There’s a familiar thread that runs through most of Tyler Perry’s films, for the actor, director and playwright has long embraced religion in his projects.

Whether it’s “Good Deeds,” “Why Did I Get Married?” “The Family That Preys,” or his latest film “The Single Moms Club,” there’s always a life-affirming message about faith, family and friendship.

“Being a man of faith, I don’t want to do films just to make money,” shares Perry, who was born into poverty and raised in a household scarred by abuse. “If it’s not speaking to somebody or not encouraging somebody, then I am not doing what I am here to do. There are lots of people who do film and television and entertain, but I feel like I have a responsibility to impact some sort of something.”

Sharing meaningful and uplifting stories is Perry’s top priority. In eight years he’s helmed several inspirational themed films and plays including “Woman Thou Art Loosed!,” a collaboration with pastor T.D. Jakes, and fought from a young age to find the strength, faith and perseverance that would later form the foundations of his much-acclaimed projects.

Physically abused by his father and sexually molested by other adults, he’s been able to transcend his horrific childhood by writing stories and is the first African-American to own a major film and TV studio.

His first play “I Know I’ve Been Changed” which he spent his life savings to produce in 1992 was a gospel musical about two adult survivors of child abuse. With just a handful of people in the audience, the play was a flop and he spent several years living in his car and credits his faith in God for sustaining him through the dark years.

His core audiences are black churchgoers, but Perry has managed through a distribution deal with Lionsgate studio and collaboration with the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) to tap into mainstream America. His films, plays and the TV shows on the cable networks TBS and OWN have featured several award-winning actors and actresses from Cosby Show’s Keshia Knight Pulliam, Louis Gossett Jr., Janet Jackson, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Kerry Washington to Wendi McLendon-Covey who stars in his latest film “The Single Moms Club.”

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SOURCE: The Gospel Herald
Samantha Ofole-Prince