Filmmaker and studio mogul Tyler Perry has been sued for sexual assault by an actor who appeared in the 2016 comedy Boo! A Madea Halloween, marking the second lawsuit in recent months accusing Perry of using his influence in Hollywood to pursue unwanted sexual encounters.
Mario Rodriguez filed the lawsuit on Thursday in California, alleging that Perry subjected him to repeated, unwanted sexual advances over several years. The complaint includes claims of sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Rodriguez is seeking at least $77m in damages.
The lawsuit also names Lionsgate, which distributed the film, accusing the studio of ignoring warning signs and turning a blind eye to Perry’s alleged behaviour. Lionsgate did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Perry’s lawyer denied the allegations in a statement.
According to the complaint, Rodriguez says he was first approached in 2014 by a trainer at an Equinox gym in Los Angeles, who told him Perry wanted his phone number to discuss a potential acting role. Perry later encouraged him to audition for “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” allegedly telling Rodriguez, “I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner.”
After being cast, Rodriguez claims he was invited to Perry’s Los Angeles home, where Perry allegedly touched him inappropriately while they watched a movie. The lawsuit details additional alleged incidents in 2016, 2018 and 2019, including one encounter in which Perry allegedly tried to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants and another in which he placed Rodriguez’s hand on his genitals. The complaint says Perry gave Rodriguez $5,000 on multiple occasions following the encounters.
Rodriguez says he resisted the advances and ultimately decided to come forward after learning of similar allegations by another actor, Derek Dixon.
Dixon sued Perry in June, alleging that the filmmaker groped him while he was working on Perry’s television series “The Oval” and “Ruthless.” That case, initially filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, has since been moved to federal court in Georgia, where Perry’s studio is based.
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