Forbes: Tyler Perry top-paid man in entertainment; Elton John fourth
Tyler Perry. CREDIT: AP
Atlanta media mogul Tyler Perry is wealthy and successful. We all know that.
Forbes just quantified it, estimating his income from May 2010 to May 2011 as $130 million, more than any other man in entertainment.
That’s more than Simon Cowell (ranked No. 5), more than Brad Pitt, more than Leonardo DiCaprio, the only other actor in the top 10 Forbes compiled.
Forbes credited Perry’s five films he has made the past two years and two TV series. He is also starring in author James Patterson’s “I, Alex Cross” as detective Alex Cross.
Part-time Atlantan Elton John also made the list, generating $100 million in that time period and ranking No. 4, thanks to a worldwide tour.
In between are producers Jerry Bruckheimer at No. 2 and Steven Spielberg at No. 3. Dr. Phil is at No. 7.
See the entire list here.
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356 comments Add your comment
Ron Burgundy
September 13th, 2011
11:22 am
biksheperd – Limbaugh is not crap….he is a speaker of truths. I think unemployment and poverty levels show he is right on the money.
Did I Do That?
September 13th, 2011
11:24 am
Who did the show with urkel….now that show was black TV gold!
JT
September 13th, 2011
11:26 am
@ Ron Burgundy
No, Limbaugh is garbage!
PB
September 13th, 2011
11:27 am
Tyler, I am still so very proud of you. Despite it all, you come a lonnng way. May God continue to bless you, your staff and projects.
Ron Burgundy
September 13th, 2011
11:28 am
Limbaugh ratings say otherise….average IQ of Limbaugh veiwer MAYBE….just maybe is slightly higher the viewer of Perry shows.
Laquita Williamz
September 13th, 2011
11:35 am
I was goin no where in life til I saw meet the browns…now I am still going no where but i am love meet the browns
who?
September 13th, 2011
11:36 am
Congrats Perry on exploiting a niche. Im not meaning that as an insult, but if in 20 years you compare a Spike Lee movie to a Tyler Perry movie it will be obvious which filmmaker’s movies and tv shows were of substance vs what was “hot” for a few years. ….TP’s movies will be like watching “All in The Family” or “Good Times” where you think to yourself “damn, they used to be able to get away with those sterotypes back then?”
Mazel Tov TP
quintivious' mama
September 13th, 2011
11:37 am
@laquita, i really wish you would not do what you are doing.
Laquita Williamz
September 13th, 2011
11:39 am
quintivous – don’t hate
IJPC
September 13th, 2011
11:40 am
I want to congratulate Tyler Perry’s accomplishments in the field of entertainment. I can remember back when we were portrayed in films and television it was very derogatory (not funny in the least). Tyler’s films are funny and very truthful – laughter is good for the soul. What makes me especially happy for Tyler is that he has become a hero to my grandchildren. My grandchildren, ages 12 and 14 yrs. have all of Tyler’s movies and watch his tv series every week.. My grandson (the 14 yr. old) has decided that he wants to become a film director just like Tyler Perry. I purchased a small video camera for him and he’s already started making his amateur videos. Can you imagine how this makes my heart feel. I feel happy that he’s not chosen to be a Pimp or a Drug Dealer, but has chosen to follow in the footsteps of Mr. Tyler Perry. Thank You Tyler. Keep up your good work!
beanster
September 13th, 2011
11:41 am
@ Listen. Is that 100% accurate? I don’t recall ever referring to the Halloween movies as, “John Carpenter’s Halloween”. or Halloween II. There are some as you point out, but not all, like Mr. Perry.
I do find it disturbing that so many of his fans find that either his financial success or faith in God somehow validates the work he produces as quality. I think movies should = art. IMO, Mr. Perry’s movies are far, far, far from being considered artful. The continuation of the dumbing down of America. But I shouldn’t judge. And as they say, ignorance is bliss.
jap
September 13th, 2011
11:41 am
Way to go Mr. Perry. God got more for you I enjoy your work, do not let what you read on here stop you an no way. cause it what you have done that made people come out and back to see your hard work, that has got you to this point in your life, it a shame that people have to hate when a blkman get on top of life, but it is ok if the blk man down, get over it people and start doing your thang make your life mean some good, for many of us black men has done great things, and one more to come. thanks you Mr. Perry again. and may God keep his hand on you.
David Smith
September 13th, 2011
11:42 am
Tyler’s success is well deserved and his movies may be far fetched at times (Especially him as Madea) but do show our city in a positive light. I also applaud him for giving back to his community and charities (Ludacris as well). I hope Tyler continues to show young black youth that through faith in God and hard work any dream can be achieved.
Ron Burgundy
September 13th, 2011
11:44 am
IJPC – I agree. My nephew enjoys Tyuler Perry movies as well and he too has decided to become a filmaker/director…..I guess they will both be rich nd famous and off the streets not selling crack.
sheryl
September 13th, 2011
11:45 am
It’s not impressive…It is GOD……RESTORATION…TYLER, You deserve it…
Michael
September 13th, 2011
11:45 am
Congratulations to Tyler Perry,for being such a Inspiration,that you can make something out of your Life,regardless of how Horrible,and Abusive,your childhood was,when you were growing up.I Love All of your Medea Movies,as they are All Very Funny,and you are deffently Very Talented,and I Love,”Meet The Browns”,one of the Funniest Shows on TV.I hope you have a Great Birthday!!!
Tonya
September 13th, 2011
11:47 am
Tyler Perry has the monoply in the Black Movies and has drawn all movies shares and money towards his movie style and of course no one else will tell our stories in Hollywood, maybe this will wake them up! Our stories are successful to us and others, reminder, we are the minority in America only 12% of us and his success and wealth has reached far beyond Brad Pitt, Steve Stielberg and others… That tells me other nationalities are watching our movies, our stories. Way to go Tyler…you’ve captured this generations attention – use this time and opportunity to spread a message – that God can be proud of.
zbaby
September 13th, 2011
11:48 am
It is art! Art is just like wine, it is an aquired taste and something to be appreciated.If you don’t like it don’t drink it or watch it! That is what’s wrong with this world today eveyone is so quick to judge, or is jelouse of someone else so they try to put them down Stop it! Just Stop it! because it’s not going to change anything what’s done is done.Learn to love you self and trust your self and things will go better for you. Self-trust is the essence of heroism..Ralf Emerson
beanster
September 13th, 2011
11:49 am
“I feel happy that he’s not chosen to be a Pimp or a Drug Dealer”
Grandad, I think you need to raise your standards a bit. I am happy your grandson has found something constructive that he likes to do. But I also hope that you would raise the bar a little higher than pimp or drug dealer.
Mr. Snarky
September 13th, 2011
11:52 am
Congrats Tyler…that’s one heckuva year!
As far as the quality discussion, there’s definitely better stuff out there, but there’s worse stuff as well. I somewhat enjoyed Madea’s family reunion, but that’s about all I’ve seen of his stuff. I’m a white guy, so I’m not really his target audience. He knows his audience and has built a strong brand.
beanster
September 13th, 2011
11:54 am
Again, not at all jealous of anything he has done. I just find his work incredibly simplistic, corny, shallow, cheesey at times, and overall, flat out boring. IMO, that isn’t art.
Ron Burgundy
September 13th, 2011
11:59 am
Tyler Perry movies are art, soulja boys lyrics are poetry and dog poo is edible.
I like tyler perry…he seems okay, but I find it funny how all these people act like they saw a vision of Virgin mary cause a black man made some money.
His stuff is terrible though.
beanster
September 13th, 2011
12:02 pm
Materialism is not the secret to happiness. Money will not make you happier on its own. Stop glorifying like it will.
Matt
September 13th, 2011
12:04 pm
Not to mention that Martin Lawrence has already done the “black guy dressing up like a fat woman with an attitude comedy”. How many different ways can that be done. Just asking.
Ron Burgundy
September 13th, 2011
12:06 pm
Eddie Murphy id it too….so did Bill Cosby.
Matt
September 13th, 2011
12:06 pm
As a white guy am I not supposed to find his stuff funny? I think Eddie Murphy and Chris Tucker are hysterical. I think Denzel and Morgan Freeman are 2 of the best actors in Hollywood but to me Tyler Perry’s movies and tv shows are crap. I don’t see what’s funny? I’ve tried watching and I end up turning the channel after about 30 seconds. Is it like Seinfeld for blacks?? I’m not trying to be racist at all, I really want to know?
Obviously someone finds him funny, I’m just wondering who?
Laquita Williamz
September 13th, 2011
12:08 pm
Tyler perry shows and movies give my kids a safe TV show that they can watch and not be warped in the head. It keeps them occupie while i smoke.
Laquita Williamz
September 13th, 2011
12:09 pm
Its art Matt…you wouldnt understand.
backatcha
September 13th, 2011
12:10 pm
Sorry Tyler Perry can’t hear all the racism and hate you are spewing about eh CHI-CHING in this Bank account LOL
Clay
September 13th, 2011
12:10 pm
I’m sorry but this guy at one point was living out of his car. Now he’s the highest paid person in show biz. What’s not to like about that?
G-dub
September 13th, 2011
12:12 pm
Not a big Tyler Perry fan but right now he is the man. What a great story. Congrats!!!!!!
Matt
September 13th, 2011
12:12 pm
Laquita- I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful. There is plenty of crap on tv but 130 million is A LOT of money!!! I was just curious if it is a cultural thing. I don’t know if I would call it “art” though. THat’s kind of an insult to “artists”.
Ron Burgundy
September 13th, 2011
12:13 pm
I think the tyler perry rags to riches story is great, no one doesn’t like him…they just think his stuff is crappy. I mean the pet rock inventor is counting his money today for selling something that he got out of his yard.
Lets be proud of his work ethic but lets be ashamed for thinking on the level of his shows. I mean they are crap.
bronco
September 13th, 2011
12:14 pm
Tyler Perry certainly uses his race to his advantage.
A Perry Fan
September 13th, 2011
12:17 pm
I love Tyler Perry’s work. We use to laugh at the Dick Van Dyke show and I Love Lucy and neither were as funny as Ma Dear. You watched Golden Girls and laughed your fool heads off. For those of you with limited experience in TV watching, I say to you, Grow The Hell Up in what you are talking about. I bet each of you would be the first to watch something gory but too narrow minded to be open minded. I am sure that Tyler Perry wants you to join the ranks with Spike Lee: Go to Hell. LOL…
Ron Burgundy
September 13th, 2011
12:20 pm
I think Tyler Perry high viewership speaks to the greater problem of the black community. I mean I think black people would not watch this show if it was white which speaks to they are not color blind. They put everything in context of skin color.
its kind of like obama…..they would vote for him regardless of whatever how far unemployment climbs or how high poverty levels rise. The man takes vacations to marthas vineyard in seperate jets and no one complains cause he is black (half black actually). Tyler Perry could put a show out that has black people doing nothing but burping and they still would watch it cause its a “black show”.
beanster
September 13th, 2011
12:20 pm
backatcha — YOU are the definition of what is wrong with black culture in America.
IJPC
September 13th, 2011
12:20 pm
beanster – I am a female grandparent (Grandma). If you lived in my neighborhood you would understand why I’m happy that may grandson admires Tyler Perry and has chosen to become a filmaker/director, and not Pimp or Drug Dealer. My grandson does not have any male family members to look up to. It’s not easy for young fatherless Black men. I’m happy that he’s motivated by Mr. Tyler Perry. One day I would like to introduce my grandson to Mr. Perry. Again, Thanks Tyler.
BOOMER'S MOM
September 13th, 2011
12:21 pm
I personally think that Tyler is a perfect example of how the more fortunate should act. He is a man was grew up in hard times but worked his way to the top but hasn’t forgotten that he needs to still be compassionate. He conducts himself in a way that we all are supposed to conduct ourselves. His movies are very good and you leave them feeling good. I guess the majority of the movie haters don’t like them because they are not filled with drugs, sex and violence. What has happened to the good movies that the whold family can enjoy. I say keep them coming Tyler. You are an inspiration to many and there are a lot more that could follow your example. Maybe your movies are not liked by so many because you use the word God in them. Who knows. But I will continue going to see them. Kudos to you.
Florida Guy
September 13th, 2011
12:22 pm
Good for him, but wow–he’s the walmart of media moguls; Nothing but crap for sale, but there’s plenty of it.
Jack
September 13th, 2011
12:23 pm
Hallalujer!
dood
September 13th, 2011
12:27 pm
why are you guys all picking on a hometown boy done good? The real question I beg to ask…how in the world did that blowhard “DR” Phil get on here at number 7! That’s messed up!
JoeV
September 13th, 2011
12:28 pm
So many people in this blog judge the value of a man simply by the money in his wallet.
Sad.
Mark
September 13th, 2011
12:29 pm
Ron Burgundy- bingo!!! A republican will never win the election again because the first thing they will do is stop giving hand outs to the lazy. A liberal who promises hand outs and citizenship to illegals just increased his votes exponentially.
Voting for a black guy because he is black is just as racist as not for the same reason.
Mitzymy
September 13th, 2011
12:30 pm
Congratulations to Tyler Perry!! For those of you who do not understand why Black America likes his movies, because he relates to were they come from. There were years ago, a lot of Black Mamas and Grandmamas who acted like the character Madea, and Mr. Brown(on Meet The Browns) These were mainly Southern women, who wore the long dresses, no bras, and wigs. They were vocal and expressed their opinions sometimes with violence. They took charge. These characters do not shame the black community because there is someone like Madea that they can remember in their past, and its funny to see how far they have come from this.
Jack
September 13th, 2011
12:30 pm
Depressing
Truth Beleiver
September 13th, 2011
12:30 pm
Congrats Mr. Perry! I can think of no one who so deserves good fortune more than you do. I’m an educated person, having captured many awards for work-related performances and have helped set standards in my field. I like pretty much everything you touch. I enjoy a good laugh at the absurdity of “Brown”. I don’t have to have every t.v. show be a work of art- it can just be funny. I don’t have a need to critique every show that makes me laugh for its cultural content or bias. I get so sick of people who think it’s their call to sum up who’s meaningful and who’s not.
As for Rush Limbaugh fans having a “slightly higher IQ” than Tyler Perry fans I woild take into consideration who designed the IQ test, sets the standards, administers the test, reviews the results, compiles the data and presents to the public where it becomes a part of a person’s permanent record. The scriptures warn of those who make their own laws and then judge themselves on how well they did.
Way to go Mr. Perry! Keep blessing us. haters, you really ought find something going for yourself.
Sit down. Take yo’ shoes off. Have some tea- Black gold- Texas tea. ya’ll come back now, ya heah!
Matt
September 13th, 2011
12:30 pm
I just asked a question. Is it a cultural thing that as a white guy I am missing? The Cosby Show was awesome but I just don’t get the Madia thing and his tv shows. I don’t see what is funny.
brk
September 13th, 2011
12:31 pm
blkshepherd, you hit the nail on the head all these folks are just jealous that the $ is not for them. I guarantee you if he showed up at their house to give out $ they would not turn it down, frankly I love his movies just saw the new one & loved it folks it is called entertainment! dumba$$es
JT
September 13th, 2011
12:32 pm
@ beanster
Sure you say that now, but I’ll bet you wish you had that kind of money.