Hollywood powerhouse Tyler Perry has been hit with a $260 million lawsuit by actor Derek Dixon, who alleges a pattern of sexual harassment, assault and professional retaliation on Perry’s sets. Dixon, known for his roles in Perry’s series Ruthless and The Oval, claims Perry’s career promises masked a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic that began in late 2019 and continued until mid‑2021.
According to court documents obtained by multiple outlets, Dixon first met Perry at a studio event in Atlanta. Perry offered him a small part in Ruthless before inviting him to his home in January 2020. Dixon says he drank too much and slept in a guest room, only to wake to Perry climbing into his bed and touching his thighs. Although Dixon rejected the advance that night, he soon secured a more prominent role on The Oval. Dixon alleges that Perry began sending suggestive texts and used Dixon’s character arc as leverage.
The lawsuit describes messages such as “No straight man would be going on walks with you or cooking dinner for you unless they wanted to f**k you. I would f**k you.” Dixon says he feared losing his job if he refused Perry’s advances.Matters escalated during a second visit to Perry’s Atlanta home when Perry allegedly asked Dixon “if you like it rough in bed” then grabbed him by the throat.
The most serious incident occurred in June 2021, when Dixon claims Perry entered his guest house bedroom, yanked down his underwear, groped his buttocks and coerced him with “Relax and just let it happen.” After enduring two more years of harassment, Dixon filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in June 2024 and left The Oval. He says the end of his role cost him nearly $400,000 in earnings. His lawsuit accuses Perry and Tyler Perry Studios of quid pro quo harassment, sexual assault and battery, and seeks $260 million in damages.
Tyler Perry’s attorney Matthew Boyd dismisses the claims as “fabricated” and suggests Dixon’s true motive is financial gain. “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 in a statement.
Dixon’s lawyer Jonathan J. Delshad responded that the lawsuit “speaks for itself,” leaving the matter poised for a high‑stakes legal battle that could have major implications for one of Hollywood’s most prolific creators.