Alretha Thomas. Actress: Tyler Perry's Assisted Living. An award-winning author, playwright, director, producer, and actress, Alretha Thomas's background is as diverse as her personality. She started at the age of ten, when her 5th grade teacher picked and read her short story assignment in front of the class-that simple, loving act empowered a new writer. Continuing in high school, her numerous original oratorical conquests on the Speech Team led her...