Perry has denied the allegations from Mario Rodriguez, who appeared in “Boo! A Madea Halloween.”

Tyler Perry accused of sexual assault in second lawsuit, from actor in Madea movie

Perry has denied the allegations from Mario Rodriguez, who appeared in "Boo! A Madea Halloween."

By Sydney Bucksbaum

Sydney Bucksbaum

Sydney Bucksbaum is a staff writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2019 and is a published author. Her work has previously appeared in *TV Guide Magazine*, E! News/E! Online, *The Hollywood Reporter*, Mashable, Bustle, IGN, DCComics.com, Inverse, *The Daily Northwestern*, and more.

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December 26, 2025 8:01 p.m. ET

Tyler Perry in 2024. Credit:

Emma McIntyre/Getty

Filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry has been hit with a second lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault.

Mario Rodriguez, a model who landed a small role in Perry's 2016 movie *Boo! A Madea Halloween*, filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking $77 million in damages for his claims that Perry sexually assaulted him and made unwanted physical advances while promising him roles.

In a complaint reviewed by **, Rodriguez accuses Perry of using his power in the film industry to abuse him on multiple occasions, and also alleges that Lionsgate, the company that distributes Perry's films, had "actual knowledge of unlawful conduct and the ability to intervene but failed to act."

Rodriguez is represented by Jonathan J. Delshad, the same attorney representing Derek Dixon, another actor who sued Perry, 56, for $260 million in June based on allegations of sexual misconduct. (Dixon's lawsuit was originally filed in California state court but has since been moved to federal court in Georgia. Perry has denied all the claims against him in that lawsuit.)

Mario Rodriguez at the 'Gemini Man' premiere in 2019.

Rob Latour/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Perry's attorney Alex Spiro provided a statement to EW on Friday slamming the new lawsuit as a "money grab."

"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.

Delshad said in a statement to EW, "Unfortunately, statements like those made by Perry's attorneys do nothing but enable Mr. Perry to continue to victimize people like Mr. Rodriguez. My client looks forward to a jury's determination of what happened."

Representatives for Lionsgate didn't immediately respond to EW's request for comment on the lawsuit.**

Rodriguez's complaint claims that he was approached by a trainer while working out in a Los Angeles gym in 2015 who told him that Perry wanted to meet him to discuss a role in one of his films. Rodriguez alleges in the complaint that he spoke with Perry first over the phone that same day, which is when he was offered the small part in the *Madea Halloween* film. Rodriguez would eventually play Frat Guy #10.

Cassi Davis, Tyler Perry, and Patrice Lovely in 'Boo! A Madea Halloween'.

Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate

"You know Mario, I'm not a bad person to know and have in your corner," Rodriguez claims Perry told him while discussing the role of "a very good-looking college student."

In the complaint, Rodriguez alleges that he was invited to Perry's L.A. home alone a few weeks later to have drinks and watch a movie in the mogul's theater. Rodriguez claims that Perry initiated a hug and began massaging his shoulders and chest while allegedly making "sexual grunting sounds."

Rodriguez claims that he attempted to stop Perry by stepping away to sit back down, but Perry allegedly "then put his hand on Mr. Rodriguez's leg and began rubbing his inner thigh right next to his penis. Mr. Perry told Mr. Rodriguez 'It's ok,' while he continued to rub his thigh."

The complaint alleges that Rodriguez left to use the restroom, walking out of the room, but "Perry persisted," telling Rodriguez, "just relax," "stop being so tense," "man, if you would just come, I would take care of you for the rest of your life and you wouldn't have to worry about anything," and "I know you'll come around."

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Rodriguez claims he "repeatedly tried to play off Mr. Perry’s comments as a joke, and he tried to change the subject to work. But Mr. Perry continued to make similar sexual comments," so he left and went home.**

While Rodriguez says Perry "did not sexually assault or attack" him on set while filming *Boo! A Madea Halloween*, the complaint claims that the unwanted advances continued in multiple instances at Perry's home and out to dinner, including when Rodriguez claims Perry asked him, "Are you going to give in?" and attempted to unbuckle his pants.

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Rodriguez claims he rejected Perry multiple times, and therefore was never offered additional roles previously promised to him. He also alleges that Perry "stuffed $5,000" into his pocket after being rejected on multiple occasions.**

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