On December 25, 2025, Mario Rodriguez — an actor who appeared in Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween — filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court accusing Perry of multiple instances of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, seeking at least $77 million in damages.
This lawsuit adds to ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding Perry, the Atlanta-based filmmaker and billionaire media mogul known for the Madea franchise and Tyler Perry Studios. Earlier in 2025, another actor — Derek Dixon — sued Perry alleging sexual harassment and assault tied to his productions, including The Oval and Ruthless.
Rodriguez’s complaint alleges repeated episodes of unwanted sexual contact and coercion connected to Perry’s influence, with specific instances cited between 2014 and 2019. It names production company Lionsgate as a defendant, accusing it of turning a blind eye to Perry’s conduct — a significant addition in corporate exposure.
Text message evidence made public shows Rodriguez and Perry remained in contact years after the events in question — including friendly, supportive exchanges as recently as August 2025 — a factor Rodriguez says reflects complex abuse dynamics rather than inconsistency in his claims.
Perry’s legal team, led by attorney Alex Spiro, called the lawsuit a “money grab scam” and denied all allegations.
