On March 17, 1971, Erika Slezak made her television debut on One Life to Live. She has been honored with a record six Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress -- in 1984, 1986, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2005 -- for her portrayal of Victoria Lord Buchanan.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, Ms. Slezak was admitted to the prestigious school when she was only 17, one of the youngest students ever accepted. But honors in the world of the arts are a tradition in her family.
Her father, the late Walter Slezak, starred in many films and Broadway hits, among them Fanny, for which he won the Tony Award. Erika's grandfather was the world-famous operatic tenor, Leo Slezak, who sang in Vienna and Berlin, as well as at New York's Metropolitan Opera.
Born in Hollywood, Ms. Slezak learned to speak German at home before she learned English. For high school she attended the Sacred Heart Schools in Greenwich, CT, and Philadelphia, PA.
When did Ms. Slezak first decide she wanted to act?
"I can't recall a time when I didn't want to act. When I was a sophomore in high school, my father talked to me about training for a career in acting...One thing my father did for me was not discourage my ambitions. But he made sure I had no illusions about the acting profession, explaining that it was going to be harder for me because I had a famous father. I would have to prove myself more than others and, as usual, he was right."
Before making her debut in television on One Life to Live, Ms. Slezak established solid credentials in the theater. She was a member of the Milwaukee Repertory Company for three seasons, where she starred in everything from Shakespeare to Noel Coward, and she acted for another season at the Alley Theater in Houston.
Ms. Slezak is the only Slezak of her generation to pursue an acting career. Her sister, Ingrid, is an attorney and her brother, Leo, is a pilot.
Ms. Slezak and her husband, actor Brian Davies, have two children, Michael and Amanda. The family lives in a suburb of New York.
Full circle
Jean Roberts
1996
One Life to Live
Viki Lord Riley Buchanan Davidson
1971 to January 13, 2012
Daytime Emmys: Winner, Outstanding Lead Actress (1984, 1986, 1992, 1995, 1996, 2005)
Daytime Emmys: Nomination, Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series (1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 2005, 2012)
Daytime Emmys: Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actress (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012)
Soap Opera Digest Awards: Nominee, Outstanding Lead Actress (1986)
Soap Opera Digest Awards: Nominee, Outstanding Heroine (1988)
Soap Opera Digest Awards: Nominee, Outstanding Lead Actress (1989)
Soap Opera Digest Awards: Nominee, Favorite Supercouple (with Clint Ritchie) (1989)
Soap Opera Digest Awards: Nominee, Outstanding Heroine (1990)
PLACE OF BIRTH: Hollywood, California
DATE OF BIRTH: August 5, 1946
HEIGHT: 5'5"
HAIR: Blonde
EYES: Blue
MARITAL STATUS: Married, Brian Davies [1978]
CHILDREN: Son, Michael; Daugher, Amanda
News Archive: Slezak adds to record-setting Emmy count. [May 20, 2005]
News Archive: Erika Slezak gives exclusive interview to Soap Central. [Nov 3, 2008]
News Archive: Part two of an exclusive Soap Central interview with Erika Slezak. [Nov 10, 2008]
News Archive: Rumors say Slezak could be let go by OLTL. [Mar 2, 2009]
News Archive: Slezak's contract with OLTL renewed. [Aug 25, 2009]
News Archive: Erika Slezak to undergo surgical procedure. [Jan 16, 2010]
News Archive: Slezak back to work following surgery. [Mar 14, 2010]
News Archive: VIDEO: Slezak offers behind-the-scenes look at Viki's alters. [Apr 29, 2011]
News Archive: Slezak part of first wave of OLTL stars signing with Prospect Park. [Aug 9, 2011]
News Archive: LISTEN: Erika Slezak shares her reaction to Daytime Emmy nomination. [May 11, 2012]
News Archive: Slezak, Robert S. Woods close to signing with Prospect Park. [Jan 17, 2013]
News Archive: Slezak one of more than a dozen OLTL stars signed on for return. [Jan 22, 2013]
News Archive: Catching up with Emmy winner Erika Slezak [Jan 19, 2014]
News Archive: OLTL icon Erika Slezak shares heartfelt message about the tragic passing of Nathaniel Marston [Nov 13, 2015]
News Archive: OLTL's Erika Slezak mourns Patricia Elliott; also shares thoughts on returning to showbiz [Dec 26, 2015]
News Archive: OLTL's Erika Slezak returns to television in Fox's new medical drama The Resident [Dec 11, 2017]
News Archive: Blair Underwood thanks OLTL's Erika Slezak for his primetime career [Dec 13, 2017]
News Archive: OLTL's Erika Slezak stars in new Jeff Daniels film Guest Artist [Feb 7, 2019]
News Archive: One Life to Live alum Erika Slezak to guest-star on Blue Bloods [Apr 2, 2019]
News Archive: Erika Slezak shares update with One Life to Live fans [May 4, 2020]
News Archive: OUT THIS MONTH: Guest Artist, a Jeff Daniels film starring One Life to Live's Erika Slezak [Jul 14, 2019]
News Archive: One Life to Live's Erika Slezak filming Hallmark holiday movie Next Stop Christmas [Aug 24, 2021]
News Archive: "Even though One Life to Live has ended..." Erika Slezak thanks fans for sticking with her as she marks major career milestone [Dec 24, 2021]
