Tyler Perry is being sued for $77 million for sexual assault by an actor who appeared in “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” marking the second lawsuit this year accusing the filmmaking mogul of leveraging his power in Hollywood to take advantage of young hopefuls.
Model and actor Mario Rodriguez filed the lawsuit on Christmas Day in California, alleging the billionaire subjected him to years of unwanted advances, including sexual battery and assault at Perry’s Los Angeles home. The suit also names Lionsgate Films, which distributed “A Madea Halloween,” claiming the studio knew of Perry’s alleged misconduct and turned a blind eye.
Perry, 56, has denied the accusations through his lawyer, Alex Spiro, who described the latest filing in a statement to the Daily News as a yet another “money grab” that will “fail.”
Rodriguez was credited as Frat Guy #10 in Perry’s 2016 film, the year after he says he met the mega-producer. According to the lawsuit, Rodriguez claims he was first approached by a trainer at an L.A. gym, who told him Perry wanted his number to discuss a potential acting gig.
That was followed by a phone call, in which Perry said he had a movie role for the inexperienced actor, before adding, “You know, Mario, I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner,” the lawsuit claims.
After being given his small role in the flick, Rodriguez says he was invited to Perry’s home, where the two had drinks and watched a movie. However, that quickly turned into Perry touching him inappropriately while emitting sexual sounds, according to TMZ. Uncomfortable with the interaction, Rodriguez says he left the house soon after.
Rodriguez clarifies that Perry was wholly professional during the making of “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” however that fell by the wayside after filming wrapped, he says.
The lawsuit describes additional alleged incidents between 2016 and 2019, in which Rodriguez would be invited over to Perry’s home to discuss potential projects, only for the interactions to turn sexual in nature. One encounter included Perry allegedly attempting to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants, and another in which he grabbed Rodriguez’s hand and forced it on his genitals.
The complaint claims Perry gave Rodriguez $5,000 on multiple occasions following such encounters, while apologizing for his behavior.
Rodriguez says he resisted Perry’s advances and only decided to file his lawsuit after similar allegations were made by fellow actor Derek Dixon.
Dixon, who starred in Perry’s BET shows “The Oval” and “Ruthless,” sued the Hollywood big-wig in June for $260 million, alleging he was promised professional opportunities only to be subjected to sexual harassment, assault and battery, as well as professional retaliation “when Mr. Dixon did not reciprocate Mr. Perry’s unwanted advances.”
That lawsuit, which was originally filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, has reportedly been moved to federal court in Georgia, where Perry’s studio is based.
Perry and lawyer have denied those allegations as well.
With News Wire Services
