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15 Things You Didn't Know About Tyler Perry - From New Orleans to Hollywood, Tyler Perry has transformed the landscape of film and TV. Here are a few facts you may not have known about the renaissance man. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Constructing the Future - He worked in construction before his career took off. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for A&E Network)

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Introducing Madea - While some sources say otherwise, according to IMDB, Perry introduced audiences to his now wildly popular character Madea in the play I Know I've Been Changed. (Photo: Tyler Perry Studios/Lionsgate)

Photo By Photo credit: Quantrell Colbert

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Laugh at His Pain - Perry's film and play material (at least in the beginning) came from his journal, which he began writing in after seeing Oprah speak of the therapeutic value of writing in a journal. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Well Look at This! - Perry went to high school with Mystikal. Who would have known? (Photos from left: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for BMI)

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Southern Boy - He was born and raised in New Orleans. (Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

Photo By Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET

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First Time for Everything - Perry first stepped into the director's chair for 2006's Madea's Family Reunion. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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Changing the Landscape - In the fall of 2008, Perry opened his 200,000 square foot studio, situated on the former Delta Airlines campus, in Atlanta.(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

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Inspiration Nation - Perry says he got the idea for his character Madea from Eddie Murphy's female character(s) in The Nutty Professor franchise. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

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Saving His Life - He changed his legal name in order to steer clear of his abusive father. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

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Stronger - Perry admits to being verbally and physically abused by his father, Emmitt Perry Sr., until the age of 19, according to CNN. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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One Million - In early 2005, Tyler’s first feature film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, debuted at number one nationwide. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

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For the Record - Perry stands at an intimidating 6' 5". (Photo: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images

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Jack of All Trades - This past year, Perry received an African-American Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film Gone Girl. (Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images) 

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Ranking - In 2007, he was ranked No. 7 on Entertainment Weekly's The 50 Smartest People in Hollywood list. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Giving Back - In January 2010, Perry pledged $1,000,000 via The Tyler Perry Foundation to help rebuild the lives of those affected by the earthquakes in Haiti. (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for The Steve Harvey Foundation)