Derek Dixon, an actor who appeared in nearly 90 episodes of the Tyler Perry drama The Oval, has filed a lawsuit accusing the entertainment mogul of repeated sexual assault, harassment, and professional retaliation. Dixon is seeking at least $260 million in damages.
The lawsuit, filed last Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that Perry abused his position of power in the entertainment industry to coerce Dixon into a sexually exploitative relationship. Dixon says he remained silent out of fear for his career and personal safety, especially after being told that his character could be written off the show.
According to court documents, Dixon first met Perry in 2019 while working at a private event. That meeting allegedly led to an audition and later a role on the BET drama The Oval, where Dixon became a recurring cast member. However, the lawsuit claims that as Dixon’s role grew, so did Perry’s sexual advances, including inappropriate messages, threats, and alleged assaults.
One instance described in the lawsuit includes Perry forcibly undressing and groping Dixon. The actor said he repeatedly rejected Perry’s advances and tried to set boundaries while maintaining good professional terms. The complaint alleges that Perry later apologised and offered Dixon a producing opportunity on a project called Losing It, which Dixon now believes was a tactic to keep him quiet.
Perry’s legal team has denied the allegations. In a statement, his lawyer Matthew Boyd called the claims a “scam” and said Perry “will not be shaken down.”
Dixon says he finally decided to walk away from the show after filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2024, which yielded no action. He has since moved to Los Angeles to distance himself from Perry’s influence and is now taking his claims to court.
The 55-year-old Perry is best known for his Madea film series and owns one of the largest production studios in the U.S., located in Atlanta. The Oval is among the several TV series he writes, directs, and produces.
The lawsuit adds to ongoing conversations about power dynamics in the entertainment industry and how difficult it can be for actors, especially men, to come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct.
