Filmmaker and entertainment mogul Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon, who accuses Perry of sexual assault, harassment, and professional retaliation related to work on the television shows The Oval and Ruthless, as reported by Fox News.
The lawsuit was filed on June 13 and includes multiple allegations stemming from Perry’s reported behavior during and after casting Dixon in recurring roles.
Dixon portrayed the character “Dale” on The Oval and claims Perry created “a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic” after promising career advancement and creative opportunities.
Tyler Perry has been accused of sexual assault by Derek Dixon, who stars in Perry’s show ‘The Oval.’ (via TMZ) pic.twitter.com/xtmj9gwhs4
— Pop Base (@PopBase) June 17, 2025
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According to the complaint, obtained by Fox News Digital, Dixon met Perry in September 2019 during the opening of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.
Two months later, Perry allegedly offered Dixon a role in Ruthless, describing it as a life-changing opportunity. Dixon said that following his casting, Perry began calling and texting him frequently, allegedly asking for “attention.”
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The actor alleges the first incident of sexual assault took place in January 2020. The following month, he was reportedly made a series regular on The Oval. Dixon claims Perry threatened the survival of his character if he did not respond favorably to Perry’s behavior.
The complaint states, “Mr. Perry made it clear to Dixon that if Dixon ignored Perry or failed to engage with the sexual innuendos, Dixon’s character would ‘die’ in the next season.”
According to the lawsuit, the character Dale was shot four times in the chest at the end of the season, a storyline Dixon says was used as leverage.
Dixon claims another incident occurred in Perry’s trailer after filming the scene. He alleges a separate assault happened in October 2020 during a cast trip to the Bahamas.
He later visited a doctor in December 2020 and was diagnosed with acute stress and low cortisol levels, reportedly linked to the ongoing harassment.
The complaint also details a 2021 meeting at Perry’s home to discuss a pilot Dixon had written, Losing It, which Perry had previously expressed interest in producing.
Dixon claims Perry assaulted him again during that meeting. Following the alleged assaults, Dixon states he was diagnosed with PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and was prescribed Zoloft.
Dixon alleges Perry sent intermediaries to offer a pay raise and to buy rights to Losing It in exchange for continued participation on The Oval. Dixon remained on the series through the final season and estimates the situation cost him nearly $400,000.
The lawsuit names causes of action including sexual assault, sexual battery, quid pro quo sexual harassment, emotional distress, and retaliation. Dixon is seeking a jury trial and $260 million in damages.
In response, attorney Matthew Boyd, representing Perry and TPS Production Services, told Fox News Digital:
“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam. But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
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