Gregory, a stylist to the likes to Perry and Viola Davis, worked on films including “Vice,” “Zola” and “All Eyez on Me.”

“Today it’s with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of one of our crew members. Mr. Charles Gregory was a hairstylist that had worked with us for many years,” Perry wrote on Instagram. “The man was warm, loving and hilarious. We all loved to see him coming and hear his laughter. Charles lost his battle with COVID-19 today. It saddens me to think of him dying this way. My sincerest prayers are with his family.”

Gregory most recently created Perry’s Colin Powell wig in “Vice,” and previously landed an Emmy nomination for his work on “Lackawanna Blues” in 2005. Perry and Gregory had previously teamed on “Madea Goes to Jail” and had continued to work closely at Tyler Perry Studios. Gregory was based in Atlanta, Georgia and launched his wig line, “The Renowned Wig Collection,” last year.

Perry added a plea, reminding black people to take the pandemic seriously.

“While everyone can contract this virus, it is black people who are dying from it in much larger numbers. This thing is real, black people. I heard a black person say, “Black people don’t get it.” That is a lie! You can get it, and you will get it if we don’t do what we’re being told to do,” Perry wrote. “Your age does not matter!! Your health does not matter. You could be totally healthy, and you could die!”

Director Ava DuVernay also offered her condolences on social media.

“God bless you and keep you in His Kingdom forever. You lit up every room you entered and every path you crossed,” she wrote on Instagram. “Thank you for your warmth and your wisdom and your wonderful spirit. Please watch over us and keep loving us. We will keep loving you and will never forget you. Your memory will be our blessing.”