Actor Mario Rodriguez has filed a lawsuit accusing Tyler Perry of sexual harassment and assault, claims Perry’s lawyer strongly denies.
Tyler Perry is facing new legal trouble after an actor who appeared in his 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween filed a lawsuit accusing the filmmaker of sexual harassment and assault.
According to court documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Mario Rodriguez claims Perry made unwanted sexual advances toward him over several years. Rodriguez alleges the incidents took place at Perry’s Los Angeles home and began after the two met in 2015.
Rodriguez, who played a small role credited as “Frat Guy #10” in Boo! A Madea Halloween, says the alleged behavior escalated over time. One incident described in the complaint reportedly occurred in 2018, when Rodriguez claims Perry tightly hugged him and grabbed his genitals without consent. Another alleged encounter took place in Perry’s home screening room, where Rodriguez says Perry rubbed his inner thigh close to his penis while telling him, “It’s ok.”
The lawsuit accuses Perry of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Rodriguez is seeking at least $77 million in damages. He has also named Lionsgate, the distributor of Boo! A Madea Halloween, as a defendant, claiming the company ignored Perry’s alleged behavior.
Rodriguez says he cut off contact with Perry in 2019 but claims the filmmaker continued reaching out to him occasionally after that. The lawsuit states that Rodriguez decided to come forward after reading about another sexual misconduct lawsuit filed against Perry earlier this year.
That earlier case was brought by actor Derek Dixon, who appeared in Perry’s BET series The Oval. Dixon accused Perry of sexual harassment and assault, alleging that Perry grabbed his buttocks while intoxicated during a stay at Perry’s guesthouse in 2021. Dixon also cited alleged text messages containing repeated sexual comments and advances. He is seeking at least $260 million in punitive damages.
Perry has strongly denied all allegations. His attorney, Alex Spiro, dismissed Rodriguez’s lawsuit as an attempt to gain money. In a statement shared with Variety, Spiro said the claims were “a failed money grab” and pointed out that the same lawyer represents both Rodriguez and Dixon.
That lawyer, Jonathan Delshad, pushed back, saying his client is prepared to let a jury decide the truth. Delshad claims there are numerous text messages between Perry and Rodriguez that support the allegations.
Rodriguez’s complaint states that he felt compelled to speak out after realizing Perry allegedly continued using his power and influence over aspiring actors. The lawsuit also claims Perry reached out to Rodriguez once he learned about the filing, expressing feelings of betrayal.
Perry has not commented personally on the allegations. Both lawsuits remain ongoing, and no court rulings have yet been made.
