Hallmark wanted to replace ‘older people’ like Holly Robinson Peete and Lacey Chabert with ‘younger stars’: lawsuit

On By Yukito

A former Hallmark Channel star has given the network a fi-la-la-la-la-lawsuit after the studio failed to make her feel less than cheerful.

The Merry Channel’s chief executive is accused of trying to replace Christmas stars like Holly Robinson Peete, 60, and Lacey Chabert, 42, because they no longer wanted to cast “older people” as the main characters of the channel’s shows, according to a new lawsuit regarding age discrimination.

The Hallmark boss wanted to replace “older people” like Lacey Chabert, 42. ©Hallmark Entertainment/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
The principal said 60-year-old Holly Robinson Peete was “too old” and “too expensive.” Wire image

The entertainment powerhouse is accused of discriminating against aging employees both on and off camera in a lawsuit brought by 79-year-old casting director Penny Perry, who filed the complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court on October 9.

Actresses like Peete and Chabert have starred in several Hallmark movies, but the lawsuit alleges that Lisa Hamilton Daly, Hallmark’s executive vice president of programming, wanted to exclude them from holiday movies and hire younger stars instead.

Chabert is starring in one of Hallmark’s 32 Christmas movies this year. “The Christmas Quest” will premiere on December 1. Hallmark Channel

“Lacey is getting old and we need to find someone like her to replace her when she’s older,” Daly allegedly said of the “Mean Girls” actress, who has appeared in some of the channel’s popular productions such as the “Wedding Veil” collection and “The Royals” Christmas.”

The lawsuit alleges that Daly also defamed “21 Jump Street” star Peete, who has appeared in nearly a dozen holiday movies.

“Nobody wants it because it’s too expensive and too old. He can’t play leading roles anymore,” Daly claims.

Holly Robinson Peete won’t appear in any of the Hallmark Countdown to Christmas movies this year, even though she has had leading roles in the past. ©Hallmark Entertainment/Courtesy of the Everett Collection

The lawsuit claims Daly also reportedly wanted to find replacements for Elizabeth Mitchell, Catherine Bell, Alison Sweeney, Autumn Reeser, Kelly Martin, Nikki Deloach, Rachel Boston, Brennan Elliott, Cameron Mathieson, Paul Greene, Eric Close and Teri Hatcher.

Former casting director Perry has more than 450 casting credits under her belt and worked for Hallmark for nine years, but filed a lawsuit after she claims she was unceremoniously fired because she was also too old and management wanted to find “someone who knew more young talents.”

Hallmark’s executive vice president of programming, Lisa Hamilton Daly, is accused of trying to replace “older people” as the channel’s main characters. Getty Images for Hallmark Media

Court documents say the fired casting director, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and is blind in one eye, failed to ensure her well-being at Hallmark because she was fired weeks after returning from heart surgery.

Perry’s lawsuit also names Randy Pope, Hallmark’s senior vice president of programming and development, for allegedly “regularly badgering her,” and Paul Hodgkinson, vice president of human resources, for participating in what she claims was her “wrongful termination.” work.”

Hallmark denied the allegations in the complaint and responded in a statement.

Hallmark has denied the allegations made against executives like Daly in the lawsuit. Getty Images for Hallmark Media

“Lacey and Holly have a house on Hallmark. We generally do not comment on ongoing court proceedings. And while we deny these outrageous allegations, we will not discuss the employment relationship in the media,” according to a statement from Hallmark obtained by Variety.

According to Taste of Home, Hallmark will premiere 32 brand new Christmas movies this year. Perry is not on the casting team for any of the upcoming holiday movies, but he is credited as a casting director for four non-holiday Hallmark movies that will be released in 2024.