It’s the most fantastic time of the 12 months for the Hallmark Channel after their Countdown to Christmas programming started on Oct. 18, however there’s at the least one former worker who’s alleging that issues weren’t so jolly behind the scenes. An age discrimination lawsuit alleges that the community’s Vice President of Programming Lisa Hamilton Daly took points with a few of their greatest stars.
Penny Perry, a 79-year-old casting director labored for Hallmark for 9 years till she was fired in April, is suing the community. In her criticism, she famous that Hamilton Daly made alleged ageist remarks that singled out Lacey Chabert, 42, and Holly Robinson Peete, 60. “Lacey’s getting older, and we now have to seek out somebody like her to exchange her as she will get older,” Perry claimed the studio govt mentioned in her swimsuit. It doesn’t get a lot better with Robinson Peete both.
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Lisa Hamilton Daly, EVP, Programming, Hallmark Media, attends Selection Energy of Girls Los Angeles introduced by Lifetime at Mom Wolf on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Randy Shropshire/Selection through Getty Photos.
“Nobody needs her as a result of she’s too costly and getting too outdated. She will’t play main roles anymore,” the swimsuit alleged Hamilton Daly mentioned. Perry was additionally reportedly on the receiving finish of ageist feedback as a casting director. “We have to herald somebody who is aware of extra younger expertise,” the chief is alleged to have mentioned to Perry. “Our main women are ageing out.”
Hallmark issued an announcement to Selection, giving reward to each Chabert and Robinson Peete. “Lacey and Holly have a house at Hallmark. We don’t usually touch upon pending litigation. And whereas we deny these outrageous allegations, we’re not going to debate an employment relationship within the media,” the community mentioned.
Chabert at present has the unscripted present, Celebrations, working on Hallmark+, and the upcoming vacation movie, The Christmas Quest. She praised the community in 2022 to Vulture, “I discovered a actual house in Hallmark. I’m in a position to be extra of who I’m right here than presumably anyplace else I’ve labored. With Hallmark, I play characters which can be extra like who I’m in actual life than anyplace else. My values are my religion and my household, and I get to painting that.”
Robinson Peete doesn’t seem to have a brand new film slated for the channel this 12 months. Vacation Heritage was her final film for the community in 2022. Neither of the actresses has commented publicly on the allegations made within the lawsuit.
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Earlier than you go, click on right here to see all of the superstar ladies who’ve spoken out about ageism.
