Donna L. Hill

[Paul E. Gierucki]

Am deeply saddened to report the unexpected passing of our longtime friend -- author, silent film historian, and collector, Donna Hill.

Donna was the authority on all things Valentino (see her book: Rudolph Valentino - The Silent Idol, His Life in Photographs) and, in addition to collaborating on some of our upcoming projects, she was preparing a new biography on Dorothy Gish.

Donna was one of the kindest, most thoughtful, and generous historians in our community. She always shared her vast knowledge and grand humor freely. No artifice, no pretense, not an insincere bone in her body. She was simply the best of the best.

Unfortunately no further details are available, I can only say that she will be greatly missed.

-- Paul E. Gierucki

[Richard M Roberts]

Very saddened to hear this unwanted and unexpected news. Donna was a fine person and a great researcher and film historian and was a great supporter of Slapsticon (though I'm not sure she was ever able to get to one in person).

She had me and Rob Farr on her STOLEN MOMENTS podcast several times to plug Slapsticon, I searched around the internet to see if those shows were still up on line anywhere but alas, they do not seem to be(though when I was googling it there appears to be another STOLEN MOMENTS podcast and another Donna Hill......I'm not kidding).

Glad to hear that she apparently died peacefully and suddenly in her sleep, the way to go if one has to, we wish her God Speed and send our condolences to her friends and family.

RICHARD M ROBERTS

[Paul E. Gierucki]

She was a regular at Cinecon (usually spotted with Joan Myers, and the rest of the Daughters of Naldi, holding court at the Pig and Whistle) but I cannot immediately recall her making the trek down for Slapsticon either. More's the pity.

I did, however, preserve a few of her STOLEN MOMENTS podcasts -- including those 2008 and 2010 Slapsticon entries!
All are welcome to download them here: https://we.tl/t-dhJ5ef42wK

-- PG

[Rob Farr]

I met Donna when she came to the very first Slapsticon in 2003. At that time she was living in rural Virginia. Soon thereafter she moved to SF, but I would see her occasionally at cons. She was one of the good ones and will be missed.