News
OLTL's Erika Slezak Never-Before-Seen Photos From Her Private Collection!

Courtesy/TOLN.com & archives Walter Miller, Jr.
This week, Radar Online teamed with TOLN.com to share some very exclusive photos directly from the personal collection of six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (Viki) of One Life to Live via her long time fan club president, Walter Miller!
The 12 photo gallery has photos of Erika through the years including: some images as her as Viki’s alter Niki Smith, the first time she played her, with Allan Miller who played lawyer, Dave Siegel, a picture of Erika at the Daytime Emmy where one afternoon the ceremony was held outside on a boat in which her hair is ruffled up. and a beautiful picture of Erika shortly after she joined OLTL in which she writes, “Boy, was I young!”
In addition to the photos in that gallery, TOLN.com has even more photos with Erika from her collection from her early courtroom scenes on One Life, to photos with her on-screen then love interest Lee Patterson (Joe Riley), to some of her soap magazine covers, to Erika’s second Emmy win in 1986, and more!
Take a look at the galleries, and then let us know which one of the images was your favorite, and what is your favorite memory of Erika as Viki on One Life to Live?
She’s so beautiful and talented. Heartbroken that I am not getting my daytime dose of Viki, and the marvelous Erika.
Tali(not Smith)
Read my post.
Who the hell cares. about erika. she was yesterdays news. time to move on. one life to live will not be back. erika needs to retire now. the reboot honestly sucked. time to move on. lets support days of our lives bold and the beautiful’ young and the restless. forget about general hospital that soap will be. cancelled soone.r than later
while i will agree to an extent somewhat , with you about the reboot (some of it was good, some of it i wasnt too happy with BUT still supported it) i will completely disagree with you that shes yesterdays news; she is a very talented woman; why does she need to retire? because of her age, or because oltl is temporarily shelved for the moment? either way, that wouldnt be right; shes so loyal to her show that shes jumped on board both times when the reboot was attempted and is still patiently waiting for things to get straightened out between PP and abc so she can go back to work. you say lets support those three soaps (but exclude gh? not quite; actually liking that one more then the others right now myself but still wish the other shows well and for their fans, hopefully they never get cancelled ), well how about also supporting the oltl actors who jumped at the opportunity to keep their show going only to get screwed over at least three times now and despite that, are STILL being loyal and waiting for this situation to get solved so they can go back to work. erika is NOT yesterdays news; she is more talented then half these so called movie stars; and definitely some of the other soap actors; theres a reason she has six emmys.
And Maybe it wont be cancelled. You are a rude disrespectful person to fans and to Erika Slezak. I am not a fan of OLTL but know Erika is a legion and is one of the most talented actresses to grace our screens. When she wants to she will retire but if she still loves acting, why should she. General Hospital has the highest ratings in the most important demo 18-39 and the improvement that Frank & Ron keep brining on. I have never cared for the CBS soaps but I do watch Y&R when Tristan is on. All for soaps should be supported because they are the last ones on to bless our lives.
Read my original post.
I agree with anna’s comment one life to live sucks big time. erika go retire with robin strasser.
whoa Anna! you need a happy pill 🙂 just sayin’. Long live #oltl #amc and #gh ~!!!
Erika is a daytime legend…whether or not OLTL returns she’ll never be forgotten by millions of fans who love and adore her…she’ll always be remembered while a few will ask ‘Anna who?’…nobody cares! I dont mean to sound a little harsh but the truth is Erika has a lot of fans and followers who like her which i know out number the rare few who dont!!! OLTL wasnt as good as it couldve been but it still was a good effort. You have a right to your opinion as i do as well!!!
Look at my post.
Have some respect for those of us who love and respect our beloved one life to live. The fans were teased with bringing it back only to have it taken away again. The pictures are beautiful.
…and your point..lol
oh… was very saddened to read your post. no rude comment back, but hope that one day you will be able to look back on your life with as many memorable moments as Erika has.
Anna I totally disagree on every thing you said. Very harsh comments. If OLTL comes back on after settling the dispute. Maybe you shouldn’t watch it since you have such a low opinion of it… OLTL will always be my #1 favorite soap and Erika Slezak will always be my #1 favorite on OLTL! Erika is a sweet person and one classy lady ! I liked all the pictures of Erika. I remember those scenes that go with each picture. She is a beautiful woman inside and out. When I think of OLTL what comes to mind is that it is heart-warming…When and if it comes back, need to get back to those kind of stories. Erika Slezak forever more!
Something for you.
WTF is your problem u must work for ABC ANN u are vey RUDE u may not like ES but u don’t have to be so damn rude . I feel sorry for u that u so much animosity against someone you don’t even know . Life is to short to have so much animosity it’s not healthy.
There is no “Anna” – it’s the same jackass that’s always on here making brainless comments – I wish this person would kindly croak and do the rest of us a gigantic favor – you can tell it’s always the same person because she/he/it cannot construct one single sentence that makes any kind of sense.
Erika Slezak is a great actress and person, very classy in every way, and I do hope the One Life can return at some point in the not too distant future.
We’ll care what “Anna” thinks when she can write one sentence that isn’t a fragment of a brainless thought.
Always the class Diva on ABC daytime. It will never be the same!
Erika is a daytime legend… over 40 years of giving us the very best of everything. Her record breaking 6 daytime emmys for outstanding lead actress is daytime proves it. OLTL will be back and I believe will be stronger than ever.
I’m not a OLTL fan. I do think Erica Slezak is rather commanding, as was
her father.
I thought I should tell anyone who may care, ES’s father was Walter Slezak,
whom starred in one of my favorite movies; LIFEBOAT. He played the
geman captain. To me, he was brilliant and the apple does not fall far from
the tree!
If you want to be entertained and see part of her acting gene pool, then watch
Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat. The film was released in 1944.
I hope you all enjoy the movie and long live Erica Slezak!!!
Ive seen Lifeboat…one of my favorites…Walter…Erikas father made an appearance on OLTL in the early 1970s…both father and daughter…great actors! And speaking of Lifeboat…there was a young actress who costarred in the movie named Mary Anderson which is the same name of a character that was on Days Of Our Lives for many years until murdered by the Salem Strangler in the early 1980s…actress Mary Anderson…imo…kinda resembled Barbara Stanger, one of the several actress who played the character of Mary Anderson on Days ( Barbara played the role during the late 70s to early 80s b4 the role was recast one last time)…hope i didnt bore u with this…lol
4got to mention…Mary Anderson who played nurse Alice in ‘Lifeboat’ appeared in the 1960s primetime soap ‘Peyton Place’ as Catherine Peyton Harrington(i believe Mary is still with us and in her 90s now)…and the late Tallulah Bankhead from ‘Lifeboat’ was a big fan of the daytimes crime/mystery soap ‘Edge Of Night’…i once read an article that she once called Edges studious suggesting one of the female characters should shoot her bastard husband for cheating on her… soooo funny!!! i didnt know if you knew of these two Lifeboat actors soap opera connections!!!
That did not bore me at all!!! The more info, the better. Thank you
for the heads up. Tallulah was a riot, but I did not know about her
EON connection. I did hear of the character named Mary Anderson
on DOOL. As for actress Mary Anderson, she played sweet very well!
And maybe I will find the father/daughter duo on youtube! Thanks !!!
I did not know about Mary Anderson starring in Peyton Place either!
You are a wealth of information! Thank you!!!
Ironically, i watched Lifeboat again earlier today on Turner Classics Movies…
Those are wonderful photos. Erika Slezak is and always be a class act. Thank you Michael for sharing this link.
I can’t wait for more OLTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These are fun pictures. Thanks for sharing them. I hope OLTL comes back as there is still is an audience for it.
Anna sounds suspiciously like nancy.
Scott what voices do you hear in your head. lol
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
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