Post by Kaz ~;~ on Jun 24, 2011 17:10:40 GMT -5
[/size][/url][/center]
Erika Slezak
Born Erika Alma Hermina Slezak
August 5, 1946 (age 64)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Years active 1971–present
Spouse Brian Davies (1978–present)
Erika Alma Hermina Slezak born August 5, 1946) is an American actress, best known for her role as Victoria Lord on the American daytime soap opera One Life to Live.
--------------------
Early life::
Slezak was born in Hollywood, California of Austrian 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. 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. Establishing a noteworthy reputation in theater, she performed 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. To date, Slezak has won six Daytime Emmy Awards for her portrayal, which is an Emmy record.
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." 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). In 2003, Amanda played a teenage Viki in flashback scenes on One Life to Live.
-------------------
Awards and nominations::
Slezak has won six Daytime Emmy Awards in the category of "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" out of eight nominations. Nominated in 1983 and 1988, she won 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. Additionally, Slezak won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Favorite Couple with Mark Derwin in 2000.
--------------------------
Daytime Emmy Award wins
2005
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live
1996
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live
1995
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live
1992
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live
1986
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live
1984
Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series for One Life to Live
Soap Opera Digest Award wins
2000 Favorite Couple for One Life to Live (shared with Mark Derwin)
Erika Slezak
Born Erika Alma Hermina Slezak
August 5, 1946 (age 64)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Years active 1971–present
Spouse Brian Davies (1978–present)
Erika Alma Hermina Slezak born August 5, 1946) is an American actress, best known for her role as Victoria Lord on the American daytime soap opera One Life to Live.
--------------------
Early life::
Slezak was born in Hollywood, California of Austrian 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. 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. Establishing a noteworthy reputation in theater, she performed 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. To date, Slezak has won six Daytime Emmy Awards for her portrayal, which is an Emmy record.
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." 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). In 2003, Amanda played a teenage Viki in flashback scenes on One Life to Live.
-------------------
Awards and nominations::
Slezak has won six Daytime Emmy Awards in the category of "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" out of eight nominations. Nominated in 1983 and 1988, she won 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. Additionally, Slezak won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Favorite Couple with Mark Derwin in 2000.
--------------------------
Daytime Emmy Award wins
2005
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live
1996
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live
1995
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live
1992
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live
1986
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for One Life to Live
1984
Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series for One Life to Live
Soap Opera Digest Award wins
2000 Favorite Couple for One Life to Live (shared with Mark Derwin)