Tyler Perry is facing a $77 million lawsuit from actor Mario Rodriguez, who alleges the filmmaker sexually assaulted him over several years.
Rodriguez, who appeared in Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween, filed the suit in California on Thursday against Perry and Lionsgate.
Rodriguez claims Perry, 56, made sexual advances in 2018, per court documents obtained by Page Six.
He alleges that after meeting Perry at an Equinox gym in 2015, he was invited to dinner at Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills to discuss a role in Perry’s series The Oval. Rodriguez says Perry later invited him to his home, where Perry allegedly touched him inappropriately, made sexual noises, and pressed his body against Rodriguez.
After escaping, Rodriguez claims Perry apologised and gave him $5,000.
Rodriguez also alleges a 2019 incident in which Perry grabbed his hand and moved it to his private area. Perry allegedly promised financial security if Rodriguez complied. Another $5,000 was allegedly paid after Rodriguez refused.
The lawsuit claims Lionsgate was “aware” of Perry’s behaviour but continued funding his projects without any intervention.
Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, dismissed the claims as a “failed money grab.” He also pointed out a prior lawsuit filed by the same lawyer.
The new allegations follow a separate $260 million lawsuit filed by Derek Dixon, a former actor on The Oval, who accused Perry of sexual advances and harassment starting in 2020.
Perry’s team previously labeled Dixon’s claims a “scam,” but Dixon reaffirmed his allegations in a September interview with ABC News, stating he had made it clear he was not interested in a sexual relationship with Perry.