Tyler Perry faces a new sexual assault lawsuit filed by an actor who appeared in the 2016 comedy film Boo! A Madea Halloween, deepening scrutiny of allegations that the filmmaker used his influence in Hollywood to pursue unwanted sexual contact.
The complaint was filed Thursday in California by Mario Rodriguez, who accused Perry of repeated sexual misconduct over several years, including sexual assault and sexual battery. Rodriguez is seeking at least 77 million dollars in damages and has also named Lionsgate as a defendant, alleging the studio ignored warning signs tied to Perry’s conduct.
According to the lawsuit, Rodriguez first came into contact with Perry in 2014 after a personal trainer at an Equinox gym in Los Angeles said the filmmaker wanted to speak with him about an acting opportunity. Perry later encouraged Rodriguez to audition for Boo! A Madea Halloween, telling him he would be a valuable connection in the industry, the filing said.
After Rodriguez was cast, the complaint alleges he was invited to Perry’s Los Angeles home, where Perry touched him inappropriately while the two watched a movie. The lawsuit details additional alleged encounters in 2016, 2018 and 2019, including claims that Perry attempted to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants during one meeting and placed Rodriguez’s hand on his genitals during another.
Rodriguez said he resisted the advances and alleged that Perry gave him 5,000 dollars on multiple occasions after the encounters. He claims the incidents caused lasting emotional distress.
In response to the filing, Perry’s attorney denied the accusations in a statement, saying the claims were false. Lionsgate, which distributed Boo! A Madea Halloween, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The lawsuit accuses Lionsgate of failing to intervene despite allegedly being aware of concerns about Perry’s behavior. The studio has not publicly addressed the claim.
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Rodriguez said he decided to take legal action after learning of similar allegations made by another actor, Derek Dixon. Dixon sued Perry in June, alleging the filmmaker groped him while he worked on Perry’s television series The Oval and Ruthless.
That case was initially filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and has since been transferred to federal court in Georgia, where Tyler Perry Studios is based, according to court records.
Rodriguez’s lawsuit includes claims of sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Perry has not been charged with any crime, and the allegations remain unproven.