Late-breaking News
Six-time Daytime Emmywinning makeup artist Donna Messina, who was the head of the hair and makeup department at GH, passed away on December 6. She was 59.
Executive Producer Frank Valentini confirmed the news in a statement, saying, “Donna Messina joined the GENERAL HOSPITAL family on 8/26/1982. Anyone who’s been to set knows the hair and make-up department is synonymous with Donna. To say her presence will be missed, is an understatement. She was an incredibly warm, witty and all around great gal. Our thoughts go out to her loved ones — She touched every life in the studio and we are just heartbroken. We are all grieving this loss.”
Messina was a beloved figure behind the scenes at GH, and her death inspired heartfelt tributes from cast members past and present. Genie Francis (Laura) wrote, “God bless sweet Donna Messina. A great friend and mother hen of us all. We went to her with our feelings, we could speak freely & we knew we were safe.. and when we needed it, she would give us a stern no bull talking to, to set us straight. There was no better friend. Godspeed.”
Maurice Benard (Sonny) noted, “Sometimes you meet someone in life you just connect with and then unfortunately life just takes that person away. And no matter how much your heart breaks you want to remember the good times.” Calling Messina “my best friend my sister”, he added, “I will never forget what you meant in my life.” Finola Hughes (Anna) praised Messina as “an extraordinary part of our #GH family” and “the very heart of our show, the glue if you will. She loved #GH she loved each of us, she was our fierce leader and our fiercest defender. There was never a moment, or a doubt in our minds, she would go to bat for any of us .... She was a mother to all, but the best
mother to her three beautiful boys.”
“We lost a beautiful soul,” Steve Burton (Jason) posted. “The one who held it all together. Was always there for everyone. A mom to everyone. Someone we can all count on. Donna Messina. I love you. Thank you. Rest In Peace.” Dominic Zamprogna (ex-dante) recalled, “Donna welcomed me and treated me like a long lost Italian family member from day 1. Always supportive always smiling. Heart. Broken. Rest easy
beautiful Donna.”
“Our dear Donna Messina,” Wally Kurth (Ned) wrote. “We will miss you so much. I always loved sitting in your makeup chair, getting the low down, hearing the latest studio gossip. You were the heart and soul of the GH hair/makeup room. Heartbreaking. RIP.” Michelle Stafford (Nina) recalled that Messina “had such respect for actors. She was completely honest. She would tell me when the guy I was dating was an ass--- or
too young for me or didn’t treat me right (and she was right on all accounts).”
Tyler Christopher (exnikolas; Stefan, DAYS) called Messina “a kind woman whom i could always share a good laugh with early in the morning before work. You were such an intricate part of the GH machine.” Jon Lindstrom (Kevin/ryan) tweeted, “I loved her, as we all did, for her support and kindness, her no-bulls--- attitude and honesty. I miss her already.”