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Steve Iervolino/ABC NewsTyler Perry has had a busy 2019, to say the least. After announcing the retirement of his beloved and hilariously funny, no-nonsense grandma Madea with the release of his Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral, and his current Madea’s Farewell Play Tour, Perry had a jam-packed year of major milestones.
Tyler Perry takes over BET
After inking a multi-year content deal with Viacom, Perry launched two new series on BET: a White House-themed soap called The Oval and a new dramatic comedy titled Sistas. He also helped to launch BET+ on September 19, which serves as an outlet for his previous productions, including films from the Madea series, and a selection of his stage plays: Meet the Browns, Daddy’s Little Girls, Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor, and more.
In November, Perry announced he was planning to add two more series to BET+’s current line-up: the comedy series Bruh and the forthcoming The Oval spinoff series, Ruthless.
Tyler Perry gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
On October 1, Perry received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the category of Motion Pictures. Kerry Washington and Idris Elba were two of the celebrities that helped pay tribute to the multi-hypenated director-producer and actor.
Tyler Perry Studios stuns at its grand opening
October 5, Tyler Perry invited Hollywood’s finest to the grand opening of his state-of-the-art studio in Atlanta, Georgia.
The gala, which took place on the 330-acre production complex, was once the home of Confederate army base Fort McPherson. It’s now the site of the only major film studio in the nation owned by an African-American.
The star-studded event included major celebrities including Beyoncé and JAY-Z, Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee, Whoopi Goldberg, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Halle Barry, Samuel L. Jackson, Viola Davis, Ava DuVernay, Gladys Knight, and Cicely Tyson.
Other notable attendees who came out to support Perry included Tiffany Haddish, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Jenifer Lewis, Taraji P. Henson, Kirk Franklin, Vanessa L. Williams, Jennifer Hudson, Anita Baker, Ludacris, Jill Scott, Patti LaBelle, Anthony Anderson, and Colin Kaepernick.
Tyler’s new studio has been home to productions like Marvel’s Black Panther and AMC Networks’ The Walking Dead. The production compound, which houses 12 newly-dedicated sound stages — including its own replica of The White House — is larger than Warner Bros. and Walt Disney’s Burbank studios combined.
Tyler Perry Studios unites a few Bad Boys for Life who were Coming 2 America
Thanks to Tyler Perry’s Studios, an epic photo of some legendary actors was able to take place.
In late October, Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, Wesley Snipes and Martin Lawrence came together for a rare photo at Tyler Perry Studios, where the four men were shooting their upcoming films.
Will and Martin have been working on the third Bad Boys movie, Bad Boys for Life, while Eddie and Wesley are both starring in the highly anticipated comedy sequel Coming 2 America.
Tyler Perry Studios gets political and holds beauty to its highest standard
Also in late October, Tyler Perry Studios was announced as the location for the Democratic presidential debate on November 20. It became the first major political debate held in Atlanta since 1992.
Soon after the debate location was announced, the Miss Universe Organization shared that the studio would also serve as the location for the 2019 Miss Universe beauty pageant on December 8.
Tyler Perry Studios goes public
After his star-studded grand opening in October, Tyler Perry announced in November that he would officially open his Atlanta studios doors to the public staring next year.
“Are you looking forward to going on an inspiring and historical tour of Tyler Perry Studios? We cannot wait to have you aboard!,” the announcement tweet read. “The official tour dates and information will be announced next year, 2020. This is going to be [fire]!”
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