Kerry Washington Says She Was 'Done Acting' Before Tyler Perry Cast Her

Kerry Washington extended gratitude to her friend, director Tyler Perry, while on The Breakfast Club this week.

Washington starred in two Perry-directed films, the 2010 drama For Colored Girls and last year's The Six Triple Eight. The entertainment mogul also gave a speech at Washington's Hollywood Walk of Fame induction.

But the former Scandal star said she nearly gave up acting before Perry intervened.

Around the 15-minute mark of the video below, the actress shared why it was important for her to mention Perry in her Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture acceptance speech last month. But Washington admitted that she "blacked out" and initially didn't realize that she thanked him.

"I think because Tyler's been such a support for me throughout my career," she said. "At a time earlier in my career where I was like, 'I'm done acting. I don't think I want to do this anymore'—he called me to be in For Colored Girls."

Washington called it a "beautiful film," which co-starred her "heroes" Whoopi Goldberg, Janet Jackson, and Phylicia Rashad.

"He's been there for me even when I've struggled in my career with paparazzi and fame, he's provided safe spaces for me," Washington said of Perry. "He's a confidant, he's an adviser, he's a real friend."

Earlier this year, Washington told Tudum that she thought the peak of her acting career would be Broadway before Perry contacted her about For Colored Girls.

"I was doing a play on Broadway—and I loved the stage, and I loved this experience—but I was like, 'This is it,'" she told the outlet. "Growing up in New York, my dream [was] to be on Broadway. [I thought] 'I’m here.' This is the mic drop moment when I now pivot and transition to something else."