Erika Slezak

In her two-hour interview, actress Erika Slezak talks about her early years and describes her father, screen star Walter Slezak, and her grandfather, a famous opera singer. She discusses her own training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, shares early stage experiences, and speaks in great detail about the role for which she is most well-known, that of "Victoria Lord" on the daytime soap One Life to Live, a part she had played since 1971. She recalls her audition (she was not told she was reading for "Victoria" until later), establishing her character, and her first storyline. Slezak describes her relationship with initial series producer Doris Quinlan, then-current producer Frank Valentini, and longtime One Life to Live director David Pressman. She recounts working with cast members Ernest Graves, Robin Strasser, and Roy Thinnes, and speaks of her six Emmy wins. Barrie Nedler conducted the interview on April 28, 2006 in Hollywood, CA.