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Tyler Perry put up seven figures for just one day on set with late actress Cicely Tyson.
During an interview with AARP, Perry revealed that he paid Tyson, who died last year at age 96, "a million dollars" for a single day of work on his 2007 film Why Did I Get Married?
"This woman had done so many amazing things, but she wasn't well compensated for it," Perry told AARP. "She made $6,000 for Sounder, you know? I wanted to make sure she knew that there were people who valued her."
The movie exec said he "loved working with Tyson" on his 2007 hit movie.
"It makes me feel great that I was in a position to give this incredible woman some security in her latter years," Perry added.
Tyson and Perry worked together on a number of films including Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea's Family Reunion, and Why Did I Get Married Too?
Following Tyson's death, Perry posted a heartfelt tribute highlighting the critically acclaimed actress' legacy.
"My heart breaks in one beat while celebrating her life in the next," Perry wrote on Instagram in part. "To think that she lived for 96 years and I got to be a part of the last 16 brings me great joy. She called me son. Well, today your son grieves your loss and will miss our long talks, your laughter from your belly, and your very presence."
"Always so regal, always so classy, always a lady, always a queen," he added. "Every time we would talk I would ask, 'How are you?' and you would say, 'I'm still here. He must have something he wants me to do.' Well, I think it's safe to say you have done all you were put here to do, and we are all better for it."
During her seven-decade-long career, Tyson racked in more than 95 television and film credits, which earned the actress Academy, Tony, and Emmy awards.
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