Who Plays Madea

Madea, the beloved sassy and no-nonsense grandmother character, has become an icon of the African American comedy world since making her debut in the hit play I Can Do Bad All By Myself. The brainchild of the legendary actor and director Tyler Perry, Madea has become a classic and continues to captivate audiences to this day.

So who is the brave person behind all of Madea’s iconic moments? Perry himself brings Madea to life, whether it be on stage, in movies, or in any other form of media. Acting has always been a passion of Perry’s, and as he has said himself, “Madea is a gift from God.”

Perry first introduced Madea to the world in 1999, in his very first stage play, I Can Do Bad All By Myself. But it was the 2005 release of his film Diary of a Mad Black Woman that really launched Madea into superstardom. The film was a huge hit, grossing over $50 million dollars at the box office.

Another popular Madea film, Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion, also made it to the big screen in 2006, and raked in more than $60 million. After several more successful films and stage plays featuring Madea, giving fans more of the same lovable, outrageous character they’ve grown to know and love, Perry wrapped up his Madea film series in 2019 with A Madea Family Funeral.

Perry has always kept busy behind the camera, writing, directing, and producing other films, series, and plays. But his portrayal of Madea is surely the one he will always be remembered for. There’s no doubt that Madea’s sharp wit, outrageous behavior, and loving heart will live on for many more years to come.