In a new legal battle spotlighting age discrimination, former Hallmark casting director Penny Perry has filed a lawsuit claiming that executives at Hallmark Media harbored ageist attitudes toward some of the network’s well-loved stars, allegedly describing actors like Holly Robinson Peete and Lacey Chabert as “too old” and expressing a desire for “new talent to take their place.”
The suit, which also includes allegations of disability discrimination and wrongful termination, shines a light on the challenges Perry says she faced after returning from heart surgery, adding fuel to a broader conversation on ageism and inclusivity in Hollywood.
Perry, a respected industry veteran who served as SVP of Talent and Casting until her departure, specifically accuses Lisa Hamilton Daly, Hallmark’s Executive VP of Programming, of targeting senior talent. Daly reportedly made dismissive remarks about Peete, 62, claiming she was “too expensive and getting too old” to play leading roles.
Similarly, Daly allegedly expressed concerns over Chabert, 42, stating they would need to “replace her as she gets older.” Perry’s suit also claims she was explicitly instructed not to cast “old people” in prominent Hallmark roles, further naming actors like Catherine Bell, Alison Sweeney, and Eric Close as stars Hallmark purportedly wanted to phase out.
Perry’s lawsuit suggests that age and disability issues extended beyond talent casting, alleging that Daly and SVP Randy Pope were hostile toward her following her pacemaker surgery and MS diagnosis.
Perry asserts that she was pressured to accept a pay cut and reduced benefits, ultimately receiving 48 hours to decide. She claims Hallmark misrepresented her departure as voluntary, undermining her longstanding career.
Perry’s attorneys lauded her courage in holding her former employer accountable, issuing a statement underscoring her intent to promote respect and fairness in workplaces everywhere.
Hallmark responded with a statement of support for Chabert and Peete, denying the lawsuit’s “outrageous allegations” and refraining from further comment on what it describes as a private employment matter.
This lawsuit could signal larger shifts in Hollywood, where age discrimination has historically sidelined older talent.
Perry’s demand for a jury trial seeks to address economic and general damages, including pain and suffering, in a case that may be pivotal for age and disability rights in entertainment.
