Tyler Perry is being sued for $77 million over allegations of sexual battery by an actor who appeared in Boo! A Madea Halloween and claims the filmmaker made repeated unwanted sexual advances.
According to a lawsuit filed in California state court on Christmas Day, Mario Rodriguez accused Perry of inappropriate behavior, including an alleged incident in 2018 where Perry “tightly hugged” him and “grabbed his penis.”
Rodriguez, who had a small role in Boo! A Madea Halloween as “Frat Guy #10,” stated in the filing that he was first contacted by a trainer at a Los Angeles gym who said Perry wanted to meet him. Rodriguez said he was later offered the role.
The actor alleged that on multiple occasions, Perry made sexual advances while drinking at his home, where they were supposedly discussing potential future projects. Rodriguez claimed that after Perry allegedly grabbed his penis, he told him to stop and had to “physically struggle to get away.”
According to the lawsuit, Perry allegedly urged him to “let it happen” and said, “If you were to just be with me, I would take care of you…”
Rodriguez further claimed that after two alleged incidents, Perry apologized, gave him $5,000, and “sent him away.”
Following another alleged encounter in 2019, Rodriguez said Perry continued to “randomly reach out” to him as recently as 2024. He also alleged that Perry contacted him after learning Rodriguez planned to file a motion, claiming he had “done so much to help Rodriguez” and felt “betrayed.”
Rodriguez is seeking $77 million in damages and is represented by attorney Jonathan J. Delshad, who previously represented actor Derek Dixon in similar allegations made against Perry earlier this year.
Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, responded to the lawsuit with a statement.
“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,” Spiro said.
On Dec. 13, Rodriguez shared a video on Instagram saying he was “scared and ashamed” while dealing with a “powerful director that everybody knows.”
He added that he remained silent for far too long, expressing regret over not speaking up sooner.
“I stayed quiet for much too long. And I just want to say I’m really sorry, man. Because if I would’ve spoken up sooner I could’ve saved somebody that this probably happened to after me,” he said. “I just want to say sorry for that, whoever that may be. It could’ve stopped with me if I would’ve said something. … But I’m speaking up now.”
