Born and raised in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Messina graduated from Cornell University with a degree in architecture. His initial foray into the entertainment business was as set designer on the films "Mermaids" (directed by Richard Benjamin); "School Ties" (directed by Robert Mandel); and "HouseSitter" (directed by Frank Oz), all of which were filmed in the Boston area.
Following a move to Los Angeles, Messina served as art director on such films as "Hard Target" (directed by John Woo), "The Neon Bible" (directed by Terence Davies), "Reckless" (directed by Norman Rene), "The Associate" (directed by Donald Petrie), "Trial and Error" (directed by Jonathan Lynn), and "The Sixth Sense" (directed by M. Night Shyamalan).
He also designed the sets for DreamWorks' acclaimed NBC television series "Freaks and Geeks," which reteamed him with director Jake Kasdan. Messina had served as art director on Kasdan's feature directorial debut, "Zero Effect."
Messina is married to set decorator Kristen Toscano Messina, with whom he frequently collaborates.
