The Tyler Perry Studios Opening Gala took place on October 4, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. Tyler Perry has made history, becoming the first African-American to establish his own TV and film studio. Gala attendees included numerous A-list celebrities, luminaries and living legends, including Sidney Poitier, Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Ruby Dee, Cicely Tyson, Louis Gossett, Jr., Holly Robinson Peete, Tracey Edmonds, L.A. Reid, Patti LaBelle, John Legend, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds.
Tyler Perry Studios occupies 30 acres in southwest Atlanta, and has more than 200,000 square feet of studio and office space. He will shoot his TBS sitcoms, “House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns” in the new studio. Speaking of Tyler Perry’s achievement, screen legend Sidney Poitier (pictured above with Tyler Perry) had this to say:
“I spent 56 years making movies and this is the reward that I have that means the most to me,” said Poitier, 81, the first African-American to win a Best Actor Oscar, for 1963’s Lilies of the Field.
A New Orleans native with a troubled childhood, Perry, 39, credited all of his guests with inspiring his life. Of Winfrey, who attended the celebration with longtime beau Stedman Graham and best friend Gayle King, Perry said, “She owns her life. I am learning that. I never would have shown this to people a few years ago. I was embarrassed by the success.”
As a large cast of attendants passed around champagne and tissues for the teary-eyed (who were many), Perry shared his rags-to-riches story over a large video screen that eventually gave way to a live singer and band delivering “The Impossible Dream,” followed by a fireworks display. Mary J. Blige, Patti Labelle and Gladys Knight also treated guests to separate performances.
Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight
At one point, Perry unveiled a special surprise for veteran trailblazers Poitier, Dee and Tyson: each now has a soundstage named after him and her.
Sidney Poitier
“Is this my wall?” joked Poitier – as Winfrey dissolved into tears.
Sidney Poitier and Oprah Winfrey
All joking aside, it was Will Smith who best summed up Perry’s accomplishment and the tide of change taking place in America today.
Will Smith and Sidney Poitier
“This is an American first, and the first in the universe,” said the I Am Legend star. “There is something happening in America and in the world that’s powerful. He is not letting anyone get in his way.
“Those are the wonderfully naïve, arrogant, humble, powerfully American concepts that make things powerful in this country. It’s big.”
Source: Tyler Perry Makes History – & Oprah Is There!
See also: Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith at Tyler Perry’s Studio Opening (ET’s Kevin Frazier report and video)
Photo credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images North America
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Video Tyler Perry Studios Opening Gala - Atlanta, GA October 4, 2008 - Red carpet interviews
Ruby Dee
Ruby Dee and Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry, Cicley Tyson, Will Smith
Will Smith and Tyler Perry
Video & Photos: Tyler Perry Studios Opening Gala 10-4-08 pics pictures
