Salma Hayek ‘Deeply Saddened’ by ‘Frida’ Producer Jill Messick’s Death

Salma Hayek has paid tribute to the late producer and studio executive Jill Messick, who committed suicide on Wednesday at the age of 50.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Jill Messick,” Hayek said of Messick, who was an executive producer on Hayek’s 2002 Miramax film, “Frida.” “She always navigated the frustrating and hostile environment of Miramax with grace and elegance. She became my ally and my friend. In the many years we worked together I witnessed her professionalism while being pregnant, a mother and through incredible pressure. She was a girl’s girl and a romantic when it came to fighting for the underdog. I will forever be grateful for her support and kindness.”

Messick’s family said in a statement she was “broken” by seeing her name in the news surrounding Rose McGowan’s accusation that Harvey Weinstein raped her (Messick was McGowan’s manager at the time of the alleged rape). Last month, Weinstein’s team shared a quote from Messick, who last year supported Weinstein’s argument that his prior sexual involvement with McGowan was consensual.

Also Read:Producer Jill Messick Dead of Suicide at 50; Family Blames Rose McGowan-Harvey Weinstein Fight

“All Jill knew was that the matter was settled and that Rose continued making films with the Weinsteins. She never knew any details until recently, when Rose elected to make them public,” the statement said.

Messick worked as an executive producer on Relativity’s comedy “Masterminds,” Universal’s 2008 film “Baby Mama” and the 2007 comedy “Hot Rod.” She also served as an executive producer on the NBC series “Bad Judge.” Jill also served as an executive at the Paramount-based Lorne Michaels Productions. Her most recent film project is the upcoming Warner Bros. adaptation of “Minecraft” with Steve Carell.

Also Read:Salma Hayek Says She Rebuffed Harvey Weinstein's Sexual Advances Constantly With 'No'

Messick was a production executive at Weinstein’s Miramax from 1997 to 2003, where she also served as a co-executive producer on the 1999 film “She’s All That.” She was McGowan’s manager in 1997, the year McGowan said she was raped by Weinstein.

See Hayek’s Instagram post below.

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