As a director, producer, actor, and writer, has built an empire through a variety of outlets, including movies and television. While he is more prolific as a writer, producer, and director, Perry doesn't miss chances when it comes to acting, often appearing in movies he makes. These include roles like the popular character Madea, who has appeared in a lot of Perry's filmography, starting with Diary of a Mad Black Woman.
Alongside his own productions, Perry has had roles in a number of movies and shows, which include Star Trek (2009), Gone Girl, and several Adam McKay movies like Don't Look Up and Vice. Perry will always be a staple of the film and television industry, and his roles like Madea will endure as long as they continue to be financially successful and Perry continues to find stories to tell.

Written and directed by Tyler Perry, The Family That Preys is a dramedy that follows two families from different socioeconomic backgrounds whose lives are intertwined in both love and business. Like many Perry films, it's not amazing by any stretch, but it is a solid enough film with some truly hilarious moments among the melodrama present throughout. It's a delicate balancing act tonally and Perry does a solid job.
Alongside his work behind the camera, Perry also plays a role in The Family That Preys. He portrays Ben, the husband of Taraji P. Henson's Pam Evans, the sister of Andrea Evans-Bennet. It's not the most substantial role in his filmography, but while also balancing a variety of other responsibilities he has for most of his films.

Running for 12 seasons and counting, House of Payne is the longest-running television series that has starred a mostly Black cast, making it an important part of television history. While it is generally hit or miss in terms of quality, there is still a lot to like about the show when it is good, with some truly hilarious moments featured throughout. While it is often silly, House of Payne also touches on some serious topics, showing the versatility of Tyler Perry as a creator.
House of Payne is the longest running television series that has starred a mostly Black cast, making it an important part of television history.
Perry appeared in a handful of episodes during the first three seasons of House of Payne, portraying Madea, who is arguably the most popular character he has ever created. While not everyone will enjoy Madea as a character, throughout so much of his career as an actor, writer, and director.

Movies based on TV shows tend to vary in quality, but PAW Patrol: The Movie is actually a solid entry into the PAW Patrol universe, and the franchise's first foray into films after being an animated series for its entire run-up to that point. The movie focuses on Ryder and the PAW Patrol pups as they go to Adventure City to stop the newly-elected Mayor Humdinger. It's definitely a film for younger children and families, but is a great extension of the popular series.

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Tyler Perry has a role in the film, voicing Gus, a truck driver who is transporting Canadian maple syrup before being rescued as his truck swerves off a bridge. Perry is an excellent character actor and that extends to his voice acting talent, where he fits right in with the tone of the film and the PAW Patrol universe. .

Diary of a Mad Black Woman
- February 25, 2005
- 116 minutes
- Darren Grant
- Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry officially introduced Madea to the world through his film Diary of a Mad Black Woman, which tells the story of a woman thrown out of her house by her husband after almost two decades of marriage who goes to live with her grandmother. It was actually the first film directed by Perry and was adapted from the stage play of the same name that he created. It does a decent job of translating to the big screen but marks an important moment for Perry in the film industry.
Movies With Madea As A Character | |
---|---|
Diary of a Mad Black Woman | 2005 |
Madea's Family Reunion | 2006 |
Meet the Browns (Cameo) | 2008 |
Madea Goes to Jail | 2009 |
I Can Do Bad All By Myself | 2009 |
Madea's Big Happy Family | 2011 |
Madea's Witness Protection | 2012 |
A Madea Christmas | 2013 |
Boo! A Madea Halloween | 2016 |
Boo 2! A Madea Halloween | 2017 |
A Madea Family Funeral | 2019 |
A Madea Homecoming | 2022 |
Madea's Destination Wedding | 2025 |
and although the character is rather silly most of the time, he does a great job of portraying her, having some truly hilarious moments in not only Diary of a Mad Black Woman but also the plethora of appearances since then. It's Perry's most iconic role for a reason.

I Can Do Bad All By Myself
- September 11, 2009
- 113 minutes
- Tyler Perry
- Reuben Cannon
I Can Do Bad All by Myself is a step up from a lot of other films directed by Tyler Perry and although it shares the name of a stage play by him, it features a much different story. The film revolves around April (Taraji P. Henson), an alcoholic lounge singer who is convinced to take custody of her niece and nephews. Henson is impressive throughout the movie, and the film is able to balance both the humor and sincerity featured heavily throughout Perry's works to a great degree.
Perry returns as Madea in I Can Do Bad All by Myself, . He already had several other films under his belt as Madea at this point, and he continues to glean a lot of fascinating moments out of Madea throughout the story that is being told.

why did i get married?
- October 12, 2007
- 113 minutes
- Tyler Perry
- Reuben Cannon
Why Did I Get Married? is arguably the best Tyler Perry film in terms of his behind-the-camera work as he once again writes, directs, produces, and acts in the movie. The movie involves four couples who were friends throughout college and all meet up for a week-long retreat to the mountains. Balancing the comedy and drama of the story, Why Did I Get Married? is a rather insightful look at relationships and friendships.
Perry doesn't play Madea in the film, instead playing the pediatrician Terry Brock, husband to Dianne (Sharon Leal), as they are one of the four couples featured throughout. His performance isn't nearly as over-the-top as Madea, showing that Perry is capable of range as an actor, with . He crafts a pretty complex character during the events of the movie.

Though it is harped on for not being subtle at all, Don't Look Up is a satirical look at how humanity would respond to the looming end of all civilization. Featuring some hilarious performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, Don't Look Up is an often funny and frustrating movie that chooses to yell at the audience. It's an enjoyable film that was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

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Tyler Perry plays Jack Bremmer in Don't Look Up, co-host of a talk show alongside Cate Blanchett's Brie Evantee. , truly oblivious to the impending doom of humanity while hoping to boost their ratings at every turn. Perry is consistently great as an actor outside the films he is not directing or writing and Don't Look Up proves just that.

Vice explores the political moves of Vice President Dick Cheney during the Bush administration, showing the ruthlessness of Cheney, and featuring an incredible performance by Christian Bale. Like some other McKay films, Vice is a bit divisive but hits the mark a lot when exploring the man who is Dick Cheney, bringing to light a lot of the decisions he made during his time as the Vice President.
Tyler Perry has a solid role in Vice as Colin Powell, the United States Secretary of State from 2001-2005. , portraying him in a complex light that highlights his involvement in everything that happened during George W. Bush's first term as the President of the United States. While Vice is a vehicle for Christian Bale to shine, Perry is also fantastic in it.

Star Trek
8/10
- May 8, 2009
- 127 Minutes
- J.J. Abrams
- Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Gene Roddenberry
- Star Trek Into Darkness, Star Trek Beyond
J.J. Abrams' 2009 movie Star Trek rebooted the iconic sci-fi franchise in a totally new timeline. When a Romulan ship travels back in time and alters the past, the lives of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and the future crew of the USS Enterprise are drastically changed. In this new timeline, the Romulan Nero (Eric Bana) sets out for revenge on Spock, setting off a chain of events that reshape the entire universe.
JJ Abrams was tasked with rebooting the Star Trek franchise on film, and Star Trek ended up being a fantastic update on the iconic IP. Focusing more on action rather than the more philosophical undertones the franchise is known for, the 2009 film may have some detractors from die-hard fans, but is an all-around thrilling time at the movies, with some truly breathtaking visuals throughout. Rebooting the series through time travel and an alternate timeline was an inspired choice, respecting what came before while forging its own path.
Star Trek (2009) is part of the Kelvin Timeline in the Star Trek universe.
Tyler Perry actually has a role in Star Trek, portraying Admiral Barnett in the film, who is the head of the Starfleet Academy. He leads the disciplinary hearing for James T. Kirk after he cheated the Kobayashi Maru simulation during his training. It's not a massive role for Perry, but .

Gone Girl is one of David Fincher's best films, as it is an incredible thriller that explores the fallout involving Ben Affleck's Nick Dunne after his wife, Amy (perfectly portrayed by Rosamund Pike), goes missing. Based on the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn — who also wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay — Gone Girl takes twists and turns along the way, building into something much greater and more complex than was initially suggested, becoming one of the most impressive thrillers in recent memory.
Tyler Perry plays Tanner Bolt in Gone Girl, Nick Dunne's attorney in the film. It is arguably the most serious role of Perry's career, and he does a fantastic job in it, fitting right in with the rest of the impressive cast that Fincher put together for the film. He isn't the most significant character in Gone Girl, but he is an important one, and rises to the occasion.

Tyler Perry
- September 14, 1969
- New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Don't Look Up