Hollywood’s most generous mogul proves his reputation of being a do-gooder is well earned. Few can match Tyler Perry’s track record. The filmmaker, who built an entertainment empire from scratch, has become as famous for his philanthropy as for his box office successes.
Yet even by Perry’s standards, handing over his black card to “Beauty In Black” actress Crystle Stewart demonstrates a level of trust and generosity that might leave fans stunned.
During a recent appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Stewart revealed the extraordinary gesture that occurred during what began as a disastrous trip to Italy. What transpired next perfectly encapsulates why Perry has earned his reputation as one of entertainment’s most benevolent figures.
“It was like a three-day trip almost. I was coming from Houston and I get to Atlanta… and it was like a layover and once you have a layover it just messes up everything,” Stewart explained to Clarkson, who was visibly captivated by the story.
Stewart’s worst travel fears materialized when her luggage failed to arrive for what was supposed to be a luxury yacht excursion with friends.
“Get there finally and my luggage doesn’t show up. [I’m there] for a week and have nothing,” she recounted.
The situation eventually overwhelmed her, “At some point I was just exhausted. I’m in the car and I just started crying.”
Enter Perry, who responded with characteristic generosity. “Crystal don’t worry about it. I know you had a hard time getting here. Here is my black card,” Stewart recalled, still seemingly in disbelief.
The gesture prompted Clarkson to break into her version of En Vogue’s “What a Man.”
But what Stewart did next left audiences gasping. When asked what she purchased with essentially unlimited access to Perry’s fortune, the actress confessed: “I need, you know, undergarments. I need pajamas… I suppose. But I went to the Rolex store. I had Tyler Perry’s black card. Where would you go?”
When posted on the show’s Instagram, one fan gasped, “Pajamas to Rolex.”
Another added, “Wow, she spent his money on unnecessary Rolex…not cool. He felt bad she was missing her luggage and offered her to get what she needed… you don’t NEED a Rolex!”
One person wasn’t so concerned, “I meaannn a Rolex is an essential! He didn’t want you to be late anywhere did he?!”
This anecdote, while entertaining, represents just one example in Perry’s extensive history of generosity. The filmmaker’s philanthropic portfolio extends far beyond personal favors to friends.
When legendary actress Cicely Tyson worked with Perry on “Why Did I Get Married?” he reputedly paid her $1 million for a single day of filming, recognizing her immense contribution to the craft. Perry collaborated with Tyson on multiple projects including “A Fall from Grace,” “Madea’s Family Reunion,” and “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” before her passing in January 2021.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Perry left a $21,000 tip for 42 servers at Houston’s Restaurant in Atlanta — a place he frequented since his days of housing insecurity — ensuring each received $500 during a time of unprecedented economic uncertainty for service workers.
In 2022, Perry surprised his former stylist and “Sistas” actress Crystal Renee with nearly two dozen designer handbags for her 41st birthday. The collection included pieces from Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, and a Louis Vuitton OnTheGo tote valued at $3,250.
Perry’s philanthropy extends beyond personal connections to community impact. In 2023, he donated $2.75 million to prevent the displacement of low-income senior citizens facing rising property taxes in Atlanta.
Previously, in 2020, he covered funeral expenses for Rayshard Brooks, a Black man fatally shot by police in Atlanta, while also providing financial support for Brooks’ four children.
Whether through headline-making donations or personal gestures of kindness, Tyler Perry continues to demonstrate that true wealth lies in what you give, not what you keep.
