Tyler Perry Has Coronavirus Warning After Famed Hair Stylist Charles Gregory Dies

Tyler Perry and Charles Gregory (Credit: Instagram)

Tyler Perry has issued a warning to African Americans following the death of celebrity makeup artist and hair stylist Charles Gregory, who passed away Wednesday from complications due to coronavirus.

Perry took to social media Thursday to pay tribute to Gregory who was a stylist on productions such as A Fall from Grace, Madea Goes to Jail, Zola and All Eyez on Me.

“Today it’s with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of one of our crew members,” Perry wrote on Instagram. “Mr. Charles Gregory was a hairstylist that had worked with us for many years.”

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Most recently, Gregory created the entertainment mogul’s Colin Powell wig for the 2018 film Vice.

Gregory also landed an Emmy nomination for his work on the TV movie Lackawanna Blues in 2005. His other credits included Drumline, Remember the Titans and Idlewild.

The Atlanta-based artist worked closely with Perry’s team at Tyler Perry Studios over the years. He also launched his own wig collection, “The Renowned” last year.

“The man was warm, loving and hilarious,” said Perry.

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The filmmaker also took the moment to issue a strong reminder to African Americans to take the pandemic seriously and protect themselves.

“While everyone can contract this virus, it is black people who are dying from it in much larger numbers,” Perry said. “This thing is real, black people; I heard a black person say, ‘Black people don’t get it,’ Perry explained. “That’s a lie! You can get it, and you will get it if we don’t do what we’re being told to do.”

“Your health does not matter, you age does not matter. You could be totally healthy and you could die!” he added.

Perry echoes what health experts are discovering across the country, that coronavirus is killing black Americans at disproportionately higher rates.

The global death toll from coronavirus is nearing 100,000 and the virus has infected 1.5 million people, according to the World Health Organization. Meanwhile, the United States is now reporting more deaths than any other nation, except Italy, with 17,800 lives lost due to COVID-19.

As Christians around the world mark Good Friday heading into Easter weekend, many are being advised to remain at home and watch religious services online or on television.