Erika Slezak: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|American actress}} | {{short description|American actress}} | ||
{{Use American English|date=July 2020}} | {{Use American English|date=July 2020}} | ||
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}} | {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}} | ||
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| caption = Erika Slezak with her father, Walter Slezak, on the set of ''One Life to Live'' (1974) | | caption = Erika Slezak with her father, Walter Slezak, on the set of ''One Life to Live'' (1974) | ||
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1946|08|05}} | | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1946|08|05}} | ||
| birth_place | | birth_place = [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], [[California]], U.S. | ||
| alma_mater = [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts]] | | alma_mater = [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts]] | ||
| birth_name = | | birth_name = | ||
| Line 16: | Line 15: | ||
| spouse = {{plainlist| | | spouse = {{plainlist| | ||
* {{marriage|Robert Daniel Mooney|1968|1971}} | * {{marriage|Robert Daniel Mooney|1968|1971}} | ||
* {{marriage|Brian Davies | * {{marriage|Brian Davies|1978}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
| children = 2 | | children = 2 | ||
| parents = [[Walter Slezak]] <br />Johanna Van Rijin | | parents = [[Walter Slezak]] <br />Johanna Van Rijin | ||
| relatives = [[Margarete Slezak]] (aunt) <br/> [[Leo Slezak]] (grandfather) | | relatives = [[Margarete Slezak]] (aunt) <br/> [[Leo Slezak]] (grandfather) | ||
| known_for = [[Victoria Lord]] | | known_for = [[Victoria Lord]] | ||
| television = ''[[One Life to Live]]'' | | television = ''[[One Life to Live]]'' | ||
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}} | }} | ||
'''Erika Slezak''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|l|eɪ|z|æ|k}}; born August 5, 1946)<ref name="SOD stats">{{cite web|url= | '''Erika Alma Slezak''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|l|eɪ|z|æ|k}}; born August 5, 1946)<ref name=Wedding>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/05/21/archives/erika-a-slezak-is-wed-to-actor-daniel-mooney.html|title=Erika A. Slezak/ Is Wed to Actor, Daniel Mooney|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|publisher=[[The New York Times Company]]|issn=0362-4331|oclc=1645522|date=May 21, 1968|access-date=October 9, 2025}}</ref><ref name="SOD stats">{{cite web|url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/actors/erika-slezak/|title=SOAP STAR STATS: Erika Slezak (Viki, ''OLTL'')|author=SOD|website=[[Soap Opera Digest]]|publisher=[[American Media, Inc.]]|location=United States|access-date=February 20, 2009}}</ref> is an American actress, best known for her role as [[Victoria Lord|Victoria "Viki" Lord]] on the American daytime [[soap opera]] ''[[One Life to Live]]'' from 1971 through the television finale in 2012 and again in the online revival in 2013. She is one of the [[list of longest-serving soap opera actors#United States|longest-serving serial actors in American media]]. For her portrayal of Viki, she won six [[Daytime Emmy Awards]], the most of any daytime drama actress. | ||
==Life and career== | ==Life and career== | ||
| Line 33: | Line 32: | ||
===''One Life to Live''=== | ===''One Life to Live''=== | ||
{{ | {{See also|Victoria Lord}} | ||
In 1971, Slezak auditioned for the role of nurse Mary Kennicott on the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] [[soap opera]] ''[[All My Children]]''. She was not cast on that show, but the network offered her the role of [[Victoria Lord|Victoria "Viki" Lord Riley]] on ''[[One Life to Live]]'' (''OLTL'').<ref name="SOD stats"/> In her 42 years in the role, Slezak won six [[Daytime Emmy Award]]s, which is an Emmy record for a female performer.<ref name="SOD stats"/> | In 1971, Slezak auditioned for the role of nurse Mary Kennicott on the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] [[soap opera]] ''[[All My Children]]''. She was not cast on that show, but the network offered her the role of [[Victoria Lord|Victoria "Viki" Lord Riley]] on ''[[One Life to Live]]'' (''OLTL'').<ref name="SOD stats"/> In her 42 years in the role, Slezak won six [[Daytime Emmy Award]]s, which is an Emmy record for a female performer.<ref name="SOD stats"/> | ||
In 2007, Slezak voiced strong criticism of ''OLTL''{{'s}} then-[[head writer]], [[Dena Higley]]. In the March 2007 edition of Slezak's fan club newsletter, she stated, "Dena doesn't care about the rich history of the show, which is evident in what she writes" and that Higley "wants to write stories that she thinks are interesting but nobody else does."<ref>{{Cite web| title=The Erika Slezak Fan Club, in its 35th year, presents... Erika's World | date=2007 | In 2007, Slezak voiced strong criticism of ''OLTL''{{'s}} then-[[head writer]], [[Dena Higley]]. In the March 2007 edition of Slezak's fan club newsletter, she stated, "Dena doesn't care about the rich history of the show, which is evident in what she writes" and that Higley "wants to write stories that she thinks are interesting but nobody else does."<ref>{{Cite web| title=The Erika Slezak Fan Club, in its 35th year, presents... Erika's World | date=March 22, 2007 | url=http://erika_slezak.tripod.com/ESFC/March07.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809221146/http://erika_slezak.tripod.com/ESFC/March07.pdf | archive-date=August 9, 2007}}</ref> [[Ron Carlivati]] was subsequently made co-head writer, with Higley ultimately leaving the series in September 2007. In August 2007. ''OLTL'' celebrated its 10,000th episode.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3dpDAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA5&dq=%22Erika+Slezak%22&article_id=2858,2132393&hl|title='One Life' celebrates milestone|first=Cathy|last=Higgins|newspaper=[[The Albany Herald]]|publisher=The Georgia Trust for Local News|oclc= 12531100|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|page=5|date=August 14, 2007|access-date=October 6, 2025}}</ref> | ||
In April 2011, ABC announced that ''OLTL'' would be cancelled, with its final airdate in January 2012.<ref>{{cite | In April 2011, ABC announced that ''OLTL'' would be cancelled, with its final airdate in January 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abc13.com/archive/8073021/|title=ABC to end "All My Children," "One Life to Live"|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|website=[[KTRK-TV]]|publisher=[[ABC Owned Television Stations]]|date=April 30, 2011|access-date=October 13, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/ghs-maurice-benard-on-abc-canceling-amc-and-oltl-they-made-a-big-mistake/|title=GH’s Maurice Benard on ABC Canceling AMC and OLTL: ‘They Made a Big Mistake’|first=Chris|last=Eades|website=[[Soap Opera Digest]]|publisher=[[American Media, Inc.]]|location=United States|date=May 5, 2025|access-date=October 13, 2025}}</ref> However, media company [[Prospect Park (production company)|Prospect Park]] licensed the creative rights to the show from ABC in July 2011 and announced that they would migrate the series to an online format. In September 2011, Slezak confirmed she would be participating in the new version show, along with other regular cast members. The Prospect Park project stalled in November 2011, and ''OLTL'' ended its run on ABC as scheduled. In early 2013, Prospect Park announced it was moving forward with their online versions of ''One Life to Live'' and ''All My Children'', with Slezak confirmed on board. The revived series, taped in [[Stamford, Connecticut]], premiered on [[Hulu]], [[Hulu Plus]], and [[iTunes]] on April 29, 2013, and ran through August 19, 2013.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/01/22/all-my-children-one-life-to-live-update-whos-in-whos-out-for-online-return/ | title=''All My Children'', ''One Life to Live'' update: Who's in for online return |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=Lynette |last=Rice |date=January 22, 2013 |access-date=March 10, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Erika-Slezak-Returns-1063141.aspx?rss=breakingnews&partnerid=imdb&profileid=01 | title=Sneak Peek: Erika Slezak Returns to ''One Life to Live'' |work=[[TV Guide]] |author-link=Michael Logan (journalist) |first=Michael |last=Logan |date=March 25, 2013 |access-date=March 10, 2015}}</ref> | ||
===Other projects=== | ===Other projects=== | ||
Slezak portrayed Jean Roberts in the 1996 [[television film]] adaptation of [[Danielle Steel]]'s novel ''[[Full Circle (novel)|Full Circle]]''.<ref name="SOD stats"/> | Slezak portrayed Jean Roberts in the 1996 [[television film|made-for-TV movie]] adaptation of [[Danielle Steel]]'s novel ''[[Full Circle (novel)|Full Circle]]''.<ref name="SOD stats"/><ref name=Scott>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/danielle-steel-s-full-circle-1200446953/|title=Danielle Steel's ''Full Circle''|first=Tony|last=Scott|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|issn=0042-2738|oclc=60626328|date=September 9, 1996|access-date=October 6, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Full_Circle/gjKuDAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover|title=Full Circle|first=Danielle|last=Steel|author-link=Danielle Steel|publisher=[[Dell Publishing#Imprints|Delacorte Press]]|location=[[New York City]]|format=[[Hardcover]]|edition=1st|year=1984|isbn=978-0385293266|oclc=12459978}}</ref> In 2000, Slezak was on ''[[The Rosie O'Donnell Show]]'' to talk about her career.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ogsdAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA137&dq=%22Erika+Slezak%22&article_id=1016,1153084&hl|title="Erika Slezak", "Kathy Griffin"|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|newspaper=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]]|publisher=[[Gannett]]|issn= 2641-4503|oclc=51645638|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|page=137|date=June 16, 2000|access-date=October 6, 2025}}</ref> In 2002, she was on ''[[Intimate Portrait]]'' as herself about her career.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9xZSAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA30&dq=%22Erika+Slezak%22&article_id=5283,1258821&hl|title="Erika Slezak"|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|newspaper=[[Times Union (Albany)|Times Union]]|publisher=[[Hearst Corporation|Hearst Communication]]|issn=8756-5927|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|page=30|date=July 6, 2002|access-date=October 6, 2025}}</ref> In 2005, Slezak was on ''[[The View]]'' to talk about her career.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZDEzAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA49&dq=%22Erika+Slezak%22&article_id=2479,7221521&hl|title="Jerry Lewis, "Erika Slezak"|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|newspaper=[[The Free Lance-Star]]|publisher=[[Lee Enterprises]]|issn=2157-4979|oclc=31810388|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|page=49|date=October 23, 2005|access-date=October 6, 2025}}</ref> | ||
In April 2018, | In April 2018, she appeared as Dr. Eileen Jacoby on the [[Fox (TV network)|Fox]] series ''[[The Resident (TV series)|The Resident]]'', in the episode "Haunted".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/tonight-one-life-to-lives-erika-slezak-returns-to-television-in-the-resident/2018/04/16/|title=TONIGHT: ''One Life to Live''{{'s}} Erika Slezak Returns To Television In ''The Resident''|website=[[On-Air On-Soaps]]|first=Michael|last=Fairman|author-link=Michael Fairman (journalist)|date=April 16, 2018|access-date=April 17, 2018|archive-date=April 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418032120/http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/tonight-one-life-to-lives-erika-slezak-returns-to-television-in-the-resident/2018/04/16/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The following year, Slezak starred alongside [[Jeff Daniels]] in the film ''[[Guest Artist]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soapcentral.com/oltl/news/2019/0207-erika_slezak_jeff_daniels_guest_artist.php|title=OLTL's Erika Slezak stars in new Jeff Daniels film Guest Artist|website=soapcentral.com}}</ref><ref name=Detroit>{{cite news|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/movies/2020/07/21/jeff-daniels-guest-artist-heads-home-viewing-platforms/5482589002/|title=Jeff Daniels' 'Guest Artist' heads to home viewing platforms|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|newspaper=[[The Detroit News]]|publisher=[[Digital First Media]]|issn=1055-2715|date=July 21, 2020|accessdate=October 6, 2025}}</ref><ref name=Roeper>{{cite news|url= https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2020/7/20/21330273/guest-artist-review-jeff-daniels-movie|title='Guest Artist' loses steam soon after arriving at the station|first=Richard|last=Roeper|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|publisher=[[Chicago Public Media]]|issn=1553-8478|oclc=51500916|date=July 20, 2020|accessdate=October 6, 2025}}</ref><ref name=Linden>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/guest-artist-1191271|title=''Guest Artist'': Film Review|first=Sheri|last=Linden|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]]|issn=0018-3660|oclc=44653726|date=March 6, 2019|accessdate=October 6, 2025}}</ref> She was interviewed for an episode of the [[ABC News (United States)|ABC news]] program ''[[20/20 (American TV program)|20/20]]'' which focused on the murder of actress [[Rebecca Schaeffer]], who appeared on ''One Life to Live'' in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/one-life-to-live-erika-slezak-2020-documentary-rebecca-schaeffer-170312|title=Erika Slezak Appears in ''20/20'' Documentary About Rebecca Schaeffer's Murder|first=Chris|last=Eades|work=[[ABC Soaps In Depth]]|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]|location=United States|date=April 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/current/2019/04/08/136624/2020-presents-two-hour-documentary-on-murdered-actress-rebecca-schaeffer|title=''20/20'' presents two-hour documentary on murdered actress Rebecca Schaeffer|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|newspaper=[[Niagara County Tribune/Sentinel]]|publisher=Niagara Frontier Publications|oclc=30453701|date=April 8, 2019|access-date=October 6, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/2019/04/2020-revisits-the-tragic-case-of-portland-raised-actress-rebecca-schaeffer.html|title=''20/20'' revisits the tragic case of Portland-raised actress Rebecca Schaeffer|first=Kristi|last=Turnquist|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|publisher=[[Advance Publications]]|issn=8750-1317|oclc=985410693|date=April 8, 2019|access-date=October 6, 2025}}</ref> Slezak further guest-starred on the CBS police drama ''[[Blue Bloods (TV series)|Blue Bloods]]'';<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/entertainment/erika-slezak-talks-blue-bloods-on-cbs-guest-artist-success/article/548312|title=Erika Slezak talks 'Blue Bloods' on CBS, 'Guest Artist,' success (Includes interview)|date=April 24, 2019|website=www.digitaljournal.com}}</ref> she returned to series in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/649775/one-life-to-live-when-is-erika-slezak-returning-to-blue-bloods/|title=One Life to Live Legend Announces Her Exciting Return to the Screen|first=Amy|last=Mistretta|date=October 26, 2022}}</ref> | ||
In | In 2021, Slezak was in the television movie ''Next Stop, Christmas'' as Aunt Myrtle.<ref name=Next>{{cite web|url=https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2021/08/erika-slezak-to-appear-in-next-stop-christmas-for-hallmark-channel|title=Erika Slezak to Appear in 'Next Stop Christmas' for Hallmark Channel|first=Errol|last=Lewis|work=[[Soap Opera Network]]|publisher=Manti, Inc.|date=August 30, 2021|access-date=October 6, 2025}}</ref> In June 2025, it was announced she signed a short-term deal to appear on ''[[General Hospital]]'';<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fairman |first1=Michael |author1-link=Michael Fairman (journalist) |title=Breaking news: Erika Slezak to join the cast of ''General Hospital'', six-time Daytime Emmy-winner signs short term deal |url=https://michaelfairmantv.com/erika-slezak-joins-cast-general-hospital/2025/06/12/ |website=[[Michael Fairman TV]] |access-date=June 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250612200057/https://michaelfairmantv.com/erika-slezak-joins-cast-general-hospital/2025/06/12/ |archive-date=June 12, 2025 |location=United States |date=June 12, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sloane |first1=Stephanie |title=Monica's farewell, fallout from Drew's shooting and more to expect on ''General Hospital'' this fall |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1213183/general-hospital-fall-2025-preview-returns-storylines-spoilers/ |website=[[TV Insider]] |access-date=September 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250905161658/https://www.tvinsider.com/1213183/general-hospital-fall-2025-preview-returns-storylines-spoilers/ |archive-date=September 5, 2025 |location=United States |date=September 5, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> she filmed the role of Ronnie Bard for three weeks, concluding on September 26,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Errol |title=Erika Slezak wraps limited run on ''General Hospital'' asme day she debuts in Port Charles |url=https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2025/09/erika-slezak-wraps-limited-run-general-hospital |publisher=[[Soap Opera Network]] |access-date=September 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250926172603/https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2025/09/erika-slezak-wraps-limited-run-general-hospital |archive-date=September 26, 2025 |location=United States |date=September 25, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> which also coincided with her first episodic appearance.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Sloane |first1=Stephanie |title=Soap Scoop |magazine=[[TV Guide (magazine)|TV Guide]] |volume=73 |issue=39 (3820-3822) |location=United States |page=4 |date=September 29 – October 19, 2025 |issn=0039-8543}}</ref> She exited the role on November 6, 2025.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Brounstein |first1=Diane |last2=Levinsky |first2=Mara |title=Comings and goings for ''GH'', ''Y&R'', ''DAYS'', ''B&B'' and ''BTG'' the week of November 3 |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/comings-and-goings-cast-changes-for-gh-yr-days-bb-and-btg-as-of-november-3/ |magazine=[[Soap Opera Digest]] |access-date=November 3, 2025 |location=United States |date=November 3, 2025 |issn=0164-3584}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Levinsky |first1=Mara |title=—GH comings and goings: Erika Slezak opens up about end of Ronnie run (Excl) |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-goings-erika-slezak-reflects-on-ronnie-run-on-eve-of-final-episode-excl/ |magazine=[[Soap Opera Digest]] |access-date=November 5, 2025 |location=United States |date=November 5, 2025 |issn=0164-3584}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Fairman |first1=Michael |author1-link=Michael Fairman (journalist) |title=Erika Slezak, who exits ''General Hospital'' as Ronnie Bard, says she would be, 'open to coming back' |url=https://michaelfairmantv.com/erika-slezak-exits-general-hospital-open-to-coming-back/2025/11/05/ |publisher=[[Michael Fairman TV]] |access-date=November 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251107024240/https://michaelfairmantv.com/erika-slezak-exits-general-hospital-open-to-coming-back/2025/11/05/ |archive-date=November 7, 2025 |location=United States |date=November 5, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> Her next role was in ''[[Song Sung Blue (film)|Song Sung Blue]]'' (2025), where she plays Frances Stingl, mother to [[Kate Hudson]]'s [[Claire Sardina]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://people.com/soap-legend-erika-slezak-joining-general-hospital-11754347|title=One Life to Live Alum Erika Slezak Set to Join General Hospital This Fall: A 'Daytime Legend'|first=Carson|last=Blackwelder|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|publisher=[[People Inc.]]|issn=0093-7673|oclc=794712888|date=June 13, 2025|access-date=October 9, 2025}}</ref> The film premiered at the [[American Film Institute|AFI Film Festival]] on October 26, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/09/song-sung-blue-premiere-to-close-afi-fest-hugh-jackman-kate-hudson-1236527675/|title='Song Sung Blue' World Premiere To Close AFI Fest First Look|first=Erik|last=Pedersen|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|date=September 10, 2025|access-date=October 29, 2025|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250910182440/https://deadline.com/2025/09/song-sung-blue-premiere-to-close-afi-fest-hugh-jackman-kate-hudson-1236527675/|archive-date=September 10, 2025}}</ref> | ||
==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
Slezak | Slezak married Robert Daniel Mooney in 1968 in [[Milwaukee]]<ref name=Wedding/> and divorced in 1971.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}} She married Brian Davies on April 4, 1978,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soaphub.com/general-hospital/news-gh/soap-opera-icon-and-legend-erika-slezak-celebrates-her-birthday/#flyout-close|title=Soap Opera Legend And Icon Erika Slezak Celebrates Her Birthday|first=Garren|last=Waldo|website=[[Soap Hub]]|publisher=AllGear Digital|date=August 5, 2023|access-date=October 9, 2025}}</ref> and is the mother of two children, Michael and Amanda.<ref name="SOD stats"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/amanda-davies-daughter-soap-star-041603454.html|title=Amanda Davies, One Life to Live Alum and Daughter of Soap Legend Erika Slezak, Dead at 42|date=January 29, 2024|website=Yahoo Entertainment|access-date=January 29, 2024}}</ref> In 2003, Amanda Davies played a teenaged version of her mother's character Victoria in [[Flashback (narrative)|flashback]] scenes on ''One Life to Live''.<ref name="SOD stats"/> Amanda Davies died on January 29, 2024.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/amanda-davies-daughter-one-life-live-actor-erika-slezak-dies-rcna136318|title=Amanda Davies, daughter of 'One Life to Live' actor Erika Slezak, dies at 42|first=Liz|last=Calvario|website=[[NBC News]]|publisher=[[NBCUniversal Media Group#NBCUniversal News Group|NBCUniversal News Group]]|date=January 30, 2024|access-date=January 29, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://people.com/amanda-elizabeth-davies-dead-42-daughter-one-life-to-live-star-erika-slezak-8551838|title=Amanda Davies, One Life to Live Alum and Daughter of Soap Legend Erika Slezak, Dead at 42|first=Angel|last=Saunders|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|publisher=[[People Inc.]]|issn=0093-7673|oclc=794712888|date=January 30, 2024|access-date=October 13, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/amanda-davies-dead-soap-icon-erika-slezak-daughter-1235810372/|title=Amanda Davies, Daughter of Soap Icon Erika Slezak, Dies at 42|first=Kevin|last=Dolak|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]]|issn=0018-3660|oclc=44653726|date=January 30, 2024|access-date=October 13, 2025}}</ref> | ||
==Awards== | ==Awards== | ||
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! Year !! Award | ! Year !! Award | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1984 || [[Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series]] for ''[[One Life to Live]]''<ref name="Emmy 1984">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1984/index.html|title=Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1984|publisher= | | 1984 || [[Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series]] for ''[[One Life to Live]]''<ref name="Emmy 1984">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1984/index.html|title=Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1984|author=SOD|website=[[Soap Opera Digest]]|publisher=[[American Media, Inc.]]|location=United States|access-date=February 20, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402151614/http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1984/index.html|archive-date=April 2, 2009}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1986 || Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for ''One Life to Live''<ref name="Emmy 1986">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1986/index.html |title=Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1986 |publisher= | | 1986 || Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for ''One Life to Live''<ref name="Emmy 1986">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1986/index.html |title=Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1986 |author=SOD|website=[[Soap Opera Digest]]|publisher=[[American Media, Inc.]]|location=United States|access-date=February 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527180514/http://soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1986/index.html |archive-date=May 27, 2006 }}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1992 || Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for ''One Life to Live''<ref name="Emmy 1992">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1992/index.html|title=Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1992|publisher= | | 1992 || Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for ''One Life to Live''<ref name="Emmy 1992">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1992/index.html|title=Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1992|author=SOD|website=[[Soap Opera Digest]]|publisher=[[American Media, Inc.]]|location=United States|access-date=February 20, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527183727/http://soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1992/index.html|archive-date=May 27, 2006}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1995 || Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for ''One Life to Live''<ref name="Emmy 1995">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1995/index.html|title=Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1995|publisher= | | 1995 || Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for ''One Life to Live''<ref name="Emmy 1995">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1995/index.html|title=Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1995|author=SOD|website=[[Soap Opera Digest]]|publisher=[[American Media, Inc.]]|location=United States|access-date=February 20, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527182335/http://soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1995/index.html|archive-date=May 27, 2006}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1996 || Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for ''One Life to Live''<ref name="Emmy 1996">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1996/index.html|title=Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1996|publisher= | | 1996 || Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for ''One Life to Live''<ref name="Emmy 1996">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1996/index.html|title=Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1996|author=SOD|website=[[Soap Opera Digest]]|publisher=[[American Media, Inc.]]|location=United States|access-date=February 20, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603195636/http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners1996/index.html|archive-date=June 3, 2009}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2005 || Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for ''One Life to Live''<ref name="Emmy 2005">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners2005/index.html|title=Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 2005|publisher= | | 2005 || Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for ''One Life to Live''<ref name="Emmy 2005">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners2005/index.html|title=Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 2005|author=SOD|website=[[Soap Opera Digest]]|publisher=[[American Media, Inc.]]|location=United States|access-date=February 20, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603011648/http://www.soapoperadigest.com/Emmys/winners2005/index.html|archive-date=June 3, 2009}}</ref> | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 85: | Line 84: | ||
! class="unsortable"| Notes | ! class="unsortable"| Notes | ||
|- | |- | ||
|1971–2013 | | 1971–2013 | ||
|''[[One Life to Live]]'' | | ''[[One Life to Live]]'' | ||
|[[Victoria Lord]] | | [[Victoria Lord]] | ||
|Series regular | | Series regular | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | 1977 | ||
|''[[ | | ''[[WLS-TV#Former syndicated programming produced in Chicago|A.M. Chicago]]'' | ||
| | | Self | ||
| | | Episode dated November 3, 1977 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | 1978 | ||
|''[[ | | ''[[The Phil Donahue Show|Donahue]]'' | ||
| | | Self | ||
|Episode | | Episode dated March 21, 1978 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | 1978–83 | ||
|''[[ | | ''[[Family Feud]]'' | ||
| | | Self–Celebrity contestant | ||
| | | 3 episodes | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | 1996 | ||
|''[[ | | ''[[Full Circle (novel)#Adaptation|Full Circle]]'' | ||
| | | Jean Roberts | ||
| | | [[Television film|Made-for-TV movie]] [[Television director|directed]] by [[Bethany Rooney]]<ref name=Scott/> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | 1996–2002 | ||
|''[[ | | ''[[The Rosie O'Donnell Show]]'' | ||
| | | Self | ||
| | | 4 episodes | ||
|- | |- | ||
|2021 | | 2000–02 | ||
| ''[[Intimate Portrait]]'' | |||
| Self | |||
| Episodes: "[[Linda Dano]]", "Erika Slezak" | |||
|- | |||
| 2001 | |||
| ''[[Special Unit 2]]'' | |||
| Nick's Mother | |||
| Episode: "The Years" | |||
|- | |||
| 2003–2012 | |||
| ''[[The View]]'' | |||
| Self | |||
| 4 episodes | |||
|- | |||
| 2018 | |||
| ''[[The Resident (TV series)|The Resident]]'' | |||
| Dr. Eileen Jacoby | |||
| Episode: "Haunted" | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2" | 2019 | |||
| ''[[Guest Artist]]'' | |||
| Helen | |||
| [[Drama (film and television)|Drama film]] [[Film director|directed]] by [[Timothy Busfield]]<ref name=Detroit/><ref name=Roeper/><ref name=Linden/> | |||
|- | |||
| ''[[20/20 (U.S. TV program)|20/20]]'' | |||
| Self | |||
| Episode: "Your Biggest Fan" | |||
|- | |||
| 2019, 2022 | |||
| ''[[Blue Bloods (TV series)|Blue Bloods]]'' | |||
| Donna Duvall | |||
| Episodes: "Identity" and "Nothing Sacred" | |||
|- | |||
| 2021 | |||
| ''Next Stop, Christmas'' | | ''Next Stop, Christmas'' | ||
| Aunt Myrtle | | Aunt Myrtle | ||
| | | Made-for-TV movie directed by [[Dustin Rikert]]<ref name=Next/> | ||
|- | |||
| 2025 | |||
| ''[[General Hospital]]'' | |||
| Veronica Bard | |||
| Role held from September 26 to November 6, 2025 | |||
|- | |- | ||
|2025 | | 2025 | ||
|''[[Song Sung Blue (film)|Song Sung Blue]]'' | | ''[[Song Sung Blue (film)|Song Sung Blue]]'' | ||
| | | Frances Stingl | ||
| | | [[biographical film|Biographical]] [[musical film|musical]] drama film directed by [[Craig Brewer]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{ | {{reflist}} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 16:34, 7 November 2025
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Wikidata image
Erika Alma Slezak (Template:IPAc-en; born August 5, 1946)[1][2] is an American actress, best known for her role as Victoria "Viki" Lord on the American daytime soap opera One Life to Live from 1971 through the television finale in 2012 and again in the online revival in 2013. She is one of the longest-serving serial actors in American media. For her portrayal of Viki, she won six Daytime Emmy Awards, the most of any daytime drama actress.
Life and career
Slezak was born in Hollywood, California, of Czech, Austrian, German-Jewish and Dutch descent, the daughter of Tony Award-winning Austrian actor Walter Slezak and Johanna "Kaasi" Van Rijn, and the granddaughter of opera tenor Leo Slezak.[2][3] Her godmother was Alma Mahler-Werfel. She was born two months after her grandfather died. Raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, Slezak attended high school at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Eden Hall in Torresdale, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At age 17, she became one of the youngest individuals ever accepted into London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, later graduating in 1966.[2] Establishing a noteworthy reputation in theater, she performed in Milwaukee, Chicago and Houston.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
One Life to Live
Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". In 1971, Slezak auditioned for the role of nurse Mary Kennicott on the ABC soap opera All My Children. She was not cast on that show, but the network offered her the role of Victoria "Viki" Lord Riley on One Life to Live (OLTL).[2] In her 42 years in the role, Slezak won six Daytime Emmy Awards, which is an Emmy record for a female performer.[2]
In 2007, Slezak voiced strong criticism of OLTL's then-head writer, Dena Higley. In the March 2007 edition of Slezak's fan club newsletter, she stated, "Dena doesn't care about the rich history of the show, which is evident in what she writes" and that Higley "wants to write stories that she thinks are interesting but nobody else does."[4] Ron Carlivati was subsequently made co-head writer, with Higley ultimately leaving the series in September 2007. In August 2007. OLTL celebrated its 10,000th episode.[5]
In April 2011, ABC announced that OLTL would be cancelled, with its final airdate in January 2012.[6][7] However, media company Prospect Park licensed the creative rights to the show from ABC in July 2011 and announced that they would migrate the series to an online format. In September 2011, Slezak confirmed she would be participating in the new version show, along with other regular cast members. The Prospect Park project stalled in November 2011, and OLTL ended its run on ABC as scheduled. In early 2013, Prospect Park announced it was moving forward with their online versions of One Life to Live and All My Children, with Slezak confirmed on board. The revived series, taped in Stamford, Connecticut, premiered on Hulu, Hulu Plus, and iTunes on April 29, 2013, and ran through August 19, 2013.[8][9]
Other projects
Slezak portrayed Jean Roberts in the 1996 made-for-TV movie adaptation of Danielle Steel's novel Full Circle.[2][10][11] In 2000, Slezak was on The Rosie O'Donnell Show to talk about her career.[12] In 2002, she was on Intimate Portrait as herself about her career.[13] In 2005, Slezak was on The View to talk about her career.[14]
In April 2018, she appeared as Dr. Eileen Jacoby on the Fox series The Resident, in the episode "Haunted".[15] The following year, Slezak starred alongside Jeff Daniels in the film Guest Artist.[16][17][18][19] She was interviewed for an episode of the ABC news program 20/20 which focused on the murder of actress Rebecca Schaeffer, who appeared on One Life to Live in the 1980s.[20][21][22] Slezak further guest-starred on the CBS police drama Blue Bloods;[23] she returned to series in 2022.[24]
In 2021, Slezak was in the television movie Next Stop, Christmas as Aunt Myrtle.[25] In June 2025, it was announced she signed a short-term deal to appear on General Hospital;[26][27] she filmed the role of Ronnie Bard for three weeks, concluding on September 26,[28] which also coincided with her first episodic appearance.[29] She exited the role on November 6, 2025.[30][31][32] Her next role was in Song Sung Blue (2025), where she plays Frances Stingl, mother to Kate Hudson's Claire Sardina.[33] The film premiered at the AFI Film Festival on October 26, 2025.[34]
Personal life
Slezak married Robert Daniel Mooney in 1968 in Milwaukee[1] and divorced in 1971.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". She married Brian Davies on April 4, 1978,[35] and is the mother of two children, Michael and Amanda.[2][36] In 2003, Amanda Davies played a teenaged version of her mother's character Victoria in flashback scenes on One Life to Live.[2] Amanda Davies died on January 29, 2024.[37][38][39]
Awards
Slezak has won six Daytime Emmy Awards in the category of "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" out of nine nominations for her role as Victoria. Nominated in 1983, 1988, and 2012, she won in 1984, 1986, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2005, making the record for most wins by an actress and, along with Justin Deas, is second to 8-time winner Anthony Geary, for the most wins for playing one character. Additionally, Slezak won the Soap Opera Digest Award for Favorite Couple with Mark Derwin in 2000.[2]
- Daytime Emmy Award wins
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 1984 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live[40] |
| 1986 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live[41] |
| 1992 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live[42] |
| 1995 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live[43] |
| 1996 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live[44] |
| 2005 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live[45] |
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Favorite Couple for One Life to Live (shared with Mark Derwin)[2] |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–2013 | One Life to Live | Victoria Lord | Series regular |
| 1977 | A.M. Chicago | Self | Episode dated November 3, 1977 |
| 1978 | Donahue | Self | Episode dated March 21, 1978 |
| 1978–83 | Family Feud | Self–Celebrity contestant | 3 episodes |
| 1996 | Full Circle | Jean Roberts | Made-for-TV movie directed by Bethany Rooney[10] |
| 1996–2002 | The Rosie O'Donnell Show | Self | 4 episodes |
| 2000–02 | Intimate Portrait | Self | Episodes: "Linda Dano", "Erika Slezak" |
| 2001 | Special Unit 2 | Nick's Mother | Episode: "The Years" |
| 2003–2012 | The View | Self | 4 episodes |
| 2018 | The Resident | Dr. Eileen Jacoby | Episode: "Haunted" |
| 2019 | Guest Artist | Helen | Drama film directed by Timothy Busfield[17][18][19] |
| 20/20 | Self | Episode: "Your Biggest Fan" | |
| 2019, 2022 | Blue Bloods | Donna Duvall | Episodes: "Identity" and "Nothing Sacred" |
| 2021 | Next Stop, Christmas | Aunt Myrtle | Made-for-TV movie directed by Dustin Rikert[25] |
| 2025 | General Hospital | Veronica Bard | Role held from September 26 to November 6, 2025 |
| 2025 | Song Sung Blue | Frances Stingl | Biographical musical drama film directed by Craig Brewer |
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
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External links
- Script error: No such module "Official website".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Template:Trim/ Template:PAGENAMEBASE at IMDbTemplate:EditAtWikidataScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Template:EmmyTVLegends name
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- Pages with script errors
- 1946 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American actresses
- 21st-century American actresses
- American people of Austrian descent
- American people of Czech descent
- American people of Dutch descent
- American people of German-Jewish descent
- American television actresses
- American soap opera actresses
- Daytime Emmy Award winners
- Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series winners
- Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
- Actresses from Greenwich, Connecticut