Second Actor Files Explosive Sexual Assault Claim Against Tyler Perry
Second Actor Levels Sexual Assault Claims Against Tyler Perry
A second actor has filed a explosive lawsuit accusing Tyler Perry of sexual assault, alleging the Hollywood powerhouse exploited his influence for unwanted advances. Mario Rodriguez, known for his role in "Boo! A Madea Halloween," claims Perry subjected him to repeated sexual battery and assault over several years, including incidents at Perry's Los Angeles home. Filed Thursday in California, the suit demands at least $77 million in damages, marking the latest blow to Perry's empire amid rising #MeToo scrutiny in entertainment.
Details of the Allegations Emerge
Rodriguez details a pattern of abuse, asserting Perry leveraged his studio mogul status to coerce intimacy during and after film production. This follows another recent suit echoing similar power imbalance themes, where accusers say Perry's dominance silenced victims. The claims spotlight vulnerabilities on sets like Tyler Perry Studios, urging industry reforms for safer environments and swift accountability.
Implications for Hollywood's Power Players
As lawsuits mount, Perry's legacy faces intense pressure, potentially reshaping his Madea franchise and business ventures. Legal battles could expose deeper Hollywood issues, prompting calls for better oversight. Rodriguez's bold action empowers others, signaling no figure is untouchable in the fight against workplace harassment.
About the Organizations Mentioned
Tyler Perry Studios
**Tyler Perry Studios** is a premier film and television production facility in Atlanta, owned outright by Tyler Perry, specializing in movies, TV series, and large-scale shoots with 12 soundstages, backlots, a water tank, and 330 acres of space.[1][2][3][6] Founded in 2006 as Very Perry Productions (later rebranded), it evolved from Perry's stage plays featuring Madea, expanding into hits like *House of Payne*, *Meet the Browns*, and films via Lionsgate partnerships.[1][7] Perry acquired early spaces in 2008, including Delta Air Lines buildings, but scaled up dramatically in 2015 by purchasing the historic 330-acre former Fort McPherson Army base for $30 million, investing over $250 million in renovations.[3][5][6] This Civil War-era site, once a hospital and POW camp, preserves 40 National Registry buildings while hosting modern productions.[3] The 2019 grand opening marked a milestone: Perry became the **first African American to fully own and operate a major U.S. studio**, surpassing combined sizes of Paramount, Warner Bros., and Disney's Burbank lots.[1][2][4][5] Soundstages, named for Black icons like Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, and Sidney Poitier, hosted blockbusters including *Black Panther*, *The Walking Dead*, *First Man*, and Perry's *Boo! A Madea Halloween*.[1][2] Today, it thrives as the East Coast's only major studio, drawing diverse projects and boosting Atlanta's economy through jobs and development.[3][5] Perry's self-designed complex—envisioning architecture over entertainment—empowers creative control, Black storytelling, and industry innovation, cementing his mogul status.[2] (Word count: 298)
