Tyler Perry (born September 13, 1969 in New Orleans) is an African American playwright and actor, whose work plays are usually for encouragement to African Americans. Having started writing plays at age 18, Perry created a successful touring theater company, videos of whose performances were sold on DVD. As of March 2005, the plays had grossed over $75 million in ticket and DVD sales. He is well known for his plays on Madea. At age 16, he had his first name legally changed from Emmitt to Tyler in an effort to distance himself from his father.