Tyler Perry recently disclosed that he paid the late Cicely Tyson an astounding $1 million for just one day of work on his major film, “Why Did I Get Married?” The revelation came during an interview with AARP The Magazine for its August/September cover story.
In the interview, Perry acknowledged that he took care of Tyson during the last 15 years of her life, emphasizing her pride and the lack of adequate compensation for her remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry. Tyson, a trailblazer for Black actresses, played iconic roles in films such as “Sounder,” “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” and “Fried Green Tomatoes.” Her impact extended to television with appearances in shows like “Roots,” “How To Get Away With Murder,” “Sweet Justice,” and “Cherish The Day.”
Perry expressed the desire to rectify the historical underpayment of Tyson’s work, stating, “I wanted to make sure she knew that there were people who valued her.” For her single day of work on “Why Did I Get Married?” in 2007, Perry paid Tyson a million dollars. He spoke fondly of working with her and the satisfaction he felt in providing financial security to an incredible woman in her later years.
Cicely Tyson passed away on January 28, 2021, at the age of 96. In the wake of her death, Perry paid tribute to her on Instagram, describing her as the grandmother he never had and a source of wisdom. Perry acknowledged the joy of being part of the last 16 years of Tyson’s life, expressing grief for her loss while celebrating the profound impact she had on him personally and the industry as a whole.
