Erika Slezak- Actress Profile and Biography

1971

August 5, 1946 in Hollywood, California

Erika Alma Hermina Slezak

Walter Slezak and Johanna “Kaasi” Van Rijn

Ingrid (sister) and Leo (brother)

Married to Brian Davies

Michael (son, born 1980) and Amanda (daughter, born 1981)

Daytime Emmy Awards in 1984, 1986, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2005 for her outstanding portrayal of Victoria Lord on 'One Life to Live.'

Soap Opera Digest Award for Favorite Couple (shared with Mark Derwin)

TV/Herself:

Family Feud – Herself (3 episodes), 1978, 1984

Live with Regis – Herself, 1989

Rosie O’Donnell – 1996 – 2002

Intimate Portrait – Herself, 2000-2002

Full Circle – Jean Roberts, 1996

The Years Special Unit 2 – (Nick’s mother), 2001

One Life to Live – Victoria Lord Riley, 1971- Present

Theatre Roles:
Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London:

The Rehearsal – Countess

The House of Bernarda Alba – Adele

No, No Nanette – Sue Smith

Milwaukee 1966-1967:

Electra in Sophodes – Electra

Design for Living – Gilda

Merchant of Venice – Nerissa

The Sudden and Accidental Death of Horse Johnson – 9 performances

Puntila and His Servant – Cook

Hedda Gabler – Hedda

Ivanhoe Theatre, Chicago, 1967:

The Philadelphia Story – Elizabeth Imbrie

Milwaukee, 1967-1969:

Othello – Desdemona

Head of Hair – Wilhelmina

Amphitriton – Alcmena

Mary Stuart – Queen Elizabeth

Oh Pioneers – Juliet

The Big Knife – Dixie

The Importance of Being Ernest – Cecily

The Skin of Our Teeth – Sabrina

Dulcy – Dulcy

Three Sisters – Marsha

Marat/Sade – Charlotte Corday

Dangerous Corner – Frieda

Houghton Lake, Michigan, 1969:

Barefoot In the Park – Connie

The Music Man – Marian

Mr. Roberts – Lieutenant Ann

Alley Theatre, 1969-1970:

Tartuffi – Marianne

Charley’s Aunt – Kitty

Blithe Spirit – Elvira

Roundabout Theatre, New York, 1973-1974:

The Circle – Elizabeth

TV Movie:

Full Circle, 1996

Extras:

Macy’s Mother’s Day Ad, 1993

Footage Archive:

SOAPnet Reveals ABC Soap Secrets – 2004

Ms. Slezak was born in Hollywood, California and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut. She comes from a successful family of entertainers. Her father, Walter was a Tony award winning actor and her grandfather, Leo was an opera-tenor. Erika graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1966 and performed in various stage plays in cities such as Milwaukee, Chicago and Houston. She was a member of the Milwaukee Repertory Company for three seasons and a member of the Alley Theatre in Houston.

Erika was turned down for the role of Nurse Mary Kennecott on All My Children but was offered the part of Victoria Lord Riley on One Life to Live in 1971. She continues the role of “Viki” who suffered with (DID) Dissociative Identity Disorder, a heart transplant, and cancer over the years and received several awards for her gripping performances.

Erika has been married to Brian Davies since 1978 and they have two grown children together, Michael and Amanda. Several years ago, Amanda played Viki as a teenager in a flashback scene on One Life to Live.

Ms. Slezak resides with her husband in their suburban home in New York City.