Tyler Perry has officially become a billionaire.

The 50-year-old filmmaker has been named as Hollywood's latest member of the club after earning $1.4 billion in pre-tax income since 2005, and it's said he's currently worth $1 billion overall.

According to Forbes magazine, Tyler has earned his wealth through shrew business prowess, and he owns 100% of everything he creates from TV series and films to stage productions.

In a breakdown of his money, the publication revealed $300 million resides in cash and investments, while a further $60 million comes from his BET stake.

He recently opened his own 330-acre film studio lot, and $280 million of his wealth comes from the value of the location.

And while another $40 million is made up of his homes and personal material assets, the largest source of his fortune comes from his film and TV media rights library, which is valued at $320 million.

Meanwhile, the director - who is set to receive a special Emmy at next month's ceremony for his charitable efforts - recently credited his late mother Willie Maxine Perry for his charitable spirit.

Tyler - whose mum died aged 64 in 2009 - explained: ''That's the DNA of my mother. My mother was just such a kind woman.

''I'm thinking of her because I know that she would be smiling from heaven. So that's definitely that part of my DNA.''

The director acknowledges that some people ''just need a hand up'' in life and that ''motivation can take them a long way''.

He added: ''I realise that people aren't out there struggling because they want to. There are people that just need a hand up and that little bit of motivation can take them a long way.

''I'll never forget being in the grocery store, in Winn-Dixie in Atlanta, trying to pay for some food and couldn't pay for it.

''I was at Kroger. I couldn't pay for it. There was a woman behind me who gave me the money to get the food that I needed. Never knew her again.

''But that little act of kindness made me feel like I could go on, so that's what those moments are about for me. Just making people feel like they can go on.''