A former Hallmark Channel host filed a malpractice lawsuit against the network because the studio didn't make her feel good.
Cheerful channel executives tried to replace holiday stars like Holly Robinson Peete, 60, and Lacey Chabert, 42, because they didn't want to cast “old men” as leads on the channel's shows. according to a new age discrimination lawsuit.
The entertainment giant is accused in a lawsuit brought by 79-year-old casting director Penny Perry of discriminating against older employees on and off camera, filing a complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court on October 9. Ta.
Actresses such as Peete and Chabert have appeared in several Hallmark movies, but the complaint alleges that Hallmark's executive vice president of programming, Lisa Hamilton Daley, banned them from the festival film and replaced them. He claims that he wanted to use a young star for the role.
“Lacey is getting older, so we have to find someone like her to replace her,” Daly said of the channel's favorites such as the “Wedding Veil” collection and “A.” said the “Mean Girls” actress, who appeared in several Royal Christmases. ”
Daly also disparaged Pete, the star of “21 Jump Street,” who appeared in nearly a dozen holiday movies, according to the complaint.
“No one wants her because she's too expensive and too old. She can't play the lead role anymore,” Daly is accused of saying.
According to the complaint, Daly also co-starred Elizabeth Mitchell, Katherine Bell, Alison Sweeney, Autumn Reaser, Kelly Martin, Nikki DeLoach, Rachel Boston, Brennan Elliott, Cameron Matheson, Paul Green, and Eric. Crows were reportedly looking for a replacement for Teri Hatcher.
Mr. Perry, a former casting director, has more than 450 casting credits and worked at Hallmark for nine years, but said he was too old and management was looking for “someone who knew younger talent.” The employee filed a lawsuit claiming that he had been unfairly dismissed.
The fired casting boss, who has multiple sclerosis and is legally blind in one eye, was fired weeks after returning from heart surgery, according to court documents. I couldn't reach the end.
Perry's lawsuit alleges that Randy Pope, Hallmark's senior vice president of programming and development, “regularly harassed Perry,” and that Hallmark's vice president of human resources, Paul Hodgkinson, He has been accused of being complicit in an “unfair dismissal.”
Hallmark denied the allegations in its complaint and responded in a statement.
“Lacey and Holly have a home in Hallmark. Our company typically does not comment on pending litigation, and although we deny these outrageous claims, we do not discuss their employment relationship in the media.” I’m not going to argue.” According to a statement from Hallmark Acquired by Variety.
Hallmark is releasing 32 all-new Christmas movies this year. According to Taste of Home. Although Perry is not part of the casting team for the upcoming holiday movie, he is credited as a casting director for four non-holiday Hallmark movies scheduled for release in 2024.
