Tyler Perry has long been known for breaking Hollywood norms, and if recent reports are to be believed, he’s also one of the most generous filmmakers when it comes to paying his actors. While major studios like Disney have been criticized for low salaries, Perry allegedly ensures that his lead actors—even lesser-known ones—receive multi-million dollar paychecks for their work.
Let’s break down the alleged salaries of actors in some of Perry’s biggest recent projects and compare them to what Disney reportedly paid stars like Chadwick Boseman and Halle Bailey.
Is Tyler Perry Paying Actors More Than Disney?
Hollywood pay disparity has long been a topic of discussion, with major studios being called out for underpaying Black actors despite massive box office successes.
For instance, reports claim that:
- Chadwick Boseman was only paid $500,000 for his role in Black Panther (despite the movie grossing $1.3 billion worldwide).
- Halle Bailey allegedly earned just $1.5 million for playing Ariel in The Little Mermaid.
Meanwhile, Tyler Perry, who operates outside the traditional studio system, is rumored to be paying lead actors millions per film—even those without A-list Hollywood status.
Alleged Actor Salaries in Tyler Perry Films
1. Six Triple Eight (Netflix)
- Kerry Washington – $8 million + producing credits
- Co-star – $2 million
Perry’s upcoming World War II film, Six Triple Eight, reportedly paid Kerry Washington handsomely, making her one of the highest-paid actresses in any Perry project to date.
2. Divorce in Black (Amazon)
- Meagan Good – $5 million
- Cory Hardrict – $4 million
For a film starring Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict, these salaries are significantly higher than typical industry pay for mid-budget streaming films.
3. Mea Culpa (Netflix)
- Kelly Rowland – $4 million
- Trevante Rhodes – $4 million
Tyler Perry’s legal thriller Mea Culpa may not have received the best reviews, but its lead actors reportedly walked away with serious paychecks.
4. A Jazzman’s Blues (Netflix)
- Both lead actors – $2 million each
Despite being a Netflix release with lesser-known lead actors, Perry allegedly paid each lead $2 million—far more than most emerging actors earn in similar films.
5. Acrimony (2018)
- Taraji P. Henson – $6 million
For Acrimony, Taraji P. Henson, who has publicly discussed pay disparities in Hollywood, allegedly received a multi-million dollar payday for working with Perry.
6. I Can Do Bad All by Myself (2009)
- Taraji P. Henson – $2 million
Even back in 2009, Perry was reportedly paying his actors well, with Taraji receiving $2 million for her lead role in I Can Do Bad All by Myself.
The Bigger Picture: Why Does Perry Pay More?
Unlike traditional Hollywood studios, Perry owns his productions outright, allowing him to negotiate salaries more generously than major corporations like Disney, which operate on rigid profit-driven budgets.
✔ He doesn’t answer to studio heads – Perry funds his own films, meaning he controls how much actors get paid.
✔ He prioritizes fair pay for Black actors – Perry has spoken out about industry pay disparities and has a history of making sure Black talent is compensated fairly.
✔ He keeps production costs low – By shooting at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, he cuts overhead costs and redirects funds toward talent salaries.
Final Thoughts: Is Perry Setting a New Standard?
If these reported numbers are accurate, Tyler Perry is paying his actors far more generously than many Hollywood studios—especially when compared to Disney’s blockbuster films.
While major studios rake in billions, they often underpay Black actors, a criticism that Perry has actively worked to counter.
Though actors rarely publicly disclose their salaries, if Perry truly pays his lead actors millions, he may be changing the game for Black performers in Hollywood—one multi-million dollar paycheck at a time.