Tyler Perry on The Oprah Show on March 4, 2005

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March 4, 2005
The mastermind behind Diary of a Mad Black Woman appeared on The Oprah Show in 2005.
Tyler wrote and produced this film, and he also played three different characters. One of his most popular characters is "Madea"—Southern slang for "mother dear." This hysterical character is based on his real-life aunt, Jerry Banks.

"My aunt, who was at the premiere last night, has a pistol in her purse," Tyler said during his 2005 appearance. "I'm like, 'How did you get this through the airport?' And she said, no, no,she didn't fly with it! That is who Madea is—my aunt. You don't want to meet her in a dark alley. I'm telling you. She can handle herself!"