| Erika Slezak |
| Born |
Erika Alma Hermina Slezak
August 5, 1946 (1946-08-05) (age 63)
Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Occupation |
Actress |
| Years active |
1971–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Brian Davies (1978–present) |
| Official website |
Erika Slezak (born August 5, 1946)[1] is an American actress of Austrian and Dutch descent, known for her Daytime Emmy Award-winning performance as Victoria "Viki" Lord Banks on the American soap opera One Life to Live.
Early life
Slezak was born in Hollywood, California, the daughter of Tony award-winning Austrian actor Walter Slezak and Johanna "Kaasi" Van Rijn, and the granddaughter of opera tenor Leo Slezak.[1][2] Raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, Slezak attended high school at the Sacred Heart High School near Greenwich, Connecticut. 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.[1] Establishing a noteworthy reputation in theater, performing in Milwaukee, Chicago, and Houston.
One Life to Live
In 1971, Slezak auditioned for the role of nurse Mary Kennecott 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.[1] To date, Slezak has won six Daytime Emmy Awards for her portrayal, which is an Emmy record.[1]
In 2007, Slezak voiced strong criticism of One Life to Live'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."[3] Ron Carlivati was subsequently made co-head writer, with Higley ultimately leaving the series on September 10, 2007.
Personal life
Slezak is married to Brian Davies, and is the mother of two children, Michael (born 1980) and Amanda Davies (born 1981).[1] In 2003, Amanda played a teenage Viki in flashback scenes on One Life to Live.[1]
Awards and nominations
Slezak has won six Daytime Emmy Awards in the category of "Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series," in 1984, 1986, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2005, tying the record for most wins by an actor (shared with Justin Deas and Anthony Geary), as well as the tie for most wins for playing one character (with Geary) and by an actress.[1] Additionally, Slezak won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Favorite Couple with Mark Derwin in 2000.[1]
- Daytime Emmy Award wins
| Year |
Award |
| 2005 |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live[4] |
| 1996 |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live[5] |
| 1995 |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live[6] |
| 1992 |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live[7] |
| 1986 |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live[8] |
| 1984 |
Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series for One Life to Live[9] |
- Soap Opera Digest Award wins
| Year |
Award |
| 2000 |
Favorite Couple for One Life to Live (shared with Mark Derwin)[1] |
References
External links
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Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series |
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Judith Light, One Life to Live (1980) · Judith Light, One Life to Live (1981) · Robin Strasser, One Life to Live (1982) · Dorothy Lyman, All My Children (1983) · Erika Slezak, One Life to Live (1984) · Kim Zimmer, Guiding Light (1985) · Erika Slezak, One Life to Live (1986) · Kim Zimmer, Guiding Light (1987) · Helen Gallagher, Ryan's Hope (1988) · Marcy Walker, Santa Barbara (1989)
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Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series |
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Kim Zimmer, Guiding Light (1990) · Finola Hughes, General Hospital (1991) · Erika Slezak, One Life to Live (1992) · Linda Dano, Another World (1993) · Hillary B. Smith, One Life to Live (1994) · Erika Slezak, One Life to Live (1995) · Erika Slezak, One Life to Live (1996) · Jess Walton, The Young and the Restless (1997) · Cynthia Watros, Guiding Light (1998) · Susan Lucci, All My Children (1999)
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Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series |
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Susan Flannery, The Bold and the Beautiful (2000) · Martha Byrne, As the World Turns (2001) · Susan Flannery, The Bold and the Beautiful (2002) · Susan Flannery, The Bold and the Beautiful (2003) · Michelle Stafford, The Young and the Restless (2004) · Erika Slezak, One Life to Live (2005) · Kim Zimmer, Guiding Light (2006) · Maura West, As the World Turns (2007) · Jeanne Cooper, The Young and the Restless (2008) · Susan Haskell, One Life to Live (2009)
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| Persondata |
| NAME |
Slezak, Erika |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION |
American actress |
| DATE OF BIRTH |
August 5, 1946 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH |
Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| DATE OF DEATH |
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| PLACE OF DEATH |
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