Forbes has added 51-year old Tyler Perry to its list of billionaires and estimates his net worth at $1 billion with a clear path to future membership in The Forbes 400.
As a filmmaker, comedian and actor, Perry outright owns the rights to more than 1,200 episodes of television, 22 feature films, and at least 24 stage plays. He also owns a world-class 330-acre studio lot in Atlanta that he purchased for $30 million back in 2015. He spent another $250 million building and developing more than 12 sound stages that he graciously named after other Black actors and actresses who have paved the way.
"I own the lights. I own the sets," he told Forbes. "So that's where the difference is. Because I own everything, my returns are higher."
He also has a deal with ViacomCBS that pays him $150 million a year for new content and gives him an equity stake in BET's online streaming service. He also recently signed a major deal with Apple TV to host and help broadcast their online Verzuz competitions.
For his personal use, he owns several homes in Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, as well as two private jets. Most notable, Perry is a philanthropist that is known for his generosity. He has donated millions towards various causes across the country, especially in the Atlanta area.