Tyler Perry Reportedly Helps American Man Stuck at Mexican Hospital with $16K Bill after He Fell Ill on a Cruise Ship
Tyler Perry is arguably one of Hollywood's busiest men, but that hasn’t stopped him from lending a helping hand. The movie mogul recently came to the rescue of an American who was stranded at a Mexican hospital with a $16,000 bill.
Stephen Johnson and his fiancée, Tori Austin, were reportedly on a vacation cruise ship when he suffered a severe medical emergency, NBC News reported.
Tyler Perry at the ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 07, 2019 | Photo: Getty Images
Austin told the outlet that Johnson was diagnosed aboard the cruise ship with pancreatitis, diabetes, and a kidney infection that required dialysis.
After making history with the grand opening of the Tyler Perry studios last month, the "Good Deeds" star is now set to make his Netflix debut.
An administrator at the private Mexican hospital Johnson was rushed to also confirmed that the American was "near death" when he came in.
MONEY TROUBLES
After three days of intensive care and several medical procedures, including dialysis and an endoscopy, Johnson's medical bill reportedly came to over $14,000.
The Atlanta couple was then told that hospital policy required patients to pay their bills before leaving. Austin and Johnson's sister created a GoFundMe campaign to raise the money, but each additional day meant the bill kept going up.
Tyler Perry at the grand opening gala of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia on Oct. 5, 2019 | Photo: Getty Images
TYLER PERRY STEPS IN
Eventually, when Perry saw a news report on the couple's predicament, the bill was already over $16,000. The filmmaker then reportedly sent in a payment to cover the entire cost.
According to Austin, Perry also offered to cover her and Johnson’s travel expenses back to Atlanta. "I am so thankful for him," she told NBC News of the prominent philanthropist.
A GLOWING REPUTATION
Perry has become known almost as much for his selfless acts as for his creative genius. Only two months ago, the actor, writer, producer, director, and studio owner, stepped in to help victims of the devastating Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas.
Perry, 50, reportedly used his plane to transport relief materials to the islands and even helped airlift several passengers in need of urgent medical attention to the United States.
According to CNN, Perry has also, in the past, paid off customers' Walmart layaways and donated help to a church in need.
BUSY WITH A HEART OF GOLD
While he's putting smiles on people's faces by ministering to their needs, Perry also continues to excel in his career. After making history with the grand opening of the Tyler Perry studios last month, the "Good Deeds" star is now set to make his Netflix debut.
According to ESSENCE, Perry's first project for the giant streaming service will be a feature film called "A Fall From Grace," which will premiere on January 17.
STAR-STUDDED PROJECT
Starring industry heavyweights like Cicely Tyson, Phylicia Rashad, and Perry himself, the movie reportedly follows a woman who finds new love after heartbreak, only for it to be threatened by secrets and violence.
Perry shared a poster for the film on Twitter last week, announcing: "My next movie guys!!! This is an amazing thriller!!!"
As Deadline reported, Perry is also currently working on a new family live-action series for Nickelodeon and has also been churning out original series for BET Networks.
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