Tyler Perry, the powerhouse filmmaker and founder of Tyler Perry Studios here in Atlanta, has been hit with a new lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and battery.

The complaint, filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court by actor Mario Rodriguez, who had a small role in Perry’s 2016 comedy Boo! A Madea Halloween, seeks at least $7.7 million in damages.

Actor in ‘Boo! A Madea Halloween’ Sues Tyler Perry

According to the lawsuit, Rodriguez first connected with Perry in 2015 after a trainer at an Equinox gym in Los Angeles passed along his phone number, saying Perry wanted to discuss acting opportunities.

Perry allegedly encouraged Rodriguez to audition for Boo! A Madea Halloween, telling him, “I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner.” Rodriguez landed a minor part as “Frat Guy #10” in the Lionsgate-distributed film.

The suit claims that after filming began, Perry made repeated unwanted sexual advances over several years, including at his Los Angeles home. Specific allegations include inappropriate touching while watching a movie, attempting to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants, and placing the actor’s hand on Perry’s genitals.

The complaint also states that Perry provided Rodriguez with $5,000 on multiple occasions following these encounters.

Rodriguez alleges he resisted the advances and eventually cut contact in 2019, though Perry periodically reached out afterward.

Rodriguez is pursuing claims of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The lawsuit also names Lionsgate, accusing the studio of ignoring Perry’s alleged misconduct during the production and distribution of the film.

This marks the second recent legal challenge for Perry involving similar accusations. In June 2025, actor Derek Dixon, who appeared in Perry’s BET series The Oval, filed a separate lawsuit claiming sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation, seeking over $260 million.

That case, originally filed in California, has since moved to federal court in Georgia, where Perry’s massive Atlanta studio complex is located. Both Rodriguez and Dixon are represented by the same attorney, Jonathan Delshad.

A representative for Perry strongly denied the allegations in a statement, calling the new lawsuit a “failed money grab” and noting the shared legal counsel with the prior case.

Lionsgate did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Perry, one of Atlanta’s most prominent entertainment figures, has built an empire with his studio in the city, creating thousands of jobs and boosting Georgia’s film industry for years.

Final Word

No criminal charges have been filed in either matter, and both cases remain ongoing.

This story is developing, and we’ll continue to follow updates as they become available.