The Queen of Hallmark Christmas movies, Lacey Chabert, might be moving on from the channel after a former casting director claimed that executives wanted to replace her and other “older” stars with younger actors.
Penny Perry, a 79-year-old former casting director who departed Hallmark in April, has accused Hallmark executive vice president of programming Lisa Hamilton Daly, senior vice president of programming and development Randy Pope, and vice president of human resources Paul Hodgkinson of wrongful termination, as well as age and disability discrimination. In a lawsuit filed on October 9 in Los Angeles Superior Court, Perry says that Daly told staff to “replace” “old talent,” including Chabert, 42, and Holly Robinson Peete, 60. “Lacey’s getting older and we have to find someone like her to replace her as she gets older,” Daly allegedly said. Of Peete, she allegedly said, “No one wants her because she’s too expensive and getting too old. She can’t play leading roles anymore.”
Hamilton Daly reportedly said that they needed to “replace” the “old talent” including 42-year-old actress Lacey Chabert, who has starred in dozens of Hallmark movies, many of them Christmas-themed, and portrayed Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls (2004), saying Chabert is “getting older and we have to find someone like her to replace her as she gets older.”
Hallmark, however, denied the allegations. In a statement to Variety, the studio denied what it called “outrageous allegations,” saying, “Lacey and Holly have a home at Hallmark.”
Perry alleges that Daly told her she was “too old to work in her position” and “maneuvered to push her out of the company.” Perry, who says in the suit that she suffers from multiple sclerosis and is legally blind in one eye, also claimed that she received a strong annual performance evaluation two months before her ouster and subsequent replacement by a younger man.
Perry is seeking injunctive relief, “economic damages for loss of past and future earnings,” and additional damages from Hallmark after alleging that Hamilton Daly told her she was “too old to work in her position and maneuvered to push her out of the company.” The casting director, who says in the suit that she suffers from multiple sclerosis and is legally blind in one eye, also claimed that she received a strong annual performance evaluation two months before her ouster and subsequent replacement by a younger man.
Hallmark’s Response
Hallmark has denied the allegations. “Lacey and Holly have a home at Hallmark. We do not generally comment on pending litigation. And while we deny these outrageous allegations, we are not going to discuss an employment relationship in the media,” a company representative told AP in an emailed statement.
Who is Lacey Chabert?
Lacey Chabert is an American actress, producer, and author. She began her career as a child actress, appearing in television shows like “Party of Five” and films like “Lost in Space.” Chabert is known for her role as Gretchen Wieners in the 2004 teen comedy “Mean Girls.” Since then, Chabert has starred in over 40 Hallmark movies, making her one of the network’s most popular stars. She is also the host of the reality show “Celebrations with Lacey Chabert” on Hallmark’s streaming service.
Who is Holly Robinson Peete?
Holly Robinson Peete is an American actress, producer, and author. She is known for her roles in television shows like “21 Jump Street,” “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper,” and “For Your Love.” Robinson Peete is also an advocate for people with autism and has been involved with various charities. She has starred in several Hallmark movies, including the “Christmas is Evergreen” series.
Hollywood’s Ageism Problem
The lawsuit against Hallmark is not the first time that Hollywood has been accused of age discrimination. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to address ageism in the entertainment industry. Many actors have spoken out about their experiences with age discrimination, and some have even filed lawsuits.
The lawsuit against Hallmark is a reminder that age discrimination is still a problem in Hollywood. The lawsuit alleges that Hallmark executives were willing to sacrifice the careers of two of their most popular stars in order to bring in younger actors. This is a troubling trend that needs to be addressed.
Hallmark’s Response
Hallmark has denied the allegations. “Lacey and Holly have a home at Hallmark. We do not generally comment on pending litigation. And while we deny these outrageous allegations, we are not going to discuss an employment relationship in the media,” a company representative told AP in an emailed statement.
The Future of Hallmark
The outcome of the lawsuit could have a significant impact on the future of Hallmark. If the lawsuit is successful, it could set a precedent for other actors who have been discriminated against based on their age. It could also lead to changes in Hallmark’s hiring practices.
Moving Forward
The lawsuit against Hallmark is a reminder that age discrimination is still a problem in Hollywood. The entertainment industry needs to do more to address this issue. Actors and actresses of all ages deserve to be given the same opportunities. The lawsuit is a positive step toward making Hollywood a more inclusive and equitable place for all.
