When you think of legends of daytime television, General Hospital‘s Erika Slezak would undoubtedly come to mind. She logged 42 years playing Victoria “Viki” Lord on One Life To Live.

Key Takeaways

• Erika Slezak grew up in a multilingual, artistic family rooted in Hollywood’s rich performing tradition.
• At just 17, Slezak joined London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, one of its youngest ever admits.
• Her iconic role as Viki Lord on One Life to Live earned her six Daytime Emmy Awards.
• After OLTL, Slezak appeared on Blue Bloods, The Resident, and Hallmark’s Next Stop Christmas.
• On General Hospital, Slezak found instant rapport with Jane Elliot, making their scenes shine.

GH’s Veronica “Ronnie” Bard

Ronnie came to town after hearing of her sister, Monica’s (Leslie Charleson) passing. Not wanting to interrupt the private funeral, she went to the crypt on the Quartermaine estate to pay her respects, which is where she met Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot). Although she is new to town, she was quickly thrown into the drama.

First, she had to explain to everyone who she was and why Monica had never mentioned her. Then she was constantly at odds with Tracy. She shared nice moments with all of the other Quartermaine family members. She was the guest of honor at a tea party hosted at the Quartermaine mansion to introduce her to the women of Port Charles.

During the party, someone spiked her tea, and she started acting drunk. She, of course, blamed Tracy and kicked her out of the mansion, which was left to her by Monica. She is now in the thick of things, selling the house to Drew (Cameron Mathison) because Martin (Michael Knight) has forced her to. Ronnie’s time in Port Charles will sadly come to an end soon, as Slezak has only signed a short-term contract.

Born & Bred

Born in Hollywood, California, on August 5, Slezak grew up in a multilingual household, speaking German before she learned English. Surrounded by a family of accomplished performers, her love for the arts began at an early age. She attended Sacred Heart Schools in both Greenwich, Connecticut, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she developed a strong academic foundation and a growing passion for the arts, specifically acting. At just 17 years old, Erika was accepted into London’s prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), becoming one of the youngest students ever admitted.

Arts Lineage

Slezak’s love for performing runs deep, tracing back through generations of artistic excellence. Her father, the late Walter Slezak, was a Tony Award-winning actor known for his unforgettable work in film and on Broadway, including his acclaimed role in Fanny. The family’s creative legacy began even earlier with her grandfather, Leo Slezak, a world-renowned operatic tenor who graced the stages of Vienna, Berlin, and New York’s Metropolitan Opera. With such a rich heritage, it’s no surprise that Erika carried on the Slezak family tradition of brilliance in the arts.

Leading Lady

Slezak made her unforgettable debut in 1971 as Victoria “Viki” Lord on One Life to Live, a role that would define her career and become one of the most iconic in daytime history. Her powerhouse performances earned her six Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series — in 1984, 1986, 1992, 1995, 1996, and 2005 — along with multiple additional nominations. Through decades of storytelling, Slezak’s portrayal of Viki not only captivated viewers but also cemented her legacy as one of the most honored and beloved stars in soap opera history.

Lights, Camera, Action

OLTL’s cancellation didn’t slow the actress down. Slezak appeared in two episodes of Blue Bloods as Donna Duvall, an episode of The Resident as Dr. Eileen Jacoby, and the Hallmark Christmas film, Next Stop Christmas, as Aunt Myrt. Days of Our Lives alum Chandler Massey also starred in the film.

Slezak, who shared the majority of her screen time with Jane Elliot, loved every second of it. The GH legend went out of her way to make Slezak feel comfortable on set, even preparing her dressing room before she arrived — a warm welcome that set the tone for their working relationship. Although the two daytime veterans had never shared scenes before, their paths had crossed years earlier in New York, when Elliot visited OLTL to observe behind the scenes. Slezak fondly recalled their brief encounter and was thrilled at the chance to finally collaborate on-screen.