Age Discrimination Lawsuit Against Hallmark Unveils Industry Bias

A lawsuit claims that Hallmark’s VP of programming, Lisa Hamilton Daly, expressed a desire to avoid casting older actors, specifically targeting Holly Robinson Peete and Lacey Chabert. Penny Perry, a 79-year-old casting director, alleges she was fired due to her age and health issues, while Hamilton Daly referenced the need for younger talent. The case raises significant concerns about age discrimination in Hollywood.

In a recent age discrimination lawsuit, Hallmark’s VP of programming, Lisa Hamilton Daly, allegedly expressed a desire to avoid casting “old people,” singling out actors Holly Robinson Peete and Lacey Chabert. Peete, 60, and Chabert, 42, who have both featured in Hallmark’s Christmas movies, were described as “old talent” that needed replacement. The suit claims Hamilton Daly suggested finding younger alternatives as stars age out of their roles. The lawsuit was filed by Penny Perry, a 79-year-old casting director, who claims she was fired after nine years at Hallmark. Perry alleges Hamilton Daly called her “too long in the tooth” and sought to push her out to find new, younger talent. The executive reportedly stated, “Our leading ladies are aging out,” indicating a shift away from established actors. Perry, who has notable casting experience and faces health challenges, asserted that Hallmark did not accommodate her disabilities. She emphasizes that she had received positive performance reviews, including one shortly before her termination. Following her dismissal, she claims the company hired a younger man to fill her role, reinforcing claims of age bias. Hamilton Daly joined Hallmark in 2021 after working with larger networks and is accused of orchestrating Perry’s exit to create a younger work environment. Perry’s complaint details her alleged exclusion from meetings and reassignment of her responsibilities to an outsider, pointing to a systematic effort to oust her from the company. Hallmark’s response to the lawsuit is currently pending. This situation highlights ongoing issues of age discrimination in the entertainment industry, as evidenced by SAG-AFTRA’s longstanding advocacy against such bias. The union has made efforts to protect older actors, addressing age-related injustices in casting practices. Although attempts to regulate actor age visibility on IMDb faced legal challenges, such initiatives showcase the fight against ageism in Hollywood.

This article centers on a lawsuit against Hallmark, alleging age discrimination within the organization. The complaint focuses on statements made by the channel’s executive VP of programming regarding casting preferences that favor younger actors over established ones. This incident raises questions about systemic age bias in Hollywood, particularly in the realm of television and film production, and highlights the difficulty older actors face in securing roles, despite their experience and talent.

The lawsuit against Hallmark brings forth serious allegations of age discrimination within the entertainment industry, marked by the purported comments of a high-ranking executive. The firing of a seasoned casting director in favor of younger talent exemplifies an ongoing struggle against age bias. This case may serve as a catalyst for further discussions on ageism and equity in casting practices across the industry.

Original Source: variety.com