Erika Slezak

Erika Slezak
Erika Slezak with her father, Walter Slezak, on the set of One Life to Live (1974)
Born (1946-08-05) August 5, 1946 (age 79)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Alma materRoyal Academy of Dramatic Arts
OccupationActress
Years active1971–present
Known forVictoria Lord
TelevisionOne Life to Live
Spouses
Robert Daniel Mooney
​
​
(m. 1968⁠–⁠1971)​
Brian Davies
​
(m. 1978)​
Children2
Parent(s)Walter Slezak
Johanna Van Rijin
RelativesMargarete Slezak (aunt)
Leo Slezak (grandfather)
AwardsDaytime Emmy Award (1984, 1986, 1992, 1995, 1996, 2005)
Soap Opera Digest Award (2002)
Websitewww.erikaslezak.com

Erika Alma Slezak (/ˈsleɪzæk/; 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.[citation needed]

One Life to Live

See also: Victoria Lord

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 the film Song Sung Blue (2025), where she plays Frances Stengl, 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.[citation needed] 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]
Soap Opera Digest Award wins
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

References

  1. ^ a b "Erika A. Slezak/ Is Wed to Actor, Daniel Mooney". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. May 21, 1968. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j SOD. "SOAP STAR STATS: Erika Slezak (Viki, OLTL)". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  3. ^ "Turner Classic Movies: Biography for Walter Slezak". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on April 9, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  4. ^ "The Erika Slezak Fan Club, in its 35th year, presents... Erika's World" (PDF). March 22, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 9, 2007.
  5. ^ Higgins, Cathy (August 14, 2007). "'One Life' celebrates milestone". The Albany Herald. The Georgia Trust for Local News. p. 5. OCLC 12531100. Retrieved October 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "ABC to end "All My Children," "One Life to Live"". KTRK-TV. ABC Owned Television Stations. April 30, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  7. ^ Eades, Chris (May 5, 2025). "GH's Maurice Benard on ABC Canceling AMC and OLTL: 'They Made a Big Mistake'". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  8. ^ Rice, Lynette (January 22, 2013). "All My Children, One Life to Live update: Who's in for online return". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 16, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  9. ^ Logan, Michael (March 25, 2013). "Sneak Peek: Erika Slezak Returns to One Life to Live". TV Guide. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  10. ^ a b Scott, Tony (September 9, 1996). "Danielle Steel's Full Circle". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  11. ^ Steel, Danielle (1984). Full Circle (Hardcover) (1st ed.). New York City: Delacorte Press. ISBN 978-0385293266. OCLC 12459978.
  12. ^ ""Erika Slezak", "Kathy Griffin"". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Gannett. June 16, 2000. p. 137. ISSN 2641-4503. OCLC 51645638. Retrieved October 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ ""Erika Slezak"". Times Union. Hearst Communication. July 6, 2002. p. 30. ISSN 8756-5927. Retrieved October 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ ""Jerry Lewis, "Erika Slezak"". The Free Lance-Star. Lee Enterprises. October 23, 2005. p. 49. ISSN 2157-4979. OCLC 31810388. Retrieved October 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Fairman, Michael (April 16, 2018). "TONIGHT: One Life to Live's Erika Slezak Returns To Television In The Resident". On-Air On-Soaps. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  16. ^ "OLTL's Erika Slezak stars in new Jeff Daniels film Guest Artist". soapcentral.com.
  17. ^ a b "Jeff Daniels' 'Guest Artist' heads to home viewing platforms". The Detroit News. Digital First Media. July 21, 2020. ISSN 1055-2715. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  18. ^ a b Roeper, Richard (July 20, 2020). "'Guest Artist' loses steam soon after arriving at the station". Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago Public Media. ISSN 1553-8478. OCLC 51500916. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  19. ^ a b Linden, Sheri (March 6, 2019). "Guest Artist: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. ISSN 0018-3660. OCLC 44653726. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  20. ^ Eades, Chris (April 8, 2019). "Erika Slezak Appears in 20/20 Documentary About Rebecca Schaeffer's Murder". ABC Soaps In Depth. United States: Bauer Media Group.
  21. ^ "20/20 presents two-hour documentary on murdered actress Rebecca Schaeffer". Niagara County Tribune/Sentinel. Niagara Frontier Publications. April 8, 2019. OCLC 30453701. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  22. ^ Turnquist, Kristi (April 8, 2019). "20/20 revisits the tragic case of Portland-raised actress Rebecca Schaeffer". The Oregonian. Advance Publications. ISSN 8750-1317. OCLC 985410693. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  23. ^ "Erika Slezak talks 'Blue Bloods' on CBS, 'Guest Artist,' success (Includes interview)". www.digitaljournal.com. April 24, 2019.
  24. ^ Mistretta, Amy (October 26, 2022). "One Life to Live Legend Announces Her Exciting Return to the Screen".
  25. ^ a b Lewis, Errol (August 30, 2021). "Erika Slezak to Appear in 'Next Stop Christmas' for Hallmark Channel". Soap Opera Network. Manti, Inc. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  26. ^ Fairman, Michael (June 12, 2025). "Breaking news: Erika Slezak to join the cast of General Hospital, six-time Daytime Emmy-winner signs short term deal". Michael Fairman TV. United States. Retrieved June 12, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  27. ^ Sloane, Stephanie (September 5, 2025). "Monica's farewell, fallout from Drew's shooting and more to expect on General Hospital this fall". TV Insider. United States. Retrieved September 5, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  28. ^ Lewis, Errol (September 25, 2025). "Erika Slezak wraps limited run on General Hospital asme day she debuts in Port Charles". United States: Soap Opera Network. Retrieved September 26, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  29. ^ Sloane, Stephanie (September 29 – October 19, 2025). "Soap Scoop". TV Guide. Vol. 73, no. 39 (3820-3822). United States. p. 4. ISSN 0039-8543.
  30. ^ Brounstein, Diane; Levinsky, Mara (November 3, 2025). "Comings and goings for GH, Y&R, DAYS, B&B and BTG the week of November 3". Soap Opera Digest. United States. ISSN 0164-3584. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  31. ^ Levinsky, Mara (November 5, 2025). "—GH comings and goings: Erika Slezak opens up about end of Ronnie run (Excl)". Soap Opera Digest. United States. ISSN 0164-3584. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  32. ^ Fairman, Michael (November 5, 2025). "Erika Slezak, who exits General Hospital as Ronnie Bard, says she would be, 'open to coming back'". United States: Michael Fairman TV. Archived from the original on November 7, 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  33. ^ Blackwelder, Carson (June 13, 2025). "One Life to Live Alum Erika Slezak Set to Join General Hospital This Fall: A 'Daytime Legend'". People. People Inc. ISSN 0093-7673. OCLC 794712888. Archived from the original on June 14, 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  34. ^ Pedersen, Erik (September 10, 2025). "'Song Sung Blue' World Premiere To Close AFI Fest First Look". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on September 10, 2025. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  35. ^ Waldo, Garren (August 5, 2023). "Soap Opera Legend And Icon Erika Slezak Celebrates Her Birthday". Soap Hub. AllGear Digital. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  36. ^ "Amanda Davies, One Life to Live Alum and Daughter of Soap Legend Erika Slezak, Dead at 42". Yahoo Entertainment. January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  37. ^ Calvario, Liz (January 30, 2024). "Amanda Davies, daughter of 'One Life to Live' actor Erika Slezak, dies at 42". NBC News. NBCUniversal News Group. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  38. ^ Saunders, Angel (January 30, 2024). "Amanda Davies, One Life to Live Alum and Daughter of Soap Legend Erika Slezak, Dead at 42". People. People Inc. ISSN 0093-7673. OCLC 794712888. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  39. ^ Dolak, Kevin (January 30, 2024). "Amanda Davies, Daughter of Soap Icon Erika Slezak, Dies at 42". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. ISSN 0018-3660. OCLC 44653726. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  40. ^ SOD. "Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1984". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  41. ^ SOD. "Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1986". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Archived from the original on May 27, 2006. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  42. ^ SOD. "Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1992". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Archived from the original on May 27, 2006. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  43. ^ SOD. "Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1995". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Archived from the original on May 27, 2006. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  44. ^ SOD. "Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 1996". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Archived from the original on June 3, 2009. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  45. ^ SOD. "Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees: 2005". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Archived from the original on June 3, 2009. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Davies_(actress)