Biography

Finola Hughes was born in London, England. Her parents nurtured a creative environment for their two children as they grew up. Hughes attended the Arts Educational Center, studying ballet, which lead to performing at the London’s Royal Opera House at the age of 11.

After graduating high school, she was accepted into a professional ballet company. Hughes left the company to take care of her mother. When her mother passed six months later, Finola decided to honor her mother by pushing forward, auditioning for and winning the role of Victoria the White Cat in the original London Production of Cats.

Hughes added a few TV and stage credits, before moving to the states and landing the role of Laura, John Travolta’s love interest in the sequel to Saturday Night Fever, Stayin’ Alive directed by Sylvester Stallone. The movie tanked but it introduced Finola to a wider audience.

Two years later, Hughes scored the role that would make her a fan favorite and a daytime legend. General Hospital auditioned Finola for the role of a spy named Anna Devane and she nailed it, beginning the journey of one character spread over three daytime and nighttime serials, General Hospital, General Hospital: The Night Shift and All My Children, where writers introduced Anna’s twin, Alex.

While the saga of Anna/Alex and the Scorpio family unraveled on the soaps, Finola continued adding credits to her growing resume. Hughes clocked into shows and film like L.A. Law, The Garry Shandling Show, The Bride in Black, Soapdish, Aspen Extreme, Burke’s Law, Dream On, The Dark Side of Genius, Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them and Above Suspicion.

Finola, when storyline allowed, added other recurring roles to her repertoire such as Chelsea on Jack’s Place, Carol on Blossom, Kate on Pacific Palisades, the voice of Lara on Superman the Animated Series, Helena on Sunset Beach and Patti Halliwell, the mother of Prue, Piper, Phoebe and Paige on the cult favorite, Charmed.

Other credits include Generation X, The Crying Child, Prison of Secrets, Life With Louie, Pocahontas 2: Journey to a New World, Love Boat: The Next Wave, Tracey Takes On, Intrepid, Killer Hair, CSI: NY, Make it or Break it, Melissa & Joey, Dance-off and Granite Flats.

Finola resides in Santa Barbara, California, with her husband Russell and their three children, Dylan, Cash and Sadie.

Fast Facts

• October 29, 1959 — Birthdate
• Her mother is Italian and her father is of Irish Descent.
• Studied ballet from the age of 10 through 17 at the Art’s Educational theatrical school.
• Originated the role of Victoria in the London production of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s beloved musical Cats.
• Created a jewelry line for home shopping network QVC in 2005.
• Co-authored, with Digby Diehl, the book Soapsuds: A Novel (2006), a fictionalized look at the behind-the-scenes world of soaps.
• Supports the Art of Elysium, a non-profit organization that provides artistic workshops for seriously ill children.

Relationships

• Bill Hughes — Father
• Maria Hughes — Mother
• Sean Hughes — Brother
• Russell Young — Spouse
• Dylan Joseph Young — Son
• Cash Justice Young — Son
• Sadie Beatrice Young — Daughter

Summary

Finola Hughes started out as a dancer, and got her first big break and taste of acting in 1983 after landing a role in Stayin’ Alive.

It was her role as Anna Devane on General Hospital in the middle of one of the hottest storylines, later her pairing with Tristin Rogers as Robert Scorpio creating another great super couple, that made Finola an international star.

Hughes’ acting career has kept a busy pace ever since with roles on L.A. Law, Soapdish, Burke’s Law, Blossom, Superman, Pacific Palisades, Sunset Beach, All My Children, Charmed and CSI: NY, not to mention a steady flow of voice-over work. Currently, she has signed on to double duty, playing both Anna and her twin Alex on General Hospital.