Lawsuit claims Hallmark exec wanted to replace ‘old talent’ with younger stars

(NEXSTAR) — An age discrimination lawsuit filed against Hallmark claims a network executive wanted to replace seasoned actors with “fresh new faces” and instructed a casting director not to cast “old people.”

Penny Perry, 79, a former casting director who worked at Hallmark for over seven years, filed the complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court on Oct. 9.

She accused executive vice president of programming Lisa Hamilton Daly of making ageist remarks while pushing for younger actors in lead roles. Hamilton Daly is also accused of expressing dissatisfaction with Lacey Chabert, 42, and Holly Robinson Peete, 60.

“Our leading ladies are aging out. We need to find new talent to take their place,” Hamilton Daly is quoted as saying in the court documents.

In a statement to Nexstar, Hallmark denied the “outrageous allegations.”

“Lacey and Holly have a home at Hallmark,” the statement read. “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.”

The lawsuit, obtained by Nexstar this week, also alleges that Hamilton Daly told Perry she was getting “long in the tooth,” a phrase often used to imply someone is getting old.

According to the complaint, Perry was gradually excluded from important meetings and decisions, eventually leading to her being offered a demotion with a 50% pay cut.

When Perry asked for more time to think about the offer, she said she was fired. The lawsuit claims that Hallmark then posted a job listing for a new position nearly identical to Perry’s former role.

In addition to age discrimination, the lawsuit highlights Perry’s disabilities, including multiple sclerosis and legal blindness in her left eye. Perry claims Hallmark failed to accommodate her, despite the physical challenges she faced, such as balance issues and reduced mobility.

Other defendants named in the lawsuit include Randy Pope, senior vice president of programming and development, and Paul Hodgkinson, vice president of human resources. Both are accused of playing roles in Perry’s alleged wrongful termination.

Perry is seeking compensatory damages for lost wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages for what she describes as intentional age and disability discrimination, wrongful termination, and defamation.

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