Tyler Perry Hit With New Sexual Assault Claim by ‘Madea’ Actor

Tyler Perry is facing a new s**** assault lawsuit from Mario Rodriguez, an actor who appeared in the film Boo! A Madea Halloween. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in California state court, claims that Perry made repeated unwanted s**** advances toward Rodriguez over several years at his Los Angeles home.

According to the complaint, one of the alleged incidents occurred in 2018, when Perry “tightly hugged” Rodriguez and “grabbed his p***.” Rodriguez is seeking at least $77 million and is suing Perry for s**** assault, s**** battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He also named Lionsgate, the distributor of Boo! A Madea Halloween, claiming the studio ignored Perry’s alleged misconduct.

Perry’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, denied the allegations. “Having recently failed in another matter against Mr. Perry, the very same lawyer has now made yet another demand from more than a decade ago which will also be a failed money grab,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.

This is the second lawsuit publicly accusing Perry of using his influence in Hollywood to assault aspiring male actors. Derek Dixon, who appeared in The Oval and Ruthless, sued Perry in June, claiming the filmmaker pinned him against a wall and groped him. Dixon’s case has since been moved to federal court in Georgia.

The lawsuit outlines how Perry allegedly contacted Rodriguez in 2014 through a gym trainer at Equinox in Los Angeles, encouraging him to audition for a role in Boo! A Madea Halloween. Perry allegedly told Rodriguez, “You know Mario, I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner.”

After being cast, Rodriguez claims he was invited to Perry’s home, where the filmmaker made unwanted s**** advances, including touching Rodriguez’s inner thigh near his genitals.

Rodriguez alleges multiple incidents over the years, including one in 2019 when Perry allegedly placed Rodriguez’s hand on his p**** while offering money in exchange for compliance. The lawsuit says Rodriguez refused the overtures and was reportedly given $5,000 on two separate occasions after declining.

Rodriguez, who has also appeared in The Family Business and works as a model, said he decided to come forward after learning of Dixon’s lawsuit. “I realized that Mr. Perry was continuing to use his power and influence to s**** assault hopeful actors and, with the voice of others, decided that it was time to tell his story, to obtain justice, and to finally stop Mr. Perry,” the complaint states.

This latest lawsuit adds to growing scrutiny of Perry’s alleged behavior in Hollywood. The case will likely bring more attention to the power dynamics between established figures in the entertainment industry and emerging actors.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!