Tyler Perry has lived an inspirational life. Described by the ‘New Yorker’ as the most financially successful black man the American film industry has ever known, Perry’s films, plays and projects had grossed over $600 million worldwide.
The 43 year-old American actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, producer and author who was named the highest-paid man in entertainment by Forbes Magazine, was born into poverty and fought from a young age to find strength, faith and perseverance. It was a simple piece of advice from Oprah Winfrey that set his career in motion. Encouraged to keep a diary of his daily thoughts and experiences, he began writing a series of soul‐searching letters to himself. The letters, full of pain and in time, forgiveness, became a healing catharsis, and inspired Perry to set off for Atlanta in hopes of staging a play.
In 1998, his perseverance paid off and a promoter booked his first play “I Know I’ve Been Changed” for a limited run at a local church‐turned‐theater. It was a huge success. Since then, Perry hasn’t looked back.
Perry, who stars in the new action thriller “Alex Cross,” playing a detective, took time from his busy schedule to talk to Trendy Africa’s Samantha Ofole-Prince about his latest role, which marks a departure from what audiences have seen him in.
This is a new type of role for you Tyler, what sort of training and research did you undergo to build this character Alex Cross?
I was really committed to being this character and spent a lot of time with the Atlanta police department going on ride‐alongs. I trained about three times a week doing Krav Maga, a self‐defense art used by hundreds of law enforcement agencies, and it’s the most ass‐kicking workout I’ve ever experienced.
It’s very different from the work people know you for. Aren’t you worried about losing your core audiences?
My audience is pretty smart and they understand this is an acting role for me. I may lose a few of the grandmothers that come out after church, but I will do something for them a little later on. It is all about evolving, growing and trying something different. I have a feeling they will enjoy it, and accept it not as a moral tale, but as a really good fun thriller that takes you on a great ride.
We are used to seeing you directing, writing, producing and acting in your own projects. As “Alex Cross” is just an acting role for you, was it hard to give up control to someone else?
When you know how to lead, you also have to know how to follow. I am working with James Patterson who created this brilliant character and Rob Cohen, who is a brilliant director, and I have an opportunity to learn from both of them. For me it was all about surrender. Staying out of anything that I would do and just being the character. Work for hire was what I committed to do when I signed on for this role. I am good at giving up control to people who know where they are going, and what they are going to do. I can sit in the back seat and ride cross country if you know where you are going, and you know how to take me there. Rob is that kind of director. He knew where to go, he knew what he wanted, and he knew how to get there, so I just followed along. That was easy for me.
Morgan Freeman previously played Alex Cross in “Kiss the Girls” and “Along Came a Spider.” Did you watch those movies to try and emulate the character?
You don’t try to do what Morgan Freeman does. I knew going in I could not try to be Morgan playing Alex Cross, so I tried to forget everything I saw and just did the best I could.
