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Tyler Perry: 25 Things You Don’t Know About Me (‘I’m a Germophobe’)

Tyler Perry
Patricia Schlein/Star Max/GC Images

Madea is back! Tyler Perry’s alter ego spends Halloween fending off ghosts, ghouls and zombies — and shrieking “Help me, Jesus!” — in his new flick, Boo! A Madea Halloween (in theaters October 21).

The Atlanta-based filmmaker, 47, scared up 25 interesting facts about himself exclusively for Us Weekly!

1. I’d rather be at home on the porch with my dogs [a German shepherd, three huskies and three Yorkies] than on a red carpet.

2. I sang “Play That Funky Music” onstage one night with Prince.

3. I’m an introvert.

4. I had a private tour of Air Force One.

5. I went to seminary school for a semester.

Related: PHOTOS: Stars — They're Just Like Us!

6. I’m allergic to small-minded people.

7. I have been trying to learn to swim for years.

8. My favorite pastime is flying radio-controlled planes.

9. I spent the summers with my grandmother in rural Louisiana, working in the fields.

10. I have a fear of tubes and tunnels. Going through any tunnel causes me great anxiety.

11. I’m a germophobe.

12. I was a minister in my church.

13. I tried marijuana for the first time at age 40 and never did it again.

14. I’m a huge loner.

Related: PHOTOS: This 'Sexy Undecided Voter' Halloween 2016 Costume and 9 More Have Us Face-Palming

15. I gave up being a pilot after my son [Aman, 22 months, with model Gelila Bekele, 30] was born. To be good at it, you have to fly a lot, and I couldn’t find the time.

16. I pray every day.

17. I love country music. Tim McGraw is my favorite.

18. I don’t know who my biological father is.

19. I am an architect at heart. I designed every home I’ve every had, plus my studio.

Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween
Daniel McFadden

20. I’d rather live in a town where there are more trees than people.

21. I love Barry Manilow’s music, and he’s a fan of my OWN show, The Haves and the Have Nots.

22. I’ve been trying to learn to ski for years, but there’s something about being 6-foot-5 and falling that’s not appealing.

23. The best gift to give me is a handwritten letter.

Related: PHOTOS: 'Today' Show Halloween Costumes Through the Years!

24. I love to prank new employees. I’ve got to stop before someone ends up in tears.

25. Seven years after my mother’s passing, I still reach for the phone for a split second to call her. We spoke every day.

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