NAME: Erika SlezakRANK: 3
SOAP ROLES: Victoria Lord, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1971-present)
AWARDS:
2005 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
2005 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress
2001 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Favorite Couple
2000 Soap Opera Digest Award win for Favorite Couple
1996 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
1995 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
1992 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
1990 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Heroine: Daytime
1989 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Favorite Super Couple: Daytime
1989 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role: Daytime
1988 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
1988 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Heroine: Daytime
1986 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
1986 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role on a Daytime Serial
1984 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
1983 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
COMMENTS FROM THE PANEL:
Alan Carter: Viki, Niki, little Tommy...hasn't she played everything but a tuna sandwich? She could probably do that, too...if asked.
Connie Passalacqua Hayman (Marlena De Lacroix): At the same time, Slezak's Viki is the consummate soap opera heroine, because she has so harrowingly and humanistically triumphed over all her life's tragedies. Slezak's great classic acting, her dignity and her unparalleled professionalism make her daytime's top dramatic actress.
Jonathan Reiner: It simply would not be a Top 50 list without mentioning the Julie Andrews of daytime and her many Emmys for the DID storyline.
Roger Newcomb: She has won six well-deserved Emmys and the hearts of millions of ONE LIFE TO LIVE fans over the past 39 years. The list would not be complete without her.
Damon L. Jacobs: Very few actresses can convincingly hold the integrity of a woman suffering with Disassociative Identity Disorder. But to be able to do that while breathing life to 7 different alters, all with believable identities and personalities, is the hallmark of a phenomenal talent. This beautiful, dignified, and arguably underutilized talent remains one of the last classic soap heroines on television. She deserves this honor, she deserves the Emmys, and so much more.
COMMENTS FROM CO-STARS/CO-WORKERS/INDUSTRY:
Kale Browne: (worked with Slezak on OLTL) Doesn't get any better than working with Erika. A terrific human being, always on top of her game and always tells the truth. A no-BS babe.
DAYTIME SOAP OPERAS
