Tyler Perry is confronting another major legal challenge as actor Mario Rodriguez filed a civil lawsuit Thursday in California state court seeking $77 million in damages. Rodriguez, who appeared in Perry’s 2016 comedy Boo! A Madea Halloween, alleges the filmmaker made repeated unwanted sexual advances over several years. The complaint includes charges of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, marking the second such lawsuit against Perry in 2025.
According to the filing, the alleged misconduct began during career discussions and continued through multiple interactions at Perry’s Los Angeles residence. Rodriguez claims Perry subjected him to inappropriate physical contact and advances during meetings that were supposedly about acting opportunities. The lawsuit also names Lionsgate, the film’s distributor, alleging the studio ignored signs of misconduct during production and distribution.
Perry’s legal team has categorically denied the allegations, with his attorney describing the lawsuit as unfounded and financially motivated. Neither Perry nor Lionsgate had issued detailed public statements at the time of reporting. This case follows a June lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon seeking $260 million, alleging similar misconduct tied to Perry’s television series The Oval and Ruthless, which Perry’s attorneys also rejected as fabricated.
The dual lawsuits arrive during heightened scrutiny of power dynamics in Hollywood and contribute to ongoing discussions about accountability in entertainment. Neither case has proceeded to trial, and no criminal charges have been filed in either instance. The significant monetary damages sought—totaling over $330 million between both cases—and the involvement of major industry players like Lionsgate have elevated public interest and legal attention surrounding Perry’s career and reputation.