Mabel Simmons is known to the world as Madea, which is a cross between two words, Mother and Dear. It's a Southern term of endearment, sometimes used as a moniker for grandmother. But when you consider Madea’s wild ways, it could mean “Bad A** Black Woman.”

Perry has said that Madea is a combination of his mother Willie Maxine and his Aunt Mayola. In a 2012 interview about how he created his singular beloved character,  he explained,  “She is exactly the PG version of my mother and my aunt, and I loved having an opportunity to pay homage to them.”

Not only was Madea inspired by his mother and aunt but Perry also was inspired by the legendary Eddie Murphy.  When he saw Eddie Murphy playing his entire family, including the women, in Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, Perry believed that he could pull off a female character as well. That turned out to be one of the best career moves he ever made.

While the character of Madea was inspired by Perry’s mother, his aunt, and Eddie Murphy’s work in Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, her hair was inspired by a local man in his old New Orleans hood. In a 2017 interview, Perry explained a man from his childhood neighborhood would always come out of his house telling funny stories and rocking curlers in his hair. And the rest is history.

Madea made her first appearance in Perry’s game-changing play, I Can Do Bad All by Myself in 2000 and stole the show. But that was not supposed to happen. When one of the actresses didn't show up for a gig performance in Chicago. Perry, who was only supposed to appear onstage as Madea briefly, began improv with other performers and it worked like gangbusters.

One thing Tyler Perry won’t miss is the time and energy it takes to transform into Madea. Becoming Madea ain't easy but it sure is fun. In order to become Madea, Perry wears a custom fat suit underneath the dresses, along with an all-in-one enlarger filled with plastic beads that pads his thighs, butt, stomach, and breasts. Not going through that anymore makes Perry say, “Hallelujer!”

While not many are 6 foot 5, a lot of the women who Tyler Perry grew up around had some Madea in them. They held it down in every way imaginable and didn’t take mess from anyone. Perry observed, “She's a strong figure where I come from. In my part of the African-American community," he continued. "And I say that because I'm sure that there are some other parts of the African-American community that may be looking at me now going, 'Who does he think he's speaking of?' But, for me, this woman was very, very visible."

In 2005, Perry knew that Madea was ready for the big time and she made her debut in Diary of a Mad Black Woman, his first feature film. After landing in the number one spot in its opening weekend and grossing more than $50 million dollars at the box office, the Madea film franchise was born. Perry would go on to make 10 more movies with Madea as the star attraction.

Although Madea got her start on the stage and blew up in a big way in films, she’s also shown up in Tyler Perry sitcoms. She’s appeared in Meet The Browns, Love Thy Neighbor and House of Payne, bringing her signature humor and outrageous antics to the small screen.

Rumorville was buzzing when word arrived that Tyler Perry was done playing Madea. Some even thought he would kill her off in his grand finale. But Perry has decided to retire his greatest creation, not kill her. Perry clearly understood that killing off Madea, a beloved character, would have invited some unwanted attention. “She doesn't die," Perry revealed, reassuring his fans. "She’s a family member... to a lot of people. You can’t kill off a family member." Maybe when the time is right, Madea will have a comeback. If she does, we all be waiting!