Los Angeles —* Filmmaker, actor, and media mogul Tyler Perry has been hit with a \$260 million lawsuit accusing him of years‑long sexual harassment and assault. The suit, filed by actor Derek Dixon and first reported by TMZ, alleges a pattern of unwanted advances that began after the two met at a public event in 2019.
According to court documents, Perry allegedly asked for Dixon’s phone number shortly after their introduction and quickly began contacting him in ways that “far exceeded professional limits.” Dixon later secured a minor role in Perry’s BET+ series Ruthless, but claims the situation escalated in January 2020 during a visit to Perry’s Atlanta estate.
Dixon says the visit involved heavy drinking and an invitation to stay overnight in a guest room. He alleges that Perry entered the room during the night, climbed into his bed, and touched him suggestively despite repeated objections.
The lawsuit also claims Perry continued his pursuit after Dixon rebuffed him, casting the actor as Dale in another BET+ series, The Oval, while allegedly sending unsolicited sexually explicit text messages. Screenshots included in the complaint reportedly show direct propositions and questions about Dixon’s sexual preferences; in one message, Perry allegedly suggested Dixon’s refusal was merely “performative.”
Perry—best known for his Madea franchise and a billion‑dollar production empire—has not yet publicly commented on the allegations. Representatives for the filmmaker did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The lawsuit seeks \$260 million in damages for emotional distress, lost professional opportunities, and punitive penalties.
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