Tyler Perry’s Mother Dies

Movie producer Tyler Perry says his mother, Willie Maxine Perry, has died.

His mother was 64. Tyler Perry announced the news of the Tuesday death on his Web site, where he thanked fans for their prayers. He did not say where his mother died or anything about the cause.

Perry’s publicist did not immediately respond to a phone call.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted a 2006 interview with Perry in which he said his mother was the basis for his most popular character, Madea.

The newspaper said Maxine Perry was a preschool teacher who worked at the New Orleans Jewish Community Center for most of her life.