Tyler Perry has been accused of sexual harassment, assault and workplace retaliation in a civil lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Dixon, who appeared on Perry's series The Oval in the US, is seeking $260 million in punitive damages. The lawsuit claims Perry subjected Dixon to a pattern of unwanted sexual advances, coercion, and threats to his employment if he did not comply.
According to court documents, Dixon alleges that he first met Perry while working event staff at a party hosted by the media mogul. He was later cast in Perry’s series Ruthless in 2019, followed by a larger role on The Oval.
Dixon claims that Perry sent him unsolicited, sexually suggestive text messages and that the behaviour escalated into physical assault on two separate occasions, including an alleged incident at Perry’s home. The lawsuit states that Perry attempted to use his power to manipulate Dixon’s position on the show, allegedly warning that his character could be written out if he didn’t reciprocate Perry’s advances.
Perry has not publicly commented on the claims, but his lawyer, Matthew Boyd, strongly denied the allegations.
"This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than a scam," Boyd said in a statement. "Tyler Perry will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail."
Perry, known globally for his Madea film series and numerous television projects, is one of the most influential figures in American entertainment. Forbes has estimated his net worth at $1.4 billion.
The case is currently at the civil complaint stage, and no criminal charges have been filed.
