Tyler Perry Explains Why He Paid Cicely Tyson $1 Million For One Day’s Work

Tyler Perry speaks on Cicely Tyson, her legacy, and her greatness. In doing so, he revealed the time that he paid her $1 Million for one day’s work. 

During a recent interview, Perry, 52, said, “I’ve never said this publicly, but I took care of Ms. Tyson for the last 15 years of her life. She was a proud woman, and the only reason I mention this is because she wrote it in her book. This woman had done so many amazing things, but she wasn’t well compensated for it. She made $6,000 for Sounder, you know? I wanted to make sure she knew that there were people who valued her.”

He went on to say, “So, she did one day of work on my 2007 film Why Did I Get Married? I paid her a million dollars. I loved working with her. And it makes me feel great that I was in a position to give this incredible woman some security in her later years.” 

Cicely Tyson was cast in many of Tyler Perry’s movies including Madea’s Family Reunion, and Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Aside from that, Ms. Tyson had a successful career starring in other movies and shows such as Roots, The River Niger, Sounder, How To Get Away With Murder, and more. 

The late Cicely Tyson passed away in January 2021 at the age of 96.