Hollywood Power Play: Actor Sues Tyler Perry for Alleged Misconduct

Mario Rodriguez, an actor who appeared in Tyler Perry's 2016 film "Boo! A Madea Halloween", has filed a lawsuit against Perry, seeking $77 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Allegations and Incidents

Rodriguez claims that Perry first approached him in 2014 through a gym trainer, offering him an acting role. After being cast, Rodriguez was invited to Perry's home, where he alleges that Perry touched him inappropriately. The lawsuit details several incidents between 2016 and 2019, including:

• Perry allegedly tried to unbuckle Rodriguez's pants.
• Perry allegedly placed Rodriguez's hand on his genitals.
• Perry gave Rodriguez $5,000 on multiple occasions following these encounters.

Studio Liability

The lawsuit also names Lionsgate, the studio that distributed the film, for allegedly ignoring Perry's misconduct. Lionsgate has not yet responded to these allegations, while Perry's lawyer has denied them.

Previous Allegations

This is not the first time Perry has faced such allegations. Earlier this year, another actor, Derek Dixon, sued Perry for similar reasons. Dixon's case, which alleges that Perry groped him while working on Perry's TV shows "The Oval" and "Ruthless", has since been moved to a federal court in Georgia, where Perry's studio is based.

Industry Implications

This lawsuit raises serious questions about power dynamics in Hollywood and the responsibilities of studios in preventing and addressing misconduct. It also highlights the courage it takes for actors to speak out against powerful figures in the industry.