Hallmark executives called Holly Robinson Peete and Lacey Chabert “too old,” an age discrimination lawsuit says

Casting director Penny Perry, 79, claims in an age discrimination lawsuit that Lisa Hamilton Daly, Hallmark's executive vice president of programming, told her employees she didn't want to hire “old” people, including network favorites Holly Robinson Peete and Lacey Chabert.

Daly reportedly told Perry not to cast “old people” in Hallmark roles, such as the 60-year-old Peete, of whom she said: “Nobody wants her because she's too expensive and she's getting too old.” She can't do lead roles “Play more.” Daly also reportedly explained that at 42, Chabert “is getting older and we need to find someone like her to replace her as she gets older.”

In a statement, a Hallmark representative told TheWrap: “Lacey and Holly have a home with Hallmark. We generally do not comment on pending legal disputes. And while we deny these outrageous allegations, we will not discuss an employment relationship in the media.

Perry filed the lawsuit today in Los Angeles Superior Court, naming Daly; Hallmark Media; and Paul Hodgkinson, the company's vice president of human resources; and producer Randy Pope.

The legal documents obtained by TheWrap state that Hallmark Channel films are known for their “cosy, feel-good endings,” before pointing out that they “do not have a happy ending or a feel-good episode to close out their careers.” at Hallmark”. Instead, her final episode was marked by anti-age and disability harassment and a callous dismissal that robbed her of her illustrious career, her pride and her well-being.”

Perry's lawyers added: “Unfortunately, Hallmark's happy endings are stories made just for television. The reality show is much scarier.”

The “vile and ageist behavior” alleged by Daly includes telling Perry that she was “too stale” to keep her job at Hallmark and that such treatment “came straight from Hallmark's game plan when they tried to hire other employees.” to be released in their 60s and 70s because of their age.”

Perry also claims she was sued for, among other things, wrongful termination, disability discrimination, defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress by Daly. She demands a jury trial.

TheWrap has reached out to Perry and Daly for comment.

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