A limousine driver who appeared in Post Malone’s 2020 hit music video, Tommy Lee, has taken the rapper to court, alleging he was never compensated for his role in the production.
The driver, named Larry Deuel, initiated legal action against Post Malone, his collaborator Tyla Yaweh, and Sony Music Entertainment, seeking damages exceeding $10 million.
According to court documents acquired by Daily Mail, Deuel, a high school teacher who also worked as a limo driver at the time, was hired to transport the duo to Malone’s ranch for the video shoot. However, upon arrival, he stated he was asked to participate in the video — a request he accepted after being assured he would be “taken care of.”
In the Tommy Lee video, Deuel is seen laying out a red carpet, opening the car door for Yaweh, and standing beside the limousine as the musicians perform. He appears multiple times throughout the video, which has now amassed over 97 million views on YouTube.
Nevertheless, Deuel claims he was neither paid nor asked to consent to the use of his image and likeness in the project.
The lawsuit contends that his role was essential to the video’s depiction of luxury and success, stating:
“Absent Mr. Deuel’s presence in Tommy Lee, the theme of wealth, power, fame, privilege, and success would have been visually underwhelming — supported only by two unkempt musicians smoking blunts and riding ATVs in a dirt field.”
Deuel is suing for misappropriation of likeness, fraudulent inducement, and breach of contract, alleging Malone and Yaweh never had any intention of paying him despite their assurances.
The lawsuit further claims that Deuel made multiple attempts to resolve the matter privately, but when his attorney attempted to deliver a legal letter to Post Malone in August 2025, the rapper’s security allegedly “laughed and refused to accept service.”
Deuel is now seeking at least $2.5 million in principal damages, $7.5 million in punitive damages, and $25,000 in legal fees, asserting his contribution significantly contributed to the video’s widespread success on platforms like Spotify, YouTube Music, and SoundCloud.
As of press time, neither Post Malone nor Tyla Yaweh has publicly addressed the lawsuit.
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