Jeniene Mapp-Testa, the children’s television host best known for her role on Saturday Disney in the 90s, has died.
The media personality passed away last week after ongoing dialysis treatment.
Mapp-Testa was an original host of Saturday Disney from 1990 alongside James Sherry and Sofie Formica.
She worked with Disney Australia for 14 years before launching Disney Channel in Australia, hosting Studio D and Playhouse Disney from 1997 to 2003.
Mapp-Testa often documented her dialysis treatment on social media, with her final Instagram post saw her thanking the hospital staff for making her birthday ‘so special’.
Jeniene Mapp-Testa (pictured), a children’s television host from the 90s and best known for her role on Saturday Disney, has died
Fellow television host Shelley Craft shared a tribute to the star via social media on Sunday.
Craft took over Mapp-Testa’s hosting duties on Saturday Disney in 1996.
‘This week saw the passing of Jeniene Mapp Testa. One of the OG Disney hosts in Australia,’ she captioned her post.
The media personality passed away last week after ongoing dialysis treatment
‘An incredible bright light and a young girl that gave her all, entertaining kids every Saturday Morning for many many years. I did my best to step in Jeniene’s shoes in my first tv job on Saturday Disney but I knew it was going to be a Mammoth task.’
Craft continued: ‘Jeniene supported me so kindly and helped me navigate the world of Aussie showbiz. Our paths have crossed over the last 20 odd years, we always felt like we were Disney family forever.’
‘My heart breaks for your family. Your larger than life personality, your ability to make everyone around you feel special, Your incredible 1000watt smile,’ she concluded. ‘Rest in Peace beautiful lady.’
Mapp-Testa was an original host of Saturday Disney from 1990, before stepping down in 1996 when Shelley Craft took on the role
Mapp-Testa often documented her dialysis treatment on social media, with her final Instagram post saw her thanking the hospital staff for making her birthday ‘so special’
Lisa Cakar (née Barry), another former Saturday Disney host, also shared a tribute.
‘I said goodbye to you this week, said all the things I wanted to say … I hope you heard me,’ she wrote to Instagram on Saturday.
‘I hope you heard me say “Thank you for the friendship, memories, and lessons you shared with me. I wish I had seen you more. I hope you know how loved you are and the impact your passing has had on so many…. It’s not goodbye it’s…..until our souls reconnect again.”‘
She worked with Disney Australia for 14 years before launching Disney Channel in Australia, hosting Studio D and Playhouse Disney from 1997 to 2003