Multi talented Tyler Perry is named highest paid male entertainer in the world, earning $130 million last year

Success story: Tyler Perry has been  named the highest earning male entertainer by Forbes

His films have taken more than $500 million worldwide and he's also a man of many talents, with acting, producing, screenwriting and directing credits to his name.
And Tyler Perry's success has clearly reaped dividends, with the 42-year-old star being named the highest paid male entertainer of last year by Forbes magazine. 
Perry coined in a cool $130 million (£82m) from several projects between May last year and May 2011. 
The star, who was born in New Orleans, has released a whopping four movies over the past year, acting as writer, director and producer.
He also created and produces U.S. TBS sitcom Meet The Browns and is behind the network's other successful comedy House of Payne.
Arguably, Perry's most famous character is fictional mother Madea Simmons, who has featured in five of his movies, the last of which - Madea's Happy Family - came out in April.
Madea made her début in Perry's first movie Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman which was released back in 2005.

Beloved: Perry is much loved for his character Madea Simmons who appears in several of his movies

The character has helped Perry edge out second placed Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced the smash hit Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
This year's fourth instalment of the Johnny Depp vehicle made more than $1 billion at the global box office.
Bruckheimer, 65, earned $113 million (£71m), thanks in part to the success of the CSI TV series which he produces.
Director and producer Steven Spielberg, 64, made third place with $107 million (£67.7m) while Elton John eclipsed Simon Cowell to make fourth place with $100 million (£63m).

Runner up: Producer Jerry Bruckheimer came in second place with a cool $113 million, thanks to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and the CSI TV series

Top ten earners: Film director Steven Spielberg and musician Elton John made third and fourth spot in the Forbes list

John, 64, raked in $100m, thanks to his world tour which took over $204m in box office receipts.
His extensive back catalogue of hits, such as Your Song and Crocodile Rock also boosted his earnings, according to research by Forbes.
Cowell, 51, was rated fifth on the list with $90 million (£57m) with his earnings coming from his work on American Idol and the upcoming launch of the U.S. version of the X-Factor.
He was followed by one man book industry James Patterson, who had 20 best selling books in 2010 alone according to Forbes.

American idols: Simon Cowell came fifth on the list, with thriller book author James Patterson making sixth place

Broadcast hits: Oprah Winfrey prodigy Dr Phil McGraw came in seventh, while shock jock Howard Stern made eighth place

Forbes' top ten highest paid male entertainers

1. Tyler Perry $130m (£82m)
2. Jerry Bruckheimer $113m (£71m)
3.Steven Spielberg  (£67.7m)
4. Elton John $100m (£63m)
5. Simon Cowell $90m ($57m)
6. James Patterson $84m (£53m)
7. Dr Phil McGraw $80m (£50m)
8.Howard Stern $76m (£54m)
9.Leo DiCaprio $77m (£48.7m)
10.Tiger Woods $75m (£47.5m)

The 64-year-old author of thriller novels works with a rotating group of co-authors to churn out books in his hit Alex Cross and Women's Murder Club series, which made him $84 million (£53m).
Oprah Winfrey prodigy Dr Phil McGraw came in ninth with $80 million (£50m) while radio 'shock jock' DJ Howard Strem raked in $76 million (£54m) after renewing his SiriusXM satellite radio contract through to 2015.
Leonardo Dicaprio was the only actor in the top ten, following the success last year of films such as Inception and Shutter Island, which meant he took home $77 million (£48.7m) up to May 2011.
He is next due to star as FBI chief Edgar J Hoover in Clint Eastwood’s latest film.
And despite failing to capture his best form since being engulfed by several personal scandals, Tiger Woods, 35, remains the highest paid sportsman in the world.

He earned $75 million (£47.5m) to rank 10th on the list as major sponsors such as Nike stayed loyal to the 34 year old golfer.

Big bucks: Leonardo Dicaprio had successes with Shutter Island and Inception to come 9th on the list, while Tiger Woods managed 10th place despite his personal troubles