General Hospital’s Finola Hughes Shares the Loss of a Doggedly Devoted Family Member: ‘Thank You for Being Such a Love for My Children’
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021
Priscilla Grant/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
On June 21, the Emmy winner revealed on social media that Ziggy had crossed the rainbow bridge.
Maybe it’s just because we love animals so much. But we couldn’t read Finola Hughes’ Instagram post without a lump forming in our throat and our eyes getting watery. “We had to let you go this morning, Ziggytank,” the General Hospital star wrote, using the nickname that she and husband Russell Young had given their four-legged family member. “God, you were a great doggy.”
Not just to Hughes and Young, either, but their three kids. “Thank you,” the Emmy winner told Ziggy, “for being such a love for my children. You followed us everywhere.
“Godspeed, Ziggs,” she concluded. “We love you.”
More: Is Vanessa Marcil returning? Maurice Benard’s answer
In response, Anna’s portrayer received a massive outpouring of support, from everyone from General Hospital castmates Laura Wright (Carly) and Marc Anthony Samuel (Felix) to pals like The Young and the Restless’ Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren) and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), with whom Hughes once appeared in a memorable primetime soap. (Read all about it here.)
“Oh, Finola,” wrote Tamara Braun, formerly Carly on General Hospital and now Ava on Days of Our Lives. “I’m so, so sorry. I remember us talking about our fur babies and the deep love we have for them.
“Sending you so much love,” she added.
More: Finola Hughes through the years [PHOTOS]
Sigh. On this somber occasion, if you need a little pick-me-up, perhaps you can find it in the below photo gallery, a collection of Daytime Emmy fashions that are as worthy of the runway as the red carpet.
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Image: John Paschal/JPI
1/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Vanessa Marcil. <strong>When:</strong> In 2004, just a year after she was named Outstanding Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Brenda on <em>General Hospital</em>. <strong>Why:</strong> C’mon, are your eyes open — <em>and</em> functioning? That barely-there dress — and the confidence with which it was worn — ushered in VMar’s JLo moment. </p>
Image: CBS
2/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Brytni Sarpy. <strong>When:</strong> In 2021, the year that Elena’s feelings for Devon and Nate on <em>The Young and the Restless</em> left her feeling like the rope in a tug-of-war. <strong>Why:</strong> The actress was so gorgeous in that shimmering, structural gown, it was a wonder anyone even looked at those shiny statuettes being handed out.</p>
Image: Jennifer Graylock/JPI
3/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Deidre Hall. <strong>When:</strong> In 2005, the year that she and <em>Days of Our Lives</em> leading man Drake Hogestyn (John to her Marlena) won… well, not an Emmy but at least a <em>Soap Opera Digest Award</em> for Favorite Couple. <strong>Why:</strong> If ever we needed a reminder that inside of every Marlena, there’s a little bit of Hattie, this is it!</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
4/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Susan Lucci and Liza Huber. <strong>When:</strong> In 2004, during Mom’s legendary run as Erica on <em>All My Children</em> and her older child’s stint as Gwen on <em>Passions</em>. <strong>Why:</strong> The duo don’t just look gorgeous in their gowns, they look like they’re having a great time heading out on stage together as presenters.</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
5/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Sharon Case. <strong>When:</strong> In 2003, four years after the soap vet (who’d already appeared on <em>General Hospital</em> and <em>As the World Turns</em>) earned an Outstanding Supporting Actress statuette for her star turn as Sharon on <em>The Young and the Restless</em>. <strong>Why:</strong> For rocking a variation on the little black dress in a dazzling way.</p>
Image: CBS
6/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Kelly Thiebaud. <strong>When:</strong> The year that <em>General Hospital</em> swapped JaSam for Britton — in other words, 2021. <strong>Why:</strong> Green means go — or in this case, “You go, girl — that dress is nine kindsa slammin’!”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
7/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Jacqueline MacInnes Wood. <strong>When:</strong> In 2011, eight years before her Emmy party favor would be a golden girl for the way she utterly <em>owns</em> the role of Steffy on <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em>. <strong>Why:</strong> Oh, please. How many dresses look as badass going as they do coming the way that this one does?</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
8/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Stacy Haiduk. <strong>When:</strong> In 2009, the year that she <em>should’ve</em> been a nominee for her stunning work as <em>The Young and the Restless</em>’ poor, loco Patty and her lookalike shrink, Emily. <strong>Why:</strong> Only the actress who went on to play Kristen and Susan on <em>Days of Our Lives</em> could bring as her date Patty’s fluffy confidant, Mr. Kitty, and make it work purr-fectly.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
9/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Maura West, back when she was playing Carly on <em>As the World Turns</em>. <strong>When:</strong> In 2008, a year after she began collecting Outstanding Lead Actress Emmys like they were Pokémon cards. <strong>Why:</strong> In this emerald sheeth, the actress — now Ava on <em>General Hospital</em> — could turn any other fashion plate green with envy.</p>
Image: CBS
10/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Diamond White. <strong>When:</strong> In 2021, the year that the soap newbie made her <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> debut as Paris. <strong>Why:</strong> The outré outfit is like a dare — one that the actress not only <em>took</em> but <em>rocked</em>. “Pretty in pink” isn’t even the half of it! </p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
11/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Melody Thomas Scott. <strong>When:</strong> In 2002, three years after the <em>Young & Restless</em> icon received her (wait, <em>what</em>?!?) only Emmy nod to date. <strong>Why:</strong> Nikki’s portrayer provided all the star power that the outfit could’ve possibly needed. But to ensure a win in this round of patriot games, the blonde bombshell added stripes for good measure.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
12/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Susan Flannery and Jennifer Finnigan. <strong>When:</strong> In 2003, the year that the <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> legend completed her collection of three Daytime Emmys for playing Stephanie and her castmate scored the second of her three Younger Actress statuettes for her work as Bridget. <strong>Why:</strong> Their colorful fashion choices gloriously reflect their individuality.</p>
Image: Lisa Rose/JPI
13/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Laura Wright. <strong>When:</strong> In 2003, back when the soap-hopper who now plays Carly on <em>General Hospital</em> was still Cassie on <em>Guiding Light</em>. <strong>Why:</strong> Not only did the form-fitting number shimmer like the stars at midnight, that rear-view ensured that anytime the future Emmy winner walked away, she’d get a glance “back.”</p>
Image: CBS
14/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> The inimitable Jackée Harry. <strong>When:</strong> In 2021, only a few months after <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Hurricane Paulina blew into Salem. <strong>Why:</strong> In that gown, the <em>Another World</em> vet — the only African-American ever to win an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series — gives us the best kind of blues.</p>
Image: Jennifer Graylock/JPI
15/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Gina Tognoni. <strong>When:</strong> In 2005, a year prior to the daytime vet’s first Emmy win, for making the role of <em>Guiding Light</em> pot-stirrer Dinah her own. <strong>Why:</strong> The look, complete with henna-tattooed hands, is as unique as the actress who’d go on to win two trophies for <em>Guiding Light</em> and a third for playing Phyllis on <em>The Young and the Restless</em>.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
16/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Victoria Rowell. <strong>When:</strong> In 2004, midway through her comeback stint as Drucilla on <em>The Young and the Restless</em>. <strong>Why:</strong> We barely notice Radio City Music Hall in the background. Such a natutal born attention-getter is Rowell that the only thing that could <em>possibly</em> upstage her is her own magnificent headpiece.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
17/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Rebecca Herbst. <strong>When:</strong> In 1998, the year that she attended her first Daytime Emmys after joining the <em>General Hospital</em> cast as Elizabeth. <strong>Why:</strong> The fan favorite didn’t just wear the heck out of her beautiful dress, she is said to have designed it herself. Eat your heart out, Ridge Forrester!</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
18/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Shemar Moore. <strong>When:</strong> In 2005, half a decade after the former model was named Outstanding Supporting Actor for his work as Malcolm on <em>The Young and the Restless</em>. <strong>Why:</strong> The future <em>Criminal Minds</em> and <em>S.W.A.T.</em> star was as at-home in his modern-day zoot suit as he was on the carpet that matched it. Also, he’s Shemar Moore. That never hurts.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
19/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Annika Noelle. <strong>When:</strong> In 2018, when she was still establishing herself as the Rookie of the Year for the way that she’d stepped in and taken over the role of Hope on <em>The Bold and the Beautiful.</em> <strong>Why:</strong> We consider this look a preview of what could be in store if Noelle’s halo-clad character ever unleashes her inner supervixen.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
20/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Victoria Konefal and Olivia Rose Keegan. <strong>When:</strong> In 2019, the year that the <em>Days of Our Lives</em> castmates (who played Ciara and Claire, respectively) were both nominated for the last-ever Outstanding Younger Actress award.<strong> Why:</strong> Isn’t it obvious? If we had to pick which of them was more stylishly outfitted, we freakin’ couldn’t do it. Tens across the board!</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
21/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Bryton James. <strong>When:</strong> In 2009, just a couple of years after adding to his trophy case his first Daytime Emmy, for Outstanding Younger Actor. <strong>Why:</strong> Though we never would’ve even made it to the ceremony without coffee and wine stains all over that stunning suit, the <em>Young & Restless</em>’ Devon managed to. And dang, were his efforts ever worth it!</p>
Image: Lisa Rose/JPI
22/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Debbi Morgan. <strong>When:</strong> In 2003, 14 years after her bravura work as <em>All My Children</em>’s Angie made her the Daytime Emmys’ first African-American Outstanding Supporting Actress. <strong>Why:</strong> Just when you thought you knew what this outfit had in store, aha! She revealed that its color palette was broader than we’d imagined!</p>
Image: CBS
23/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Melissa Claire Egan. <strong>When:</strong> In 2021, as the <em>Young & Restless</em> leading lady and Outstanding Lead Actress nominee was counting down to the arrival of her firstborn. <strong>Why:</strong> So sleek is Egan’s silhouette in this maroon stunner, all we can say — and <em>enthusiastically</em> so — is, “Mamma mia!”</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
24/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Jeanne Cooper. <strong>When:</strong> In 2010, two years after <em>The Young and the Restless</em>’ regal Katherine was crowned Outstanding Lead Actress for the first time in her enviable showbiz career. <strong>Why:</strong> The kaftan wasn’t just tie-dye, it was to-die-for.</p>
Image: George De Sota/JPI
25/26
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Justin and Lindsay Hartley. <strong>When:</strong> In 2005, when the <em>Passions</em> castmates (who played Fox and Theresa) were still newlyweds. <strong>Why:</strong> In this photo, they pretty much epitomize “the perfect couple.” He went on to play Adam on <em>Young & Restless</em>, take primetime by storm on <em>This Is Us</em> and marry two more soap co-stars, and she appeared on <em>All My Children</em>, <em>Days of Our Lives</em> and <em>General Hospital.</em></p>
Image: Colin Knight/JPI
26/26
