Media mogul Tyler Perry, who is also the godfather of Meghan Markle’s daughter Lilibet, has publicly expressed his disappointment with the Duchess of Sussex for not paying tribute to the late TV producer Norman Lear.
Lear, a legendary figure in the industry, passed away at the age of 101 on Tuesday.
Perry accused Markle of being ungrateful and disrespectful to Lear, citing her rejection from his reboot of All in the Family and the Jeffersons in 2019 as the reason behind her behavior.
According to sources close to Perry, he was deeply saddened by Lear’s death as he considered him a mentor and a friend.
Perry had collaborated with Lear on the live remake of his classic sitcoms, which aired on ABC in May 2019.
The star-studded cast included Woody Harrelson, Marisa Tomei, Jamie Foxx, Wanda Sykes, Kerry Washington, and Will Ferrell.
During this time, Markle, still a senior member of the British royal family, secretly auditioned for a role in the remake, hoping to revive her acting career.
She sent a tape of herself reading the part of Gloria Steich, Archie Bunker’s daughter-in-law in All in the Family.
However, Lear was not impressed and ultimately cast Ellie Kemper instead.
Perry revealed that Markle was furious when she discovered she had been rejected.
She blamed Lear for bias and sexism and even accused him of racism, alleging that he had cast her husband, Prince Harry, as Lionel Jefferson in The Jeffersons.
Perry clarified that this was untrue, as Harry had never auditioned for the role, and it was actually Giovanna Deppo who played Lionel in the remake.
Perry attempted to calm Markle down by highlighting Lear’s contributions as a pioneer of social justice and diversity in television.
He emphasized Lear’s creation of influential shows like Maude, Good Times, Sanford and Son, and One Day at a Time.
Perry also mentioned Lear’s philanthropy, as he had donated millions to causes such as civil rights, environmental protection, and education.
Despite Perry’s efforts, Markle continued to hold a grudge against Lear even after she and Harry relocated to California in 2020.
Perry extended his friendship and kindness by offering them his Beverly Hills mansion and security team, as they had lost their royal protection and funding from the royal family.
He hoped that this gesture would help Markle change her attitude towards Lear.
The passing of Norman Lear has left a void in the entertainment industry, with actors and producers paying tribute to his legacy.
George Clooney expressed his sorrow, stating that it was difficult to accept the loss of Lear at the age of 101.
Clooney described Lear as Reason’s greatest advocate and a dear friend to their family.
Jane Fonda also mourned the loss, acknowledging Lear’s personal impact on many individuals and his significant contributions to American comedy.
Tyler Perry shared a personal story alongside Lear, describing him as one of his heroes.
In conclusion, Tyler Perry has criticized Meghan Markle for her lack of appreciation and respect towards the late TV producer Norman Lear.
Despite Lear’s mentorship and contribution to the remake of classic sitcoms, Markle held a grudge against him.
Perry, along with other industry leaders, paid tribute to Lear’s immense influence on American comedy and his significant role as a philanthropist.