General Hospital's Scarlett Spears pays tribute to character's real-life namesake

When Donna Corinthos was born on General Hospital in 2019, her first name was a tribute to Donna Messina, a longtime member of the show’s crew.

Messina died of cancer in December 2018 at the age of 59. The head of the hair and makeup department at General Hospital at the time of her passing, she was part of the show for more than 35 years.

Donna Corinthos was named after longtime General Hospital makeup artist

Scarlett Spears recently paid tribute to Donna's real-life namesake | Image: ABC

On an episode of the show, Donna’s parents Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Carly (Laura Wright) named their newborn daughter after a former neighbor and friend of Sonny’s with the name Donna.

As Kambra Clifford of Soap Central quoted Sonny in 2019, “She was kind and loyal and she knew how to keep a secret. You could talk to her about anything and your problems, who you love, your fears, she would just listen, and she wouldn’t judge, and she wouldn’t tell a soul.

“She was tough as nails, and she had no patience for fools. And if you were annoying, she would get in your face. She hated bullies, no matter young or old. It didn’t matter. And she was fearless. But most of all, she was kind, loyal, and generous. One of the greatest things about her was that she could always make you smile, no matter how you were feeling. That was just the way she was.”

Donna Corinthos has been portrayed by Scarlett Brielle Spears since 2022. Spears never got to meet Messina, but recently she paid tribute to her character’s namesake in a special way.

On her Instagram account, which is run by her mother, Sharline, Spears shared a picture of her looking at a plaque on the General Hospital premises that honors Messina. The plaque is on a bench on the property. The caption on the Instagram post says “’Donna Corinthos’ 🧡🩵 named after Donna Messina- General Hospital Makeup Artist 🕊️ From 1983- 2018 💄’”

Laura Wright replied to the photo, posting emojis “😢😢❤️”

Several fans commented on the post saying what a sweet gesture it was.

@sprinkles_lorelai said: “This is SUCH a special photo. So excited to see Scarlett’s episodes! She brings so much joy to this wonderful show.”

@billc_dumbosguest said: “The Donna in heaven would be proud of Scarlett's work as her namesake.”

Played by the adorable Spears, Donna brings cuteness and heart to the screen whenever she appears on General Hospital. Never more so then when she and her friends Georgie Spinelli (Lily Fisher), James West (Gary James Fuller), Wiley Corinthos (Viron Weaver) and Scout Quartermaine (Cosette Abinante) performed "I'll Be There" at the Nurses’ Ball. No doubt Donna Messina would have loved that one.

Catch all-new episodes of General Hospital weekdays on ABC and Hulu