For such a big franchise, it is no surprise that Tyler Perry’s Madea has created such a complex and seemingly never ending family tree for itself, but luckily, there is a method to the madness. In 2005, Tyler Perry wrote the very first Madea movie, entitled Diary of a Mad Black Woman. It tells the story of a young black woman who seeks refuge at her eccentric grandmother’s house after suffering from a bad break-up. Since then, the Madea cinematic universe has spawned twelve more movies, along with various plays, television series, and a book. In that time, Madea’s family tree has filled with countless cousins, nieces, and nephews.
At the center of this convoluted family tree, of course, is Madea. Mabel Earlene Simmons, better known as Madea, is a rough-and-tumble senior citizen with some criminal tendencies, but a massive soft spot for her family. For almost two decades, she has been portrayed on-screen by actor Tyler Perry. Tyler Perry’s Madea movies are well-known for its holiday themed films, but overall, includes thirteen movies in total. Almost all of these films introduce a new member of Madea’s vast family tree, though not necessarily in order of importance.
Helen Simmons-McCarter Is Madea’s Granddaughter
First Appeared In Diary of a Mad Black Woman
The very first member of Madea’s family to be introduced in the Madea franchise is Helen Simmons-McCarter. Helen is Madea’s granddaughter and the protagonist of 2005’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman, the first installment in the franchise. As previously mentioned, after Helen’s husband abandons her for his mistress, she seeks refuge at her grandmother Madea’s house. By the end of the film, Helen learns to stand up for herself and finds a better love with a moving truck driver, Orlando. Helen only appears in Diary of a Mad Black Woman.
Myrtle Simmons Is Madea’s Daughter-In-Law
First Appeared In Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Myrtle Simmons is Madea’s daughter-in-law and Helen’s mother. She appears in 2005’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea’s Family Reunion. In the film, Myrtle is living in a nursing home. Apparently, Helen’s husband forced her to put Myrtle in the home, therefore in court, she demands that he continue paying for said nursing home. Though Myrtle is supposed to be Madea’s son’s wife, she appears to be the same age as Madea, creating a strange continuity error.
Joe Simmons Is Madea’s Brother
First Appeared In Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Though Tyler Perry is best known for portaying Madea, he also takes on the role of Madea’s brother, Joe Simmons. Joe is first introduced in Diary of a Mad Black Woman, but also appears in most of the consequent Madea films as well. He is known for being lazy and blunt, with little regard for others feelings or desires. He is often making people uncomfortable and is particularly chaotic, even among his generally high energy family. He has a son and a daughter.
Brian Simmons Is Madea’s Nephew
First Appeared In Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Brian Simmons is Madea’s nephew and Joe’s son. He is also portrayed by Tyler Perry. Brian does not appear in as many Madea films as Joe, but he is something of a staple to the franchise. Brian works as a lawyer, and therefore, is often the one getting Madea out of her consistent legal troubles. In his personal life, Brian has a wife named Debrah who struggles with drug addiction. They eventually divorce, and Debrah gets into a new relationship with a man named Calvin. Brian and Debrah have two children together.
Tiffany Is Madea’s Grand-Niece
First Appeared In Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Tiffany is Madea’s grand-niece, Brian’s daughter, and Joe’s granddaughter. Though she first appears in 2005’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Tiffany’s biggest role is in the Madea Halloween movies, Boo! A Madea Halloween and Boo 2! A Madea Halloween. In these films, Tiffany fools Madea and her relatives in order to attend a Halloween party. Tiffany is a rebellious teenager, but also has a love for singing.
BJ Is Madea’s Grand-Nephew
First Appeared In Diary of a Mad Black Woman
BJ is Madea’s grand-nephew, Brian’s son, Joe’s grandson, and Tiffany’s brother. He also makes appearances in Boo! A Madea Halloween and Boo 2! A Madea Halloween. BJ plays a much smaller role in the Madea franchise. He is a generally shy and quiet character.
Victoria Breaux Is Madea’s Niece
First Appeared In Madea’s Family Reunion
Victoria Breaux is Madea’s niece. Her first and only appearance in the Madea franchise is in 2006’s Madea’s Family Reunion. Victoria is known for being sly and gold-digging. She has two daughters, Vanessa and Lisa.
Vanessa Breaux-Henderson Is Madea’s Grand-Niece
First Appeared In Madea’s Family Reunion
Vanessa Breaux-Henderson is Madea’s grand-niece and Victoria’s daughter. She makes her first and only appearance in the franchise in Madea’s Family Reunion. Vanessa has children with two different men, both of which are absent from their lives, which she receives judgement for. She starts a romance with a painter, Frankie Henderson, whom she later marries. By the end of the film, Vanessa has three children.
Lisa Breaux Is Madea’s Grand-Niece
First Appeared In Madea’s Family Reunion
Lisa Breaux is Madea’s grand-niece, Victoria’s daughter, and Vanessa’s sister. Madea’s Family Reunion is her first and only appearance in the Madea franchise. In the film, Lisa is engaged to a violent investment banker, Carlos. Though Lisa attempts to call off the wedding, Victoria meddles to keep Lisa and Carlos together. Ultimately, Lisa stands up to Carlos and her mother with Madea’s help.
Nima Is Madea’s Great Grand-Niece
First Appeared In Madea’s Family Reunion
Nima is Madea’s great grand-niece, Vanessa’s daughter, and Victoria’s granddaughter. She only appears in Madea’s Family Reunion.
Jonathan Is Madea’s Great Grand-Nephew
First Appeared In Madea’s Family Reunion
Jonathan is Madea’s great grand-nephew, Vanessa’s son, Victoria’s grandson, and Nima’s half-brother. Jonathan only appears in Madea’s Family Reunion.
Tre Is Madea’s Step Great Grand-Nephew
First Appeared In Madea’s Family Reunion
Tre is Madea’s step great grand-nephew, Vanessa’s step son, Frankie’s son, and Nima and Jonathan’s step brother. His first and only appearance in the Madea franchise is in Madea’s Family Reunion.
Isaac Is Madea’s Nephew
First Appeared In Madea’s Family Reunion
Isaac is Madea’s nephew. He makes his first and only appearance in the Madea franchise in Madea’s Family Reunion. He forms a rivalry with Joe in the movie after trying to repair Madea’s lawnmower. Isaac’s father is Madea’s cousin. Additionally, Isaac has a budding romance with Donna, Madea’s niece.
Isaac Sr. Is Madea’s Cousin
First Appeared In Madea’s Family Reunion
Isaac Sr. is Madea’s cousin and Isaac’s father. He only appears in Madea’s Family Reunion. He plays a very minor role in the Madea franchise.
Donna Is Madea’s Niece
First Appeared In Madea’s Family Reunion
Donna is Madea’s niece, Brian’s sister, and Joe’s daughter. Donna makes her first and final appearance in Madea’s Family Reunion. She has a romantic plotline with Madea’s nephew, Isaac.
Aunt Ruby Is Madea’s Aunt
First Appeared In Madea’s Family Reunion
Aunt Ruby is Madea’s aunt. She only appears in Madea’s Family Reunion. Ruby is 96-years-old and the family reunion is held at her house. Ruby has two daughters. She is the only family member in the Madea franchise that is older and more matriarchal than Madea herself.
Aunt May Is Madea’s Cousin
First Appeared In Madea’s Family Reunion
Aunt May is Madea’s cousin and Aunt Ruby’s daughter. Her only appearance in the franchise is in Madea’s Family Reunion. Aunt May is a minor part of the Madea franchise.
Aunt Sarah Is Madea’s Cousin
First Appeared In Madea’s Family Reunion
Aunt Sarah is Madea’s cousin, Aunt Ruby’s daughter, and Aunt May’s sister. Sarah’s first and only appearance is in Madea’s Family Reunion. She plays a small role in the overall Madea franchise.
Grover Is Madea’s Cousin
First Appeared In Madea’s Family Reunion
Grover is Madea’s cousin. He is first introduced is Madea’s Family Reunion. Grover does not appear again in the franchise.
Pete Is Madea’s Cousin
First Appeared In Madea’s Family Reunion
Pete is Madea’s cousin. He appears in Madea’s Family Reunion. Pete never appears again in the Madea franchise.
Cora Simmons Is Madea’s Daughter
First Appeared In Meet the Browns
Cora Simmons is the long-lost daughter of Madea. Though Madea does not learn of her relation to Cora until the 2009 film Madea Goes To Jail, Cora’s first technical appearance in the franchise is in 2008’s Meet the Browns. From there, Cora appears in several other Madea films. Throughout the franchise, it is unclear who her father truly is. Cora has a daughter and a grandson.
Leroy Brown Is Madea’s Former Lover
First Appeared In Meet the Browns
Leroy Brown is Madea’s potential former lover and Cora’s father. Once again, Leroy is first introduced in Meet the Browns, but doesn’t meet Madea until Madea Goes To Jail. Though Leroy is considered Cora’s father, it isn’t entirely clear how Leroy and Madea met and conceived Cora, leaving question about whether Cora’s father is actually another man.
Shirley Is Madea’s Niece
First Appeared In Madea’s Big Happy Family
Shirley is Madea’s niece. She makes her first and only appearance in the franchise in Madea’s Big Happy Family. Shirley technically has two children, but is believed to have three at the start of the film. Throughout Madea’s Big Happy Family, Shirley struggles to tell her family about her fatal cancer diagnosis. Shirley dies at the end of the film.
Tammy Is Madea’s Grand-Niece
First Appeared In Madea’s Big Happy Family
Tammy is Madea’s grand-niece and Shirley’s daughter. Tammy only appears in Madea’s Big Happy Family. In the film, she has marital problems with her husband, Harold, and struggles to keep a hold on her two rambunctious children. Eventually, Tammy learns to respect her husband, and the two’s relationship improves.
Kimberly Is Madea’s Grand-Niece
First Appeared In Madea’s Big Happy Family
Kimberly is Madea’s grand-niece, Shirley’s daughter, and Tammy’s sister. Madea’s Big Happy Family is her only appearance in the Madea franchise. Kimberly has a husband named Calvin and a child named CJ. In a shocking twist, it is revealed that Kimberly’s brother is actually her son that she had when she was 13. Kimberly has a hard time dealing with this secret.
Byron Is Madea’s Great Grand-Nephew
First Appeared In Madea’s Big Happy Family
Byron is Madea’s great grand-nephew, Kimberly’s son, and Shirley’s grandson. Byron is only present for Madea’s Big Happy Family. Though he is first introduced as Shirley’s son, it turns out that Byron is actually Kimberly’s child from when she was 13. Furthermore, he is an ex-con in a strained relationship with a woman named Renee, with whom he has a child.
HJ Is Madea’s Great Grand-Nephew
First Appeared In Madea’s Big Happy Family
HJ is Madea’s great grand-nephew and Tammy’s son. He appears in Madea’s Big Happy Family. HJ never appears again in the Madea franchise.
Will Is Madea’s Great Grand-Nephew
First Appeared In Madea’s Big Happy Family
Will is Madea’s great grand-nephew and Tammy’s son. He appears in Madea’s Big Happy Family. Will never appears again in the Madea franchise.
CJ Is Madea’s Great Grand-Nephew
First Appeared In Madea’s Big Happy Family
CJ is Madea’s great grand-nephew and Kimberly’s son. He appears in Madea’s Big Happy Family. CJ never appears again in the Madea franchise.
Betty Ann “Aunt Bam” Murphy Is Madea’s Cousin
First Appeared In Madea’s Big Happy Family
Aunt Bam is Madea’s cousin. She first appears in Madea’s Big Happy Family, and returns later for consequent Madea films. Bam is very similar to Madea, and is like her partner in crime. She is a tough, feisty old lady.
Eileen Murphy Is Madea’s Niece
First Appeared In A Madea Christmas
Eileen Murphy is Madea’s niece. Eileen’s first and only appearance is in A Madea Christmas. In the film, Eileen holds a grudge against white people because her husband left her for a white woman. Therefore, Eileen is upset when her daughter reveals that she is married to a white man.
Lacey Williams Is Madea’s Grand-Niece
First Appeared In A Madea Christmas
Lacey Williams is Madea’s great-niece and Eileen’s daughter. She only appears in A Madea Christmas. Lacey is a schoolteacher and is married to a white man, which she hides from her mother. Lacey and her husband have a rivalry with a man named Tanner, who sabotages their lives.
Heathrow Simmons Is Madea’s Brother
First Appeared In A Madea Family Funeral
Heathrow Simmons is Madea and Joe’s brother. His first and only appearance is in A Madea Family Funeral. He is also portrayed by Tyler Perry. Heathrow is a paraplegic, and though he claims it is from fighting in a war, Madea reasons that it is because he hit on a mobster’s girlfriend and Joe says that he is a diabetic.
Vianne Is Madea’s Niece
First Appeared In A Madea Family Funeral
Vianne is Madea’s niece and Heathrow’s daughter. She only appears in A Madea Family Funeral. Vianne is married to a man named Anthony who dies from a heart attack after being caught cheating on Vianne. In the film, Vianne comes to terms with Anthony’s cheating and finds romance with another man.
AJ Is Madea’s Grand-Nephew
First Appeared In A Madea Family Funeral
AJ is Madea’s grand-nephew and Vianne’s son. He appears in Madea’s Family Funeral. AJ is married to Carol but cheats with Gia.
Sylvia Is Madea’s Grand-Niece
First Appeared In A Madea Family Funeral
Sylvia is Madea’s grand-niece and Vianne’s daughter. He appears in Madea’s Family Funeral. Sylvia is married to Will.
Jesse Is Madea’s Grand-Nephew
First Appeared In A Madea Family Funeral
Jesse is Madea’s grand-nephew and Vianne’s son. He appears in Madea’s Family Funeral. Jesse is married to Gia.
Laura Is Madea’s Granddaughter
First Appeared In A Madea Homecoming
Laura is Madea’s granddaughter. She only appears in A Madea Homecoming. Laura has a son and a sister. She begins a romance with Davi.
Tim Is Madea’s Great-Grandson
First Appeared In A Madea Homecoming
Tim is Madea’s great-grandson and Laura’s son. Tim makes his first and only appearance in A Madea Homecoming. He comes out as gay in the film and has a rivalry with Davi, though ultimately, he gives Laura and Davi his blessing.
Ellie Is Madea’s Granddaughter
First Appeared In A Madea Homecoming
Ellie is Madea’s granddaughter, Laura’s sister, and Tim’s aunt. A Madea Homecoming is the only time Ellie appears in the Tyler Perry’s Madea franchise. She works as a police officer and is a supportive figure for Laura.
