Looking back on 30 years in Llanview, Erika Slezak (Viki) has few regrets, and a big dream to pursue
For the past three decades, ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s Erika Slezak (Viki) has lived every actor’s fantasy: She has had the opportunity to play one diverse and interesting story after another while polishing the five Daytime Emmy Awards on her mantel. But does the mother of two college-aged children, Michael and Amanda, have any regrets as she reflects on her stellar career? "I suppose," she tells Soaps In Depth, "but it’s dangerous to live your life like that. You really can only look forward."
"I’m Still At The Center Of Major Storyline"
A graduate of London’s prestigious Royal Academy Of Dramatic Arts, Slezak never imagined that she’d outlast the soap contract she inked back in 1971, let alone still be starring on the long-running serial today. Although her acting chops could have taken her anywhere, she has been more than thrilled to have made Victoria Davidson a daytime icon. "How could I have regrets about what I’ve done here at OLTL and the incredible job that I’ve had?" she ponders. "I still get to do something different every day, and after all these years, I’m still at the center of major storyline. I can’t complain about that."
"I Always Thought I’d Wind Up In Theater"
While Slezak says that there still is more story to mine for her character, Broadway is calling her name. "I always thought I’d wind up in the theater," says the daughter of the late Tony-Award winner Walter Slezak. "It was my first love."
The actress, who spent three seasons performing at the Milwaukee Repertory Company before making her daytime debut, cautions that landing on the Great White Way is easier said than done. "Within every section of our industry, they tend to favor those who have given time and energy to it," she explains. "It would be hard for me to say, ‘Okay, I want to do Broadway,’ and have somebody offer me this great role, when there are so many wonderful actresses who have given their lives to [to the theater], where you don’t make a lot of money and you don’t have any type of longevity in your job.
"Hopefully, it might be possible," she concludes. "Who’s to say it will never happen?" — Irene Vitale
Erika Slezak
