Hallmark Media’s executive vice president of programming, Lisa Hamilton Daly, reportedly advised a former employee against casting “old people” for roles within Hallmark productions, indicating that “our leading ladies are aging out.” This statement is part of a lawsuit filed against the network that was made public this month.
The litigation, brought forth by Penny Perry, a 79-year-old casting director, was filed on October 9 in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Perry claims she was unlawfully terminated from her position due to her age, despite consistently receiving positive performance reviews throughout her tenure. The lawsuit describes Hallmark’s typical happy endings as mere television fantasies, stating, “In Ms. Perry’s case, there was no happy ending, and no feel-good episode to wrap up her career with Hallmark. Instead, her finale episode was marred by ageist and ableist harassment, and a callous termination which robbed her of her illustrious career, her pride, and her well-being.”
In response to the lawsuit, Hallmark has refuted the claims, asserting: “Hallmark continues to consistently cast and maintain positive, productive relationships with talented actors representing a broad spectrum of diversity, including actors who span many age groups and cross generations.”
The lawsuit further alleges that Hamilton Daly insisted they needed to “replace” what she referred to as “old talent,” specifically naming 42-year-old actress Lacey Chabert, who has appeared in numerous Hallmark films, particularly those centered around Christmas. She suggested that since Chabert was “getting older,” they needed to find a similar actress to take her place.
Additionally, the lawsuit claims that Hamilton Daly remarked about 60-year-old actress Holly Robinson Peete, a star of “Our Christmas Journey,” saying, “No one wants her because she’s too expensive and getting too old. She can’t play leading roles anymore.” Hallmark responded to the allegations by emphasizing, “Lacey and Holly have a home at Hallmark,” while also choosing not to engage in discussions concerning ongoing litigation. According to Hallmark representatives, they deny these serious accusations and wish to keep employment matters private.
Chabert is set to star in a new Hallmark movie titled The Christmas Quest, which is scheduled for release on December 1. She also hosts the reality series “Celebrations with Lacey Chabert.” Requests for comments from representatives of both Chabert and Robinson Peete have gone unanswered so far.
Perry has claimed she faced both ageist and ableist harassment at Hallmark, with Hamilton Daly allegedly making disparaging remarks about age that contradicted the network’s values. The lawsuit indicates that Hamilton Daly suggested Perry was “too ‘long in the tooth’” to maintain her position at Hallmark. It also mentions that Randy Pope, the senior vice president of programming and development, teased Perry about her multiple sclerosis when she faltered in her speech—a symptom associated with the illness.
In a statement from Perry’s lawyers, Lisa Sherman and Josh Schein, they expressed disappointment in how a respected industry veteran was treated, indicating hopes that this case may prompt positive changes both in Hollywood and in workplaces across various sectors.
The complaints arise amidst a challenging time for the entertainment industry, which is navigating a landscape affected by significant labor strikes, the impact of the pandemic, and the rise of streaming services.