Tyler Perry’s co-star begged billionaire for a handout in groveling texts just months before filing his $77million sex assault suit

The bit part actor suing megastar Tyler Perry for $77million begged him for money for medical bills just four months ago in a series of emotional text messages exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail.

Mario Rodriguez alleges Perry groped him without consent and subjected him to unwanted sexual advances in a lawsuit filed in California last week.

Perry, 56 – who gave the former model a small part in his 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween – vigorously denies the allegations and has denounced them as nothing more than a ‘money grab’.

Just 12 months ago the small-time actor was heaping praise on Perry for helping him out and writing warmly of friendship in another series of texts obtained by the Daily Mail.

But Rodriguez changed his tone on August 31 this year, bombarding the renowned actor and director with texts recounting his medical tale of woe and saying he was too ‘broke’ to pay for treatment.

In the blast of confusingly written missives, in which Perry did not reply, he got straight to the point.

‘Brother haven’t been feeling ok confused and lil nauseous I got blood work thinks its my teeth,’ he wrote.

‘I know it’s none of your business idk what do I know I promised you I would never ask you for anything, but if it is what I think it is, I don’t think I could do it on my own because I barely pay my bills scared af I don’t want to get sepsis like my dad and pass away I don’t even wanna mention it because I don’t wanna make it real.’

‘Feel sick most days never told anybody this but my mom and everybody is starting to notice my broke a**. Don’t have insurance.

‘I’d never lie to you, but I think that’s what wrong.’

He continued: ‘My dentist is supposed to take care of in Beverly Hills, but he’s in prison for fraud.

‘I’ve always been healthy but lately I’ve been waking up confused and dizzy and a bunch of stuff. I just can’t go to the doctor because I can’t even afford it. I don’t want anything. I just wanna be OK.

‘Scared brother.’

Rodriguez’s onslaught could not have been more different to the texts he sent Perry at the end of November 2024 in which he proclaimed: ‘Just know that I love you and I thank you for everything. I appreciate you to the moon.

‘You got my Mexican a** out of a lot of bad places and I just wanna tell you thank you.

‘I can’t buy you anything, but I just wanna tell you that your boy right here appreciates you more than anything.’

He also gushed: ‘Straight from my heart bro, nothing I wouldn’t do for you man anyways enjoy your time and I hope I see you again soon.’

Perry responded with a heart emoji and the words: ‘Happy Thanksgiving my friend, Yeap you’ve been through it. I’m glad you’re doing well. You don’t have to give me a thing or pay me a thing. I’m just glad you’re good.’

Rodriguez replied: ‘I’m still going through it but you know me man I’m a survivor just like you are and I’m glad that you’re my friend and I love you bro…’

In light of the texts, Perry’s attorney Alex Spiro told the Daily Mail: ‘I said it before and I’ll say it again. This is nothing but a $77million money grab scam.’

Rodriguez’s lawsuit claims he was working out at a Los Angeles gym in 2015 when a trainer approached him and said Perry was interested in speaking with him.

He then allegedly chatted later on the phone with Perry, who gave him a tiny supporting role in Boo! A Madea Halloween, which was credited as Frat Guy #10.

Rodriguez claims Perry invited him to his home over the next few years so they could discuss possible work projects, according to the lawsuit.

He alleges the star first made sexual advances in 2015 by making ‘sexual grunting noises’ as he rubbed Rodriguez’s chest and shoulders.

In a subsequent alleged incident in November 2018, Rodriguez claims Perry ‘grabbed [Rodriguez’s] penis,’ despite his repeated requests to stop.

The bit-part actor alleges he had to ‘physically struggle to get away’ from Perry.

He also claims the filmmaker told him to ‘let it happen,’ and Perry allegedly pleaded: ‘If you were to just be with me, I would take care of you….’

According to the lawsuit, Perry allegedly apologized to Rodriguez after two unwelcome advances, then gave him $5,000 and dismissed him.

Rodriguez alleges that the last time he went to see Perry was in April 2019.

‘More than ever before, it was clear that Mr. Perry would do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, to whomever he wanted no matter how many times he was rejected,’ claims the filing.

According to Rodriguez, Perry continued to contact him up through 2024.

He claims Perry tried to speak to him via text message after learning that he planned to file his lawsuit.

In his text messages, Perry allegedly said that he ‘did so much to help Rodriguez,’ and he said that he ‘was feeling betrayed’.

Rodriguez adds in his lawsuit that he never received another acting from job from Perry, which he attributes to allegedly refusing the director’s advances.

In an Instagram video posted to his account on December 13, Rodriguez referenced allegedly being sexually assaulted by ‘a very big director, a seriously powerful person that everybody knows.’

He said he thought his ‘dreams were coming true’ when the unnamed director invited him over to his home to discuss new projects.

But after allegedly being assaulted, Rodriguez said ‘fear’ kept him ‘silent,’ and he apologized for not speaking out sooner to possibly warn others.

He ended by urging his followers to ‘stay tuned’ for more updates and details.

Rodriguez is the second actor to file a sexual assault lawsuit against Perry this year. They are represented by the same lawyer.

Derek Dixon, who starred in Perry’s shows The Oval and Ruthless, is demanding $260million for alleged ‘escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery’.

The case was moved from California to Georgia, where Perry is based and is ‘alive and well’ according to his legal team.

However, Tyler’s attorney Spiro said of the two cases: ‘Having recently failed in another matter against Mr. Perry, the very same lawyer has now made yet another demand from more than a decade ago which will also be a failed money grab.’

Rodriguez and Dixon are both represented by Jonathan J. Delshad.

Perry’s legal team hit back in the Dixon case with a filing in October strongly denying the allegations.

The paperwork, obtained by People, says: ‘Mr Perry never assaulted Dixon or committed any sexual battery. He did not offer Dixon pay raises and shoot Dixon’s television pilot script to threaten, coerce, or control Dixon.

‘And it is notable that in his effort to exploit his friendship and professional relationship with Mr Perry to obtain a $260million payday, Dixon was forced to lie not only about Mr Perry, but himself too.’

The filing also alleges the suit is about ‘Dixon’s greed and avarice, not Mr Perry’s alleged and nonexistent harassment or abuse’.

Perry began his career on the stage in Atlanta, and he was launched into superstardom thanks to the success of his plays and later films featuring the character Madea, an elderly grandmother whom Perry portrays.

Following the success of his Madea plays and films, Perry began to direct mainstream feature films, and he also took on acting work in films including the Ben Affleck–starring blockbuster Gone Girl (2014) and the thriller Alex Cross (2012).

Perry went on to expand his film aspirations by snapping up a 330-acre former military base in Atlanta in 2015, which became the site Tyler Perry Studios.

It’s now one of the largest film and television studios in the US, and it has hosted major features including Marvel’s Black Panther, as well as popular TV shows like The Walking Dead.