. Henson, the Lionsgate film follows Perry's growing list of best-selling movie fare, including 'Meet The Browns' and 'Why Did I Get Married?' both released within the last year.
Perry, formerly homeless, has become a Hollywood sensation in his own right – his alter ego Madea Simmons is a beloved draw of many of his stage and screen productions.
Tyler Perry In His Own Words
On His Motivation for 'Family'
"Whatever stories are coming to me, I'm going to tell them. I'm going to go in a bunch of different directions over the next few years. This one was about my own personal life at the time. I was going through some things about whether I was really enjoying my life. I put that all in this film. Don't just exist, but live. Live every day like it's your last and enjoy your life. Life is short."
On His Core audience relating to 'Family That Preys'
"They're going to love it. It's not as much comedy in it but it's still a Tyler Perry movie."
On Kathy Bates
"I was really, really honored that she decided to do the film. She was phenomenal in it. She brought a great deal to it. I learned a lot from her."
On Alfre Woodard
"Alfre is no slouch herself. It was really amazing."
On Sanaa Lathan
"Poor Sanaa, she kept saying, 'Oh, Tyra this is so mean, I can't do it' and I said 'Do it, do it, do it, meaner, meaner, meaner.' [When I was casting] that character , I didn't have anybody in mind. But from the moment I started talking about casting ideas, her name came up and I said, 'Oh, I hope we can get her to do this.'"
On Whether He Wore A Fat Suit In Movie
"You know the great thing about playing this guy, I didn't have to be on a diet. I didn't have to workout, I just was thick. So that was all me, that wasn't a fat suit my friend."
On The Importance of His Character in the Film
"I just wanted to do a small role that would work on my acting chops. Not do too much, because I wanted to focus on directing the film. But he's an interesting character, but he's a guy that's given up on his dreams. So I hope he speaks to all the brothers who stopped dreaming, to let them know that dreams do come true."
On His Starring In The New 'Star Trek' Movie
"Well it's a small role, it's a cameo that J.J. Abrams called me and asked me to do. And when he called and asked me the timing happened to fall perfectly, I had some time off and I worked it out. But it's the commander of the star fleet, and it was really, really cool. I'm hearing great things about it, I haven't seen it, I can't wait to see it. So we'll see what happens with it."
On His 'House of Payne' TV Series
"Yeah, it started off really rough because the characters had to gel and people had to get together. So there were a lot of people that didn't like it in the beginning, but I'd ask for fans to give it a minute. And I'll tell you within the next month the rating just started getting better and better. The rating beat a lot of shows on CW, so that's really great."
On Keisha Knight-Pulliam Joining The Cast
"Yes, she and Lance Gross, their characters just got married on the show. So she's joining the cast."
Six Degrees of Tyler Perry
Six Degrees of Tyler Perry
In just three years, Tyler Perry has become the toast of Hollywood. Could you name another director black or white who can boast of having released six feature movie projects within a three year period? Nope. Not only did the New Orleans native write all of the storylines for the films, he starred in four. Combined, five of the films have grossed upwards of $250 million worldwide, some within budgets below $6 million. And with the major money train also comes associating with some of the biggest names in and out of the entertainment business. BlackVoices.com takes an introspective look at how a former homeless man turned chit'lin circuit theater czar has connections to the likes of Michael Jackson, Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston and Will Smith, to name a few. Check out Six Degrees of Tyler Perry.
Tyler Perry
The best-selling playwright turned Hollywood hot-shot (real name: Emmitt R. Perry, Jr.) was born Sept. 14, 1969 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Ray Nagin
Another New Orleans native, Ray Nagin, Jr. was elected into the office of Mayor of the Crescent City on March 6, 2002.
Labelle
Known as the music capitol of the Gulf Coast, New Orleans was also the setting for 'Lady Marmalade,' a hit song from 1970s glam-soul trio Labelle, comprised of Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sara Dash.
Lenny Kravitz
Modern day rock & roll demigod Lenny Kravitz is one of the top-notch talents chosen to produce Labelle's long-awaited reunion album, 'Back to Now,' due out later this year via Verve Records.
Lisa Bonet
'The Cosby Show' and 'A Different World' star Lisa Bonet eloped with Lenny Kravitz in November 1987. Their daughter Zoe Isaballe Kravitz was born the next year. The couple separated in 1991.
Gary Dourdan
'C.S.I.' actor Gary Dourdan played Cree Summer's character's love interest Shazza Zulu on the NBC sitcom 'A Different World,' which was originally developed as a spin-off vehicle for Lisa Bonet. The Philadelphia native appeared on 13 episodes from 1991 to 1992.
Janet Jackson
Gary Dourdan also played the love interest of Janet Jackson in the music video for her chart-topping ballad, 'Again,' in 1993.
Tyler Perry
Janet Jackson starred in the lead role of Tyler Perry's box office smash, 'Why Did I Get Married?' The twice divorced pop star won an NAACP Image Award for her performance.
Ruben Cannon
One of the most respected executives in Hollywood, Ruben Cannon has served as a casting director of film and TV projects dating all the way back to 1977. He co-executive produced Tyler Perry's 'Why Did I Get Married?'
1. You gotta give it up to Tyler Perry.
This is the kind of story that should inspire people to make your own films instead of settling for what Hollywood offers.
If you want to change the media portrayals of black people in general it can now be done and he proves it. Take the reigns and do do it like he does: write, direct, act.
Len Esten at 9:00PM on Sep 15th 2008