Tyler Perry Studios Grand Opening

Arts and Culture

Photos: Tyler Perry Studios Grand Opening

Photos of the opening and red carpet of Tyler Perry Studios in Southwest Atlanta

Tyler Perry held a grand opening celebration for his 200,000 square foot studio complex on 30 acres in southwest Atlanta on Oct. 4, 2008.

Many big name celebrities attended the gala for first major television and movie studio owned and run by an African-American film producer. Here, Academy Award winning actor Sidney Poitier and Perry pose on the red carpet.

"I never dreamed I would witness this in my lifetime," said Cicely Tyson, an Oscar nominee for "Sounder", reflected on the red carpet. "What I've been able to achieve in my career is minuscule in comparison to this."

Perry was glad to convert an abandoned airline reservation center into his new complex. "I looked at the abandoned buildings and I thought, 'There's no way,' " Perry said on a film. "Then I saw what I thought was debris on the front gates. I looked closer and realized someone had taped Bible Scriptures on the gate. Then I knew. I jumped in full steam with no fear. Nothing but the grace of God has brought me to this place."

Actor Will Smith and Tyler Perry joke around on the red carpet.

Grammy Award winning singer Gladys Knight and her husband, William McDowell.

U.S. Rep. John Lewis.

Not everyone was celebrating at the event. Writers Guild of America members and supporters protested.

Four writers from "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" have accused Perry of firing them because they tried to unionize the writers on his show.

Pastor Paula White and her son, Brad.

Baseball slugger Barry Bonds and his wife, Liz.

Valerie Jackson, widow of former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson.

Denise Laughton

Actress Holly Robinson.

Lawyer and TV personality Star Jones.

Grammy Award winning singer and pianist John Legend.

Actress, poet, playwright and activist Ruby Dee.

Soul singer Patti LaBelle.

Music executive L.A. Reid.

"It's wonderful to see him [Perry] giving back to this neighborhood. Even when the city hosted the Olympics, this area never received this kind of assistance," said former Brave and home run king Henry Aaron pictured with his wife Billie.

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Tyler Perry held a grand opening celebration for his 200,000 square foot studio complex on 30 acres in southwest Atlanta on Oct. 4, 2008.

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