Mario Rodriguez Files $77 Million Lawsuit Against Tyler Perry Over Alleged Sexual Misconduct
Actor and model Mario Rodriguez has filed a bombshell lawsuit accusing entertainment mogul Tyler Perry of repeated unwanted sexual advances — and he’s asking for a jaw-dropping $77 MILLION in damages.
Rodriguez, who appeared in Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016) in a minor role credited as “Frat Guy #1,” says what started as a career opportunity allegedly turned into years of inappropriate behavior behind the scenes.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
According to the lawsuit, Rodriguez says he met Perry back in 2014 through a trainer at a Los Angeles gym. He claims Perry later offered him a role in Boo! A Madea Halloween — but says things allegedly took a dark turn after filming.
Rodriguez claims Perry invited him to his Los Angeles home, supposedly to talk about future acting opportunities. Instead, Rodriguez alleges that Perry made unwanted sexual advances that continued over a period of years.
In court filings, Rodriguez claims Perry allegedly:
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Touched his genitals
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Attempted to unbuckle his pants
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Placed Rodriguez’s hand on Perry’s genitals
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Rubbed his thigh and chest in a sexual, non-consensual manner
Rodriguez says he repeatedly rejected the advances.
One of the most eyebrow-raising claims in the lawsuit is that Rodriguez alleges Perry gave him $5,000 on at least two separate occasions after the alleged incidents — which Rodriguez says felt like apology money or an attempt to smooth things over.
CAREER DAMAGE & EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
The lawsuit accuses Perry of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, claiming Rodriguez’s hopes of advancing in Hollywood were allegedly leveraged against him.
Rodriguez also names Lionsgate Films in the lawsuit, claiming the studio knew or should have known about the alleged behavior and failed to intervene.
The complaint was filed in California state court, where Rodriguez says many of the alleged encounters occurred and where much of the film industry operates.
WHY IS HE COMING FORWARD NOW?
Rodriguez says he decided to speak up after learning about similar allegations made by another actor, Derek Dixon, who filed his own lawsuit against Perry earlier in 2025 seeking $260 million over claims of sexual harassment and assault.
Tyler Perry Faces Stunning $260M Sexual Assault Lawsuit from ‘The Oval’ Star
That case is still pending.
TYLER PERRY FIRES BACK
Perry’s legal team is flat-out denying the claims.
His attorneys have labeled Rodriguez’s lawsuit a “failed money grab”, calling it opportunistic and saying the accusations are tied to old grievances — not real misconduct.
So far, neither Tyler Perry nor Lionsgate has admitted wrongdoing.
As always, these are allegations — not proven facts.
