Tyler Perry Faces $260 Million Lawsuit Over Alleged Sexual Harassment and Assault by Actor Derek Dixon

Tyler Perry—one of the most powerful and prolific figures in American entertainment—is facing a staggering $260 million lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon, who claims the filmmaker used his influence and authority to sexually harass, assault, and professionally retaliate against him over a period of years.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on June 13, outlines a series of disturbing allegations that threaten to disrupt Perry’s carefully built reputation as a self-made media mogul and industry trailblazer.

Who Is Tyler Perry?

Perry rose from a turbulent childhood and early career struggles to become a defining force in Black media, known for his Madea franchise and the creation of Tyler Perry Studios—one of the largest production facilities in the U.S. and the first major studio solely owned by a Black individual.

He has long been praised for offering opportunities to up-and-coming Black actors, writers, and producers, especially those often overlooked by Hollywood’s traditional gatekeepers. Perry also maintains a tight grip on his productions, often writing, directing, and producing them himself.

The Allegations: A Promising Career Turned Into a Nightmare

According to the 30-page complaint obtained by PEOPLE and other media outlets, Dixon met Perry in September 2019 while working the grand opening party for Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Perry allegedly began texting Dixon shortly afterward, sometimes mixing professional talk with flirtatious or suggestive messages.

By November 2019, Dixon says he was offered a minor role on Perry’s streaming series Ruthless, which later led to a more prominent opportunity: a regular role as “Dale” on the BET drama The Oval.

But behind the scenes, Dixon claims, Perry created what the lawsuit describes as “a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic”—luring him in with promises of career advancement and then allegedly escalating to unwanted advances, physical groping, and psychological manipulation.

In one particularly disturbing claim, Dixon says that after reading the finale script for his character’s first season, he noticed the fate of “Dale” was intentionally ambiguous. Perry allegedly made it clear that if Dixon rejected his sexual innuendos, his character could be killed off.

According to the complaint, Perry told him that “Dale” would only survive “if Dixon kept Perry ‘happy.’” Dixon’s character was ultimately shot four times in the chest in that episode—a plot device he alleges was used to assert control over him.

Alleged Pattern of Assault and Retaliation

The lawsuit details multiple instances of alleged sexual assault and inappropriate touching, including:

• January 2020: Dixon says he was sexually assaulted at Perry’s home.
• Later that year: He claims Perry pinned him to the wall in his trailer and groped him after a filming session.
• October 2020: Dixon alleges he was groped again during a cast trip to the Bahamas.
• June 2021: Perry allegedly invited him to discuss producing Dixon’s pilot (Losing It) but instead assaulted him again.

Following these alleged incidents, Dixon claims he began suffering severe psychological and physical symptoms, including insomnia, nausea, stomach pain, and anxiety. In December 2020, a physician reportedly diagnosed him with acute stress and dangerously low cortisol levels. He was prescribed Zoloft and later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A Promising Project Used as Leverage?

One key element of Dixon’s complaint involves his pilot project, Losing It. Dixon claims Perry expressed interest in producing the show, but later used that interest as leverage—allegedly offering to buy the rights and fund production if Dixon continued working on The Oval under the existing dynamic.

In January 2023, Dixon says he told Perry he was moving to California to create some distance between them. Though he continued working on The Oval for a time, he ultimately walked away from the final season—a decision he claims cost him approximately $400,000 in lost income.

Legal Claims and What’s at Stake

Dixon’s lawsuit includes the following accusations:

• Quid pro quo sexual harassment
• Sexual assault and battery
• Retaliation
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress
• Negligent supervision and hiring (against Perry’s company)

He is seeking $260 million in damages and is requesting a jury trial.

If the case proceeds, it could become one of the most high-profile legal battles in Hollywood involving claims of abuse of power since the #MeToo movement began reshaping the entertainment industry’s norms and accountability structures.

Tyler Perry’s Response: “A Scam”

Perry has not personally commented on the allegations. However, his attorney, Matthew Boyd, issued a firm denial to PEOPLE, characterizing the lawsuit as an attempted shakedown.

“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,” Boyd said. “But Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”

What Happens Next?

Dixon is seeking his day in court. Whether a jury trial is granted, and whether the case makes it that far, remains to be seen. But the allegations are already sending ripples through the entertainment world, especially given Perry’s prominence as a cultural and business icon.

If the claims are substantiated, it would mark a dramatic fall for one of Hollywood’s most celebrated figures—and a potentially landmark moment for accountability in a corner of the industry many thought immune to scandal.