News
OLTL Alum Catherine Hickland Pens Touching Tribute To Mother-In-Law Debbie Reynolds, and Sister-In-Law Carrie Fisher

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Catherine Hickland, who fearlessly played the role of troublemaker Lindsay Rappaport on ABC’s One Life to Live, has recently suffered an unimaginable loss of two women very close to her, Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher.
As fans of Catherine know she is married to Reynolds son, Todd Fisher. In sharing her thoughts on the passing of both Debbie and Carrie, Hickland took to her website CatherineHickland.com to express her grief and thoughts on their sudden passing and what it meant to her in a blog post entitled, “No Words Remembering Debbie and Carrie.”
Catherine began her post stating: “I loved my mother in law. I feel so blessed to have been able to spend seven years with this magnificent woman. We had a lot in common, and we did some seriously good deep talking over those years. Neither of us cared much for small talk. What a relief for us both. Deep talking is what I love to do, which is probably why I make my living as a hypnotist. I love real life, real feelings, imagination, and life experience. I have so many memories of those conversations.”
She later related a funny and touching story about her nuptials to Todd and Carrie’s part in the ceremony: “When Todd and I decided to get married, Carrie, Debbie and Carrie’s incredible assistant, Byron, planned our wedding. Debbie was not feeling well when we decided to get married, and so Carrie thought it was best if we got married at her home so that Debbie could come and go easily if she didn’t feel well enough to stay during the reception. Carrie was Todd’s ‘best man.’ Carrie did what Carrie wanted and everyone understood that, so I didn’t think a thing of it when she smoked an e-cigarette throughout the entire ceremony. At one point she spontaneously suggested that Todd, I, and our friend and pastor Henry Cutrona, take a hit off of the ‘peace pipe’to seal the deal. What were we going to say? We all took a puff. The guests howled. During the prayer before the rings, when everyone’s eyes were closed, Carrie dropped the ring. ”
Later, Hickland came forth with her sorrow: “My being hurts. I’ve now been home for 5 days, the first three spent with my face planted in my pillow. My body finally fell apart. Three weeks of little to no sleep, incredible compounding stress, keeping emotions in check to get through what needed to be gotten through, all takes a toll. But then, you know all this. A broken heart is a broken heart, and who hasn’t had one of those? We are all in this life together.”
Throughout this memorial to Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher, Hickland truly made her sorrow relatable for anyone who has gone through the sudden loss of a loved one. It was a beautifully written account that we hope On-Air On-Soaps site visitors will take a moment to check out.
So, what did you think of the thoughts expressed by Catherine in her post on the passing of her mother and sister-in-law? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric

General Hospital’s Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) opened up about the burgeoning love triangle forming between his Port Charles alter-go, Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) after recently aired scenes, plus his hopes for the future of a Dante and Liz pairing, during his appearance on the Sunday, April 23 edition of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli).
On last week’s episodes of GH, Ric has made the decision that he wanted to propose to his ex-wife, only when he showed up at Elizabeth’s front door, he misread the scenario he walked in with Liz tending to Dante’s injured leg from the softball game. From there, the legal eagle’s jealous streak is reemerging which may cause him to act out and do something unforgivable, or will he take the high road? Stay tuned.
Speaking with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson about where Elizabeth stands in the annals of the long-running soap, Zamprogna said, “She’s up there with Steve and Maurice (Maurice Benard) as one of the most legacy-filled people on the show.”

Courtesy/ABC
HOW DANTE AND ELIZABETH CAME ABOUT
Dominic jokes it’s a far cry for where Dante and Elizabeth previously, recalling, “We had some scenes together years ago and we were both laughing. Becky’s like, ‘Well, I guess we’re not going be paired up anytime soon.’ I remember we laughed immediately after they yelled ‘cut,”‘and said to each other, ‘Well, so much for that!'”
Fast-forward to early 2025 and as Zamprogna remembered it, “Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) came up to me at the General Hospital Christmas party, and I think it was a year and a half ago and she said, ‘We’re going to have you in scenes with Elizabeth,’ My internal monologue is going, ‘I’m not with Lulu (Alexa Havins) anymore and Sam’s (Kelly Monaco) gone, so maybe they want to see if this works.’ I didn’t want to get scenes with Becky and try to find the chemistry. I just wanted to play whatever honestly was written and came across for both of us and hope it was what people liked, and I don’t know if it is … or not.”
Knowing how beloved Elizabeth is to the GH faithfuls, Zamprogna added, “She got a big fan base with Ric … and a big fan base with with Jason … and you know, you’re going to piss somebody off. But, didn’t Ric drug Elizabeth and put Carly in a panic room?”

Photo: ABC
DANTE AND ELIZABETH PAIRING COULD STIR UP STORY FOR OTHERS IN PORT CHARLES
In closing, Dominic felt that the wide-reaching tentacles of a Dante and Elizabeth relationship is something he is 100% down for. “The triangle thing; I was happy to hear it was with Ric and her, because I felt it’s important to have her the top of it as opposed to Dante, Lulu and Elizabeth.”
Zamprogna added, “When you get into relationships on a soap, things seem to fizzle out a little bit, The buildup is what’s the fun part, and the getting to know each other, and the people who are affected by this coming together. When with this case it’s going to affect: Ric, Sonny, Lulu. There’s so much more story here. To me, it’s going to be a fun story to play.”
You can check out Dominic’s visit to That’s Awesome with Steve and Bradford below.
Now weigh-in: Are you rooting for Dante and Liz, or Dante and Ric at this juncture of the story, or neither guy for Elizabeth? Let us know your thoughts and picks via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Mike Manning Lands Role in Indie Horror Feature ‘Deify’

While Smitty tries to hold the fort down in his marriage to congressman Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) and their two teenaged children, Samantha (Najah Jackson) and Tyrell (Jaden Lucas Miller) on Beyond the Gates, Emmy-winner Mike Manning has also landed another feature film role.
According to Deadline, Manning has joined the cast of Deify with 6 other new cast members for the indie psychological horror film starring Neal McDonough and Skeet Ulrich, which was previously announced last week.
Joining Manning as the latest cast addition are: Dennis Haysbert, Ashley Greene, Casey Harnett, Kirk Avecdo, Anji White, anf Nicholas Chimera who’s directing the pic also has a part in the film.
WHAT’S THE STORY OF DEIFY?
Taking to his Instagram with the news of his casting, Manning shared, “A movie about a cult? What could possibly go wrong? Come for the enlightenment. Stay because they won’t let you leave. DEIFY is coming…”
The movie is currently shooting in Chicago and in story, “a cult leader is put on trial after causing his devoted followers to be burned alive. The film is inspired in part by events surrounding the 1993 Waco, Texas, standoff between members of the Branch Davidians church and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, one of the largest civilian firefights ever recorded on American soil.”
MIKE MANNING IS A DAYTIME EMMY NOMINEE
In addition, the multi-talented Manning is a producer on the feature. Previously, Mike was nominated last month in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. He previously won an Emmy for his role on The Bay and for being a producer on the digital drama.
Mike’s previous credits include the role of Charlie Dale on Days of Our Lives and the Manny on This Is Us, plus various primetime and screen credits.
So intrigued to find what role Mike will play in the upcoming horror/cult film, Deify? Enjoying him as Smitty on Beyond the Gates? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)

At the conclusion of today’s August 21 episode of General Hospital, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) sings a lullaby to baby Dez, that went into a montage to close out the episode as her father Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) reports to Pentonville and winds up in his jail cell.
However, in a fun fact, the song entitled, “A Lonely Heart To Give” was actually written by none other than former One Life to Live and General Hospital actor, Patrick J. Gibbons.
Daytime fans first met Gibbons as Sam Manning on One Life to Live. At the time, when he started on the soap, he was just 5-years-old. Gibbons played the part from 2010-2013 on ABC and Prospect Park’s editions of the show. Fast-forward to 2018, Gibbons shows up on General Hospital as Wyatt Hoover, the scout who seemed always be injured, but in the thick of the drama. Patrick had appeared on GH multiple times as Wyatt including: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023.

Photo: ABC
FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER’S DEATH CAME THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS SONG
Now in 2026, General Hospital fans are getting to learn about another side of Gibbons’ talent as a songwriter and guitar player after “A Lonely Heart to Give” debuted today! Michael Fairman TV caught up with Patrick, who is now a senior at Penn State entering his final year as a finance major, to get the back-story of how his song wound up on GH!
Gibbons explained he wrote the song in honor of his grandmother who passed away a few years ago with whom he was, very, very close with. “Randomly, my grandmother had a downfall and passed away during the second semester of my sophomore year. I was in my dorm a lot and I was just playing with my guitar. And at the time, I was really into finger-style playing. I wrote the lyric and music to it (with a little help from my guitar teacher Lou), and my mom showed the rough demo to Frank Valentini (EP, General Hospital). He’s like an uncle to me. Frank loved it so much he said, “Finish that up. I want to hear the whole thing, and I want it on the show.”
MAKING MUSIC FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL
Gibbons and his parents took the next steps! “So now, all we needed was a female voice, because I thought that would fit the song well,” Patrick shared. “At the golf club we go to my parents were at a dinner. They liked the singer that was performing and spoke to her about the song, and she says she would like to bring it to her ‘boss’ who ended up being Eric Bazilian of the Hooters fame!” (Bazilian also wrote the smash hit song “One of Us” for Joan Osborne).
Next, “We went in the studio and recorded it and the song came together and it was beautiful. We loved it. They loved it at General Hospital and now they’re putting it the show and they are coming in with a piano, instead of a guitar. Paul Glass, the GH musical director, has been keeping us updated over the last six months of how it was coming along, and when it would air, and how GH put their own arrangement to it. I can’t wait to see and hear what they did with it.”

Photo: JPI
PATRICK’S ONE LIFE TO LIVE FAMILY
Everyone knows that the One Life to Live extended family share a very tight bond, and Patrick said he does stay in touch with a few of his former One Life to Live co-stars, especially those from the Manning family! “I stayed in touch with Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair) and sent her little videos here and there. She was like my second mom for five years. We keep in contact with Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) over X the most, and she can’t believe how big I’ve gotten. Like, none of them can! (laughs). I also loved working with Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) and Trevor St. John (ex-Todd and Victor Jr.), and to me since I was so young, they were just my friends, ‘Roger and Trevor,’ not Todd Manning or Victor Jr.”
It was a trip to California and a visit to Port Charles that ultimately led to Gibbons second soap role of Wyatt Hoover. Patrick explains, “In 2016, Frank Valentini invited us out to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital. I think he heard me say, ‘This is so much fun. I miss being on the set.’ He goes, ‘You should come out. I’ll bring you on the show. We can make you a character.'”
A few years later, Patrick’s dream became a reality! “Then, by the summer of 2018, I was playing Wyatt, the scout, and shared scenes with Wes Ramsey (Peter August), and the best was when I shared a scene with Roger Howarth and Michael Easton (ex-John, OLTL and ex-Silas, Finn et al, GH), it was like chemistry from the old days.”

Photo: PGibbons
IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS
As to his future aspirations, it’s a career in the finance game that has piqued Gibbons’ real-life interest. But never say never to a return to acting. Patrick explained, “I’ve always enjoyed numbers. And on top of that, one of the biggest parts of finance is being personable and outgoing.”
He continued, “That’s one of the greatest skills I developed growing up. I really love the markets. I’m super interested. I’m never going to close the door to acting. I’m always open to that because I just love it so much. It’s such a great art.”
Take note! If there are any investment bankers or private equity folks among the GH faithful looking for a young analyst next year, Patrick’s DMs are open. You can find him on X at @PatrickJGibbons.”
So, what did you think of the song sung by Trina on today’s GH that was written by Patrick J. Gibbons? Did you enjoy Patrick’s performances as One Life’s Sam and GH’s Wyatt? Would you like to see him back on GH at some point? Let us know via the comment section.
-

General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Maurice Benard Talks: New ‘Sonny’ Storyline, His Contract, and Three Characters He Would Want to See Back in Port Charles
-

Days Of Our Lives1 week agoHow John Oliver’s ‘Days of Our Lives’ Guest Star Turn as ‘Devlin St. John’ Came to an End
-

Days Of Our Lives6 days ago‘Veronica & Julian’ Feature Starring ‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Releases Key Art and More (Exclusive)
-

Breaking News7 days agoJohn Oliver Recaps His ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘General Hospital’ Soap Opera Experience on ‘Last Week Tonight’
-

General Hospital5 days ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Bryan Craig Cast in ‘The Weapon’
-

Breaking News1 week agoHayden Panettiere, ‘Guiding Light’ and ‘Nashville’ Alum, Dead at 36
-

Recaps1 week agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Sharon, Nick and Marie Struggle in Aftermath of a Relapse; Jade Harlow Shares She’s ‘Really Proud’ and ‘Grateful’ to ‘Show How Addiction Can Touch Anyone’ (Exclusive)
-

News1 week agoB&B’s Don Diamont Recalls His Soap Start on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and Confrontation with Exec Prod Al Rabin (Exclusive ‘Soapy’ Preview)


















A nice tribute. Why is she holding what appears to be a rooster in the photo here?
I found that rooster kind of odd myself.
Beautiful – understandable. So sad for her loss…the world will miss both Carrie and Debbie it almost seemed as if their souls were stories together -one would not live without the other…magical, wonderment — my
Mom said death is the next big adventure. I’m sure those two are Singing in the rain someplace there is no pain…
Beautiful tribute beautiful person inside and out. Its good to write out the feelings helps with the tremendous grief. This woman loves people, life, the planet and the animal kingdom. Memories are things that matter and live on hold them dear and close to the heart.
It was truly beautiful and heartfelt. The family has my deepest condolences and sympathy. Thank you Catherine Hickland for such a warm and loving account of your relationship with Debbie and Carrie you all where so lucky to have that deep of a bond with one another. Your words are beautiful and moving.
My condolences to Catherine and Todd. I’m glad she could share this story.
Very heartfelt! Sorry for your Loss, it’s everyone’s Loss.
Catherine,
To you and Todd deepest thoughts. A Mother and daughter leaving about same time is quite a shock.
Just hope God puts you both in his hands and guide the way for the future.
Love, Judy Vlcek
In a world filled with violence and opposing sides on every issue big or small getting nastier and nastier, I think what she said about all of us knowing what it is like to have a broken heart is profound in its simplicity – we are all human, life is filled with so much sorrow on its own, so why can’t we all be a be more kind to one other— and it might be as simple of being just that within our own circle, with friends, family, acquaintances or with strangers we might only meet once—I know this has nothing to do with DR or CF, but just felt the need to say it—
“Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another, right now.”
GET TOGETHER by The Youngbloods.
Love your message, Mary. This song is about fifty years old. The message was clean. It still resonates. But, we walk around with our eyes “open shut”. We are still in the same boat; well, the boat is now a ship.
It seems we are regressing, in this society. THE WORD means nothing, anymore. We should all give a positive word, as hard as it may seem….for the sake of humanity and unity. Love sounds more and more like an illusion and delusion. There should be no room for anything else……Hate will only divide us further.
We can see how fragile life is.
I get it, Mary.
And it does need to be said. Things are growing more acrimonious by the day and we have a president elect who seems to embody the worst of humanity.
Maybe he will surprise us and suddenly grow up at age seventy and stop with the idiotic, thin skinned, immature Tweets and finally rise up and become a leader of whom we are not so ashamed.
And, you add to the agitation, Harry. I do not think that was Mary’s intent. She is in Canada, and for her to suggest LOVE and PEACE, means so much to me, as I have clise relatives in Canada who get an earful from the media. Yet, they kerp an open mind.
Spread positivity instead of your negative spiel….pardon the “acrimony” with all due respect…..but, your litany is getting old. Who are the fascists?? Look up its definition, it may surprise you.
Your answer to Mary was the opposite of her intent. Give it up, Harry. This is a new kind of President, whether we like it or not. He will continue to tweet, and so he should.
It is the only way to get his truth across instead of it being spun by the media.
I will be in DC with bells on to support our country and the people’s President. If Hillary and Bill can do it, so can you. Holy gosh.
I am ready for any bashing with which anyone wants to attack me. Isn’t that the theme? I suppose what’s good for the goose is NOT hood for the gsnder. It’s a free country with freedom of speech for all.
Hi Harry…Nice to see you surfacing again…miss you being part of the soap dialogue. Wish it was under better circumstances. Gotta keep positive, even if it’s just “small” gestures of kindness. I truly believe miracles can happen. 🙂
Hi Mary SF…Your comment may not be directly related to Catherine’s comments about being heartbroken over Debbie and Carrie, but I have to think all three would agree with you. Kindness is such a lovely thought, and easy gesture to make when sincere. Better given when one can than when the moment has passed. Who knows…it can be like a little sunshine coming out from behind a cloud for someone. 🙂
I am so sorry for your loss.God be with you all.
Yes, this is what it’s about…loss and suffering. May they sleep their eternal sleep in peace, xmxascarol.
That’s her therapy animal/chicken (name unknown). The HBO documentary delves into it just a bit more. It is a wonderful and informative film about both mother and daughter.
Whose therapy chicken is it?
The rooster’s name is Nugget. He went everywhere with Catherine. Sadly, he passed away last year.
I really want to see that HBO documentary, but I don’t get HBO. Hopefully, it will make it to blu ray or regular cable tv.
Abadaba & Momby were my true to life Angel Queens because I kept praying to know who was talking to me…….who kept me believing…….I could hear them from far far away! Even before I knew their names. They were not imaginary……I am 65.
No lie….not making up stories……they know what I mean……you all in their family know…because they maybe physically removed have been transported to Higher Realms of our existance. As God is so busy Earthly Angels soon depart to quickly assist those in need in times of rapid changes so quickly must they serve as services were rendered borrowed for a while to change the needy who live on. Live on & on & on they say…..as life is to live in joyous sharing, in touching moments expressing the breath that breaths deep the love of never ever forgetting. Angels are among us as Angels we all are aware. Blessed be Abadaba & Momby because they are simply here but INVISIBLE……feel them? Hear them? See them?
Such a beautiful heartfelt Tribute to our Debbie & Carrie
Cat found the right words. My heart goes out to them. May God bless , wish I was a fly on the wall during their talks. Todd you have amazing wife
Love & prayers
The world lost two unique people. RIP
I can imagine how Catherine and Todd feels…
I felt a deep connection to Debbie and Carrie…
While I didn’t know them personally,I learned a lot from them in my upbringing…They been there my whole life and now they’re not…my heart is still choking me over feeling the loss and pain of missing them so much
Just beautiful. Grief Touches so many the same way, and how we choose to deal with it how we can get past it. Your words are an inspiration to show others that we’re not here in this world to control what they do but to support and love them, thank you so much for your touching words. And may God speed to healing for you and your husband.
Thank youCatherine for sharing your personal thoughts & experience. Utterly painful, that kind of loss. As a survivor of this as well, I send my love and best wishes for gentle recovery. God bless you and your entire family
The rooster Catherine is carrying is a white Leghorn bantam rooster. I believe it’s name is “little” if it is the baby chick she is holding on her twitter page with the caption “watching Little grow”. The rooster appears to be young as his legs are still yellow. They fade to white as the bird gets older. Good for Catherine! most people have no idea how wonderful and therapeutic it is to keep chickens. They all have their own unique little personalities and readily bond to humans.
I was thinking of her when I heard of the deaths of these two. I wish her and her family the best during this very hard time.
I read Cat’s full post and it was beautiful. She was so lucky to have heard Debbie’s stories.
It’s worse than being kept in a cage! Every time I see pictures of Katherine she’s clutching the bird. As much as I understand support animals but a rooster is suppose to be free and that one ain’t! Not good.
On the topic of the story, so sad for her entire family losing two beautiful souls so fast