LOS ANGELES (AP) 02400- Actor Mario Rodriguez, who appeared in the 2016 comedy thriller "Boo! A Madea Halloween," has initiated a lawsuit against Tyler Perry alleging sexual assault and unwanted sexual advances over an extended period. This marks the second recent lawsuit accusing Perry of exploiting his influential position in Hollywood to engage in inappropriate behavior. The legal action, filed in California on Thursday, also names Lionsgate, the distributing studio of the film, accusing it of disregarding Perry's alleged misconduct.
Rodriguez contends that Perry subjected him to repeated sexual battery and assault, including incidents that occurred at Perry's residence in Los Angeles. The lawsuit seeks damages totaling at least $77 million. While Lionsgate has not issued a response to inquiries, Perry's attorney has publicly denied any wrongdoing.
According to the court documents, Rodriguez was initially approached in 2014 by a personal trainer at an Equinox gym in Los Angeles who indicated that Perry wished to contact him about an acting opportunity. Perry later encouraged Rodriguez to audition for "Boo! A Madea Halloween," reportedly telling him, "I'm not a bad person to know and have in your corner."
After Rodriguez secured a role, he was invited to Perry's home, where the lawsuit states Perry touched him inappropriately while they were watching a movie. The complaint details further alleged incidents spanning 2016, 2018, and 2019, including an event where Perry allegedly tried to unbuckle Rodriguez's pants and another where Perry purportedly placed Rodriguez's hand on his genitals. Following these occurrences, Perry is alleged to have given Rodriguez $5,000 on multiple occasions.
Rodriguez claims he resisted the advances but ultimately decided to file the lawsuit after learning of similar allegations from another actor, Derek Dixon.
Dixon previously sued Perry in June, accusing him of groping while Dixon worked on Perry's television series "The Oval" and "Ruthless." Dixon's case was initially filed in Los Angeles Superior Court but has reportedly been moved to federal court in Georgia, where Perry's studio operates.
Rodriguez's lawsuit asserts claims including sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, adding to ongoing legal scrutiny of Perry and his production company.
December 26, 2025
News & Politics
Tyler Perry Faces Second Sexual Assault Lawsuit Alleging Long-Term Misconduct
Actor Mario Rodriguez alleges repeated sexual assaults by Tyler Perry, adding to mounting legal claims against the filmmaker
Marcus Reed
Transport & Logistics Analyst
Summary
Actor Mario Rodriguez has filed a lawsuit accusing Tyler Perry of sexual assault and battery over several years, marking the second lawsuit against the filmmaker alleging abuse of power within the entertainment industry. The suit also involves Lionsgate, alleging the studio ignored misconduct allegations. Perry's legal team denies the accusations.
Key Points
Actor Mario Rodriguez has filed a lawsuit accusing Tyler Perry of multiple incidents of sexual assault over several years.
The lawsuit also names Lionsgate, alleging the studio ignored Perry's alleged misconduct related to the 2016 film 'Boo! A Madea Halloween'.
Rodriguez alleges the incidents occurred at Perry's Los Angeles home and include sexual battery and unwanted sexual advances.
Perry's legal representatives have denied the accusations, while Lionsgate has not publicly responded.
Rodriguez decided to sue after learning of comparable allegations made by actor Derek Dixon against Perry.
Derek Dixon's lawsuit accuses Perry of groping during work on Perry's television series, and that case has been relocated to federal court in Georgia.
The claims include sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
These allegations contribute to increasing legal risks for Perry's entertainment enterprises, possibly affecting stakeholder confidence.
Risks
- Legal and reputational risks for Tyler Perry and his production ventures due to multiple sexual assault lawsuits.
- Potential financial liabilities from large damage claims, including the $77 million sought by Rodriguez.
- Operational risks for Lionsgate related to its association with projects linked to misconduct allegations, possibly impacting distribution partnerships.
- Industry risk concerning power dynamics in Hollywood affecting talent relations and studio reputations.
- Uncertainty over legal outcomes may affect investor confidence in the entertainment sector linked to these entities.
- Escalation of public scrutiny may lead to increased regulatory or industry reforms targeting misconduct prevention.
Disclosure
Reporter Marcus Reed confirms adherence to all factual content in the article without speculation or additional assumptions. The information provided reflects the details as presented in the legal filings and public statements related to Tyler Perry's ongoing lawsuits.