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It\u2019s well known Tyler Perry is one of the most successful filmmakers working today.<\/p>\n
What doesn\u2019t get as many headlines is how often\u00a0he gives back to his community. Not to mention that, despite his critical rep as making primarily zany comedies featuring his iconic \u201cMadea\u201d character, the man really knows his movie history.<\/p>\n
In a cover story interview with\u00a0AARP The Magazine, Perry revealed that he took care of legendary actress\u00a0Cicely Tyson\u00a0for much of the end of her life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never said this publicly,\u201d\u00a0Perry\u00a0said, \u201cbut I took care of Ms. Tyson for the last 15 years of her life. She was a proud woman, and the only reason I mention this is because she wrote it in her book.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis woman had done so many amazing things, but she wasn\u2019t well compensated for it. She made $6,000 for \u2018Sounder,\u2019 you know? I wanted to make sure she knew that there were people who valued her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounder\u201d was a 1971 depression-era drama that is widely considered one of the first big hit Hollywood films that featured a nearly all-black cast. Tyson starred in the film which happened right around the apex of her career.<\/p>\n It was not the first groundbreaking work for Tyson, whose career started in the 1950s, and across 95 acting credits was filled with artistically and politically challenging roles that made her an icon within the Black community. <\/p>\n Along the way she garnered numerous awards, culminating in a\u00a0Kennedy Center Honor\u00a0in 2015.<\/p>\n It was a small role towards the end of her life though that showed the depths of Perry\u2019s respect for Tyson\u2019s distinguished career.<\/p>\n In 2007, Perry paid Tyson $1 million for one day of work on his film, \u201cWhy Did I Get Married?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt makes me feel great that I was in a position to give this incredible woman some security in her latter years,\u201d said the actor\/director.<\/p>\n As\u00a0People\u00a0reported, Perry was able to land spots for Tyson in a number of his films, beginning with 2005\u2019s \u201cDiary of a Mad Black Woman,\u201d as well as \u201cMadea\u2019s Family Reunion,\u201d and \u201cWhy Did I Get Married Too?\u201d<\/p>\n Upon\u00a0Tyson\u2019s passing\u00a0in 2021 at the age of 96, Perry posted a loving tribute on Instagram. Next to a nice picture of the two laughing and hugging.<\/p>\n Perry wrote in part, \u201cMy heart breaks in one beat, while celebrating her life in the next. To think that she lived for 96 years and I got to be a part of the last 16 brings me great joy. She called me son. Well, today your son grieves your loss and will miss our long talks, your laughter from your belly, and your very presence.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\n![\"Tyler](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/GettyImages97123257-9d11bba2-a12d-4f02-b951-9d3e80260244.jpg\" "\\"Tyler")