When you think about the sprawling, chaotic, and often hilarious "Madea-verse," certain names just pop. Madea, obviously. Uncle Joe and his inappropriate jokes. Mr. Brown and his blindingly bright suits. But then there’s Miss Hattie. If you’ve spent any time watching the sitcoms or the later stage plays, you know that voice. It’s high-pitched, a little raspy, and usually attached to a woman who is about five seconds away from losing her mind or praising the Lord—sometimes both at once.
Honestly, it’s easy to get the characters confused because the Tyler Perry world is basically a giant family reunion where everyone is shouting. Some people think Miss Hattie is related to Madea. Others swear she replaced Aunt Bam. But there is a very specific history here that most casual viewers miss. Miss Hattie Mae Love isn't just a sidekick; she’s the anchor of her own corner of the Perry empire, specifically the long-running sitcom Love Thy Neighbor.
Who Exactly Is Miss Hattie Mae Love?
Let’s set the record straight: Miss Hattie is played by the incredibly talented Patrice Lovely.
If you see her out of costume, you might not even recognize her. In real life, Patrice is glamorous, composed, and looks nothing like the elderly, eccentric woman she portrays. But once she puts on that wig and the "old lady" clothes, she transforms. Miss Hattie is the owner of the Love Train Diner, a staple setting in the OWN series Love Thy Neighbor.
She’s a mother to Linda (played by Kendra C. Johnson) and a grandmother to Danny. Her character is defined by a "don't mess with me" attitude that rivals Madea's, though Hattie tends to be a bit more grounded in her community and her business. She’s the kind of woman who will give you a hot meal and a lecture in the same breath.
The Evolution From Stage to Screen
A lot of fans don't realize that Miss Hattie didn't start on television. She followed the classic Tyler Perry trajectory: stage play first, then the big screen, then a series.
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Patrice Lovely first brought Hattie to life in the 2011 play A Madea Christmas. She was an instant hit. Why? Because she filled a specific comedic void. While Madea is the "muscle" and Cora is the "heart," Hattie is the "wildcard." She’s unpredictable.
Key Appearances You Might Have Forgotten:
- A Madea Christmas (2011): This was her debut. She played a friend of the family, and her chemistry with Madea (Tyler Perry) was undeniable.
- I Don’t Want to Do Wrong (2012): She solidified her place as a fan favorite in this stage production.
- The Films: You’ve definitely seen her in Boo! A Madea Halloween, Boo 2!, and A Madea Family Funeral. In the movies, she’s often paired up with Aunt Bam and Joe, creating a "senior citizen squad" that provides the bulk of the slapstick comedy.
It's kinda funny how she became a mainstay. Usually, Perry characters come and go, but the audience's reaction to Hattie was so strong that she landed her own show, Love Thy Neighbor, which ran for several seasons on Oprah Winfrey’s network.
The Connection (or Lack Thereof) to Cora and Madea
There is a common misconception that Miss Hattie is a blood relative of Madea. She isn't.
While she often hangs out at Madea’s house during the holiday films, she is technically a family friend. In the "Madea-verse" lore, Madea’s daughter is Cora Simmons (played by Tamela Mann). Cora and Hattie are often in the same room, but they represent two very different archetypes of the "church lady." Cora is the sweet, singing, slightly repressed daughter. Hattie? Hattie is the one who probably has a flask in her purse and a sharp word for the usher.
Actually, the dynamic between Hattie and Uncle Joe is where the real gold is. They bicker like a divorced couple who still secretly like each other. It’s that "old school" banter that makes the movies feel authentic to anyone who grew up in a big, noisy family.
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Why Patrice Lovely's Performance Works
You’ve got to give credit where it’s due. Playing an old person when you’re young is a trope as old as theater itself, but Patrice Lovely does it with a specific physical comedy that is hard to mimic.
It’s in the way she walks—that slightly hunched, hurried shuffle. It’s the way she uses her eyes to show she’s judging everyone in the room. Most importantly, it’s the voice. That high-octave "Maaa-deeea!" call is iconic.
Interestingly, Patrice Lovely came from a background in the circus. She was a ringmaster for the UniverSoul Circus, which explains why she has such incredible stage presence and timing. You can’t command a circus ring if you don't know how to grab an audience's attention, and she brings that same "big" energy to every scene she’s in with Tyler Perry.
The Cultural Impact of the Character
Is Miss Hattie "low-brow" humor? Some critics say yes. But for the millions of people who tune in, she’s a reflection of a specific type of matriarch found in Black communities across the South.
She represents resilience. She owns her own business (the diner). She keeps her family together. She doesn't take "no" for an answer. Basically, she’s a version of everyone’s favorite (or most feared) great-aunt.
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When Love Thy Neighbor ended, there was a bit of a void. While Tyler Perry has moved on to other projects like The Oval or Sistas, fans still clamor for more Hattie. She popped up again in A Madea Family Funeral because, let's face it, you can't have a Perry "send-off" without the woman who makes the best jokes in the front row.
What to Watch to Get the Full Miss Hattie Experience:
If you're looking to binge-watch her best moments, don't just stick to the movies.
- Love Thy Neighbor (Sitcom): This is where you get the most character development. You see her as a business owner and a mother, not just a comic relief.
- Madea Gets a Job (Stage Play): Her timing here is peak.
- Boo! A Madea Halloween: If you want pure, chaotic Hattie trying to survive a "haunted" house, this is the one.
Moving Forward
If you want to keep up with the actress behind the character, keep an eye on Patrice Lovely’s social media. She’s recently branched out into more solo projects and even some directing. But for many of us, she will always be Miss Hattie—the lady with the loud voice and the even louder heart.
To truly appreciate the character, go back and watch her debut in the stage play version of A Madea Christmas. Pay attention to how she interacts with the audience. That’s the "expert" level of performance that turned a one-off character into a household name.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out Patrice Lovely's sitcom "Ma's House": She continues her comedic streak there, often playing multiple characters.
- Revisit the "Love Thy Neighbor" archives: Many episodes are available on streaming platforms like BET+ or Discovery+.
- Look for her gospel music: Many people don't know Patrice is a powerhouse singer in her own right, separate from the character's comedic warbling.