Tyler Perry listed on Barbara Walter’s 10 Most Fascinating People of 2009

Barbara Walters interviewed Tyler Perry last week as part of her 10 Most Fascinating People of 2009.

Tyler Perry is an actor, director, screenwriter, producer and author whose films have grossed nearly $400 million worldwide. Many of his films incorporate themes about spirituality, humor, forgiveness and overcoming life’s challenges.

He was probably listed as one one of the most fascinating people of 2009 because he earned $75 million in 2008, placing him just outside the top five highest paid men in Hollywood, the success of his most recent film, Precious and because he recently revealed details of abuse he suffered as a child.

During his interview with Barbara Walters last week, Perry told her that God helped him get through the abuse. He said that as a child he would hear a quiet voice inside of him saying that, “Everything is going to be okay.” He says that God was speaking to him to help him get through that difficult period of his life.

Tyler Perry has also been recognized for his philanthropy during the past year. According to wikipedia, On July 20, 2009, Perry sponsored 65 children from a Philadelphia day camp to go to Walt Disney World after reading about a suburban swim club that had shunned them because of reported racism. Perry wrote on his website,

“I want them to know that for every act of evil that a few people will throw at you, there are millions more who will do something kind for them.”