Tyler Perry. Picture: Netflix

Tyler Perry as Madea. Picture: FemaleFirst

Tyler Perry has retaliated against Spike Lee's claims that his Madea persona fostered unfavourable racial stereotypes.

The 53-year-old director claimed that Madea

Tyler Perry has retaliated against Spike Lee's claims that his Madea persona fostered unfavourable racial stereotypes.

who is based on his mother and aunt, was created to pay tribute to

the individuals that made me who I am."

When he spoke with Chris Wallace, 74, on his new HBO Max talk programme, he discussed Spike's comments.

In 2009, Spike, 65, stirred some controversy by calling Madea

coonery buffoonery" and claiming that it strengthened derogatory preconceptions of the black community.

For me, I have liked the movies that I have done, because these are the folks that I grew up with, that I represent," Perry said to Wallace.