Call him a guilty pleasure, but Mr. Brown brings the funny. Whether he invents words such as “modtler” (for those of you not hooked on Brown-phonics that means “model”) or assumes a pseudo-martial arts stance, Mr. Brown’s gut-busting antics have made him a patriarch of Tyler Perry stage productions. Thanks to the kinetic energy and off-color animations of actor David Mann, Madea’s madness is finally equally yolked. This month, the Dallas native’s zany alter ego finally makes his silver screen debut. Essence.com caught up with Mann to discuss the method to his madness, the woman who made him a stalker and Mr. Brown’s political incorrectness. 



Essence.com: You’ve become a staple in Tyler Perry’s plays as the infamous and zany Mr. Brown also of Meet the Browns. Recently, Mr. Brown was acting up in the play What Happens in the Dark, what is your character’s appeal?
David Mann: At this point, the great appeal with the Tyler Perry series is because we see a bit of ourselves. You see that Mr. Brown in your family. We all have that crazy aunt or uncle who is that over-the-top religious person. I believe that’s the appeal of all of Tyler Perry’s plays.



Essence.com: So how much direction did Tyler give you on developing Mr. Brown?


D.M.: Honestly, I’ve developed my character from the personalities of my aunts, uncles and grandparents. Most of the times the cast has no idea what I’m going to do when I walk on that stage because I don’t do dress rehearsals. So when they are laughing they are really laughing and seeing it for the first time. I don’t even know what I’m going to say half of the time. I just roll with it. One time I came out with a weird toupe and it threw everyone off including Tyler and Tamala. 



Essence.com: In What Happens in the Dark, Mr. Brown introduces some of his new vocabulary and I need you to explain what is a “gospel gangster?”


D.M.: That’s somebody who loves the Lord and don’t mind getting ‘bout it with you. You know, like one of the old mothers in the church who will go off on you and then turn around and say, “Baby, God is good.” 



Essence.com: Do you have any family members who have called you out because they recognize some of their mannerisms or personality traits in Mr. Brown?


D.M.: Well, my mom’s family is large—nine girls and five boys. I had easy pickings, but I know I’m going to get in trouble when the movie comes out because I said one of my aunts’ names. After I said it, I told myself, She is going to kill me! Her name isn’t used in a good light. I’m just waiting for the phone call. 



Essence.com: Ohmigoodness! In what context did you say her name? 


D.M.: In the movie the brother is explaining that my father was a pimp so a lot of the girls he dated were hoes. Then we all start asking about different women in his life and I call out, “Tommy Lee,” which is one of my aunts’ names. Then the guy says, “She was a hoe too!” And I thought, Ohmigod this is not going to be good! I don’t know why I said it, I just couldn’t think of another name. 



Essence.com: (Laughs) No it’s not a good look for you and you’re aunt is definitely coming for you. What will you tell her?


D.M.: (Laughs) I’m gonna tell her it was Mr. Brown, not me!



Essence.com: Well, you and your wife Tamala have worked together for years including as members of Kirk Franklin’s the family. 


D.M.: We met when we were about 18 or 19 through one of Tamala’s best friends. One day, we were singing around the piano and her friend said, “I have a friend who can out sing all of y’all.” So she brought Tamala to school and man she could out sing all of us. We developed a friendship and we started to spend so much time together then one day I kissed her and we fell in love and have been together ever since. We got married when we were 21, have four kids—21, 20,19, 17 and one adoptive daughter who’s 34, my wife’s niece, who we raised after her sister died. When we got married we had a 14-year-old to raise. So, we’ve been grown a long time. 



Essence.com: That’s amazing. How is it working with your wife and then having her play your daughter in Meet the Browns.


D.M.: I love it because we’ve been married for 20 years. Since we’ve started in this industry together, it’s all that we know. It’s hard to imagine us not working together, we have each other on the road and it keeps everything balanced for us. We always explain to people we genuinely enjoy each other’s company. I would rather be with her than hang out with anybody else. I go to the game with the fellas and I’d rather go to the game with her. I joke with my wife all the time and tell her I’m obsessed with her and that I’m a stalker (laughs).



Essence.com: Awww Black love. Okay so when are you two writing your relationship book and making sweet music together?


D.M.: Soon, it’s called A Biblical Marriage in a Practical World. We are working on a marriage ministry. And we’re definitely doing an album together but we don’t have a title yet.



Essence.com: Congrats to you both. Now, back to Mr. Brown and his antics Are you ever concerned that some critics think your acting is simply shucking and jiving?


D.M.: Yeah I’ve heard that, but you’re not going to please everybody. I also know I have to be careful of that I know that there is a fine line between a good comedian and a buffoon so I’m mindful of it, but I don’t like it to dictate how I do things. Mr. Brown is not politically correct and neither is Madea. And when you think about it neither are a majority of folks. Think about it your southern grandmother who answers the phone and tries to start talking extra proper without sounding southern when she’s talking to certain folk and you’re thinking, Why in the world is she talking like that? Now, that ain’t right! 



Essence.com: When is Meet the Browns the television show scheduled to air? 


D.M.: Next fall. We already shot the first 10 episodes. I’ve done a lot of stage, but this is my film debut. I was very nervous because I’m Mr. Brown, head of the Browns, but Tyler told me to just do my thing. I was more comfortable taping the television show because I like the energy of a live audience. 



Essence.com: So how was it working with Angela Bassett and Jenifer Lewis?


D.M.: Jenifer Lewis? I love working with her because she is off the chain. I kept thinking, This is going to be wild and about to get out of hand with the two of us on set! She just brings energy into a room. Angela brought a quiet strength and was very helpful with tips. It was a good experience. 



Essence.com: You’re building an impressive body of work. What do you hope you’re legacy will be?


D.M.: As far my person and body of work me I hope folks will see the integrity and know that what you see is what you get. I’m not doing this for Hollywood. I genuinely love the lord and seeing people happy. I’m truly a worshipper and that’s who I am.

Photo Credit: Lester Cohen/Wire Image