Tyler Perry Hit with $260 Million Assault Lawsuit by ‘The Oval’ Actor

Media mogul Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon, who alleges years of sexual harassment and abuse while working on two of Perry’s television series. Perry has denied the accusations.

Dixon, who portrayed the character “Dale” in The Oval and Ruthless, filed the lawsuit in California on June 13. He accuses Perry of using his powerful industry influence to coerce him into enduring repeated sexual advances. While Perry has previously faced allegations of misconduct, Dixon’s lawsuit includes what he claims are explicit text messages from Perry as evidence.

First reported by TMZ on June 17, the 46-page legal filing outlines numerous alleged instances of sexual harassment and workplace gender-based violence.

According to Dixon, the harassment began in September 2019 when he met Perry at the grand opening of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Dixon was working the event through Legendary Events, owned by Tony Conway, a close associate of Perry. He claims Conway specifically assigned him to work closely with the director.

That evening, Perry allegedly asked for Dixon’s phone number and later called to formally introduce himself, promising to support Dixon’s acting career with roles on his shows.

Dixon alleges that this promise quickly turned into a pattern of unwanted sexual attention and coercive behavior. He says the harassment escalated after Perry invited him to his private residence within the Tyler Perry Studios compound in January 2020. The first physical assault allegedly occurred there.

As the COVID-19 lockdowns began in March 2020, Dixon says Perry asked him to move into housing on the studio grounds. It was during this time, according to the complaint, that the abuse intensified.

Dixon claims Perry took inappropriate photos of him on set, including images of his buttocks, which were later sent to him along with critical comments about his weight. When Dixon began ignoring Perry’s frequent messages, he says Perry hinted that his character might be written off the show.

Fearing the loss of his job and financial instability, Dixon says he gave in to Perry’s demands despite identifying as asexual. Perry allegedly urged him to seek therapy to work through his issues and continued to inquire about his sexual preferences.

In one message cited in the lawsuit, Perry allegedly described himself as a “power top” and referenced the size of his genitals. Dixon also claims Perry reacted angrily to a seemingly neutral text response to a photo Perry sent of himself at a private retreat in the Bahamas.

When Dixon later told Perry he planned to move to Santa Monica to create distance, Perry allegedly responded by advising him to be more assertive with wealthy men who proposition him. The lawsuit includes messages in which Perry seemingly blames Dixon for not resisting alleged advances.

Despite the ongoing tension, Dixon says his character survived a near-death storyline—being shot four times—in The Oval, and returned for another season. He alleges this was a result of his compliance with Perry’s demands.

Perry’s legal representative, Matthew Boyd, dismissed the lawsuit as a “fabricated shakedown,” stating the claims are “completely false” and promising a vigorous defense in court.

Tyler Perry, 55, was named the highest-paid director in Hollywood by Forbes in 2011. Though his films have achieved commercial success, critics have long accused him of reinforcing harmful stereotypes, particularly about Black women.

Perry has a son, Aman, with his former partner Gelila Bekele. Bekele and their son reportedly reside in Africa.