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Erika Slezak Pays Tribute to ‘One Life to Live’ TV Sister Lynn Benesch Upon Learning of Her Passing
When Erika Slezak joined One Life to Live in 1971 as the third Victoria Lord (following Gillian Spencer and Joanne Dorian), longtime fans of the beloved soap remember that Viki had a younger sister, Meredith, who was played by Lynn Benesch (born Lynn Benish, and who later was also known as Lynn Chester). Benesch was the second actress to take on the part of Meredith Lord following the exit of Trish Van Devere.
Now, Erika has posted a touching remembrance after having recently found out that Lynn Benish Chester had passed away. Obituary records detail that Lynn died back in 2023 at the age of 82. The obit shares, Lynn was the mother to two daughter, Jennie and Annie, and wife of Larry Tucker (who passed away in 2024).
Lynn appeared on One Life to Life from 1969-1973 until Meredith was killed-off when she suffered a massive brain trauma, but before succumbing to her injuries, tells Viki how happy the love of her life, Dr. Larry Wolek (Michael Storm) made her. Benesch appeared one more time in 1987 when Viki traveled to heaven and saw her sister. Throughout her career, Lynn also appeared on other soap operas including: General Hospital, The Doctors, and The Young and the Restless.
Courtesy/ErikaSlezak.com/ABC
In q heartfelt post on her website on January 19, 2026, Erika expressed, “I recently learned that Lynn Benish, who portrayed my sister Meredith on One Life to Live, has passed away. After she left California, Lynn and I had lost touch. Lynn was incredibly supportive during my early days on the show, providing invaluable help throughout my first year on OLTL. She led me by the hand and told me where everything was and what the schedule was. She and Syd Andrews, our stage manager and Ernie Graves who was Victor, literally walked me through that first day. Lynn’s kindness will always be remembered. May she rest in peace.”
It’s pretty incredible to hear those words from the six-time Daytime Emmy winning legend, and for those of us who watched One Life to Live from the very beginning and who remember the relationship between Viki and Meredith.
When Erika mentions Ernest Graves, he was the first Victor Lord of One Life from 1968-1974, and at that time the character was not the monster he later became when the writers wrote into the story of Viki’s sexual abuse by her father as a young child; which caused her to split into multiple personalities: Tori, Tommy, Jean, Princess, Niki, and Victor.
Share your remembrances of Lynn Benesch as she was known during her run on One Life to Live as Viki’s sister’s Meredith Lord via the comment section below, and your reaction to Erika Slezak’s sentiments on her former co-star.
Lynn was great as Meredith as was Ernest Graves as Victor, hated what they did with the character later. Both he and later Shepard Strudwick played Victor as a difficult man but one who was devoted to his daughters.
I am very sorry to hear this news. I most definitely remember Lynn as Meredith Lord Wolek. Lynn played Meredith longer than the originator of the role. I was very sorry when they killed off the character. It bothered me that in later years, Meredith was completely forgotten. Meredith was a much better sister to Viki than perpetual trouble maker Tina.
May Lynn Benesch rest in peace.
My watching of OLTL was kind of akin to being a fair weather fan. I loved OLTL but could not afford the time it took to juggle AMC, ( my first soap)OLTL and GH. It was embarrassment of riches back in the day. But my spotty watching of OLTL afforded me the pleasure of watching the brilliant Erika Slezak interact with the incredibly talented and charismatic May Lynn. She was so good that she had the ability to piss me off on behalf of Vicki.
I always liked watching Lynn as Meredith. I probably didn’t see Trish Can Devere as I started watching OLTL in 1970.
I remember her scenes with Dr Joyce Brothers, in the hospital. I believe Meredith was experiencing postpartum depression and Dr Brothers was helping her through it.
Didn’t Larry call her Mery?
I always thought it was unfortunate that Meredith was killed off so early in the show’s run. She could have had terrific storylines.
R.I.P. That is THE Meredith I remember. First time I was devastated when a soap character was killed off.
I’m shocked that the soap world is just now learning of Lynn’s passing. I always thought she deserved a larger television presence after leaving One Life to Live. Had I known of her turns on The Young and the Restless and General Hospital, I may have tuned in. Her seven episodes on The Doctors can be viewed on the free streaming service, It’s Real Good TV, which hosts episodes from December 1967 to September 1980. Lynn’s episodes were in 1968.
It was unfortunate that Lynn’s swan song of episodes had to play out during the regular disruption of the Senate Watergate Hearings.I also always thought Agnes Nixon erred in killing Meredith off (and Jenny on All My Children too) because there ought to have been so much more to their stories. In both cases, it had an unfortunate effect of neutering Larry’s character (and Greg’s). Larry perhaps got better treatment than Greg, but still, there was really nowhere to go without their true loves.
Breaking News
2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced on Thursday that the syndicated entertainment news series, Extra will be its partner for exclusive coverage of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards being held on Friday, October 30 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
The 2026 Daytime Emmys as previously reported can be seen streamed via the The Emmys,YouTube channel, via watch.theemmys.tv, as well as on the official Emmys app, available for phones, tablets, and smart TVs.
Here’s a breakdown of the pre, during and post Daytime Emmys coverage via Extra below!
Beginning Monday, October 26, Extra will feature five nights of dedicated Daytime Emmys segments leading up to the ceremony, giving fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the award show.
In addition, Mona Kosar Abdi, Weekend Host & Senior Correspondent with Extra will host the pre-show red carpet stream on the @TheEmmys Youtube channel.
Extra host and Dancing with the Stars judge, Derek Hough will present during the ceremony, and correspondent Terri Seymour will also host coverage throughout the evening.
Extra’s weekend edition (A WEEK FOLLOWING the ceremony) will features notable red carpet moments, winner reactions, and exclusive footage from the night’s festivities.
The entertainment news program is also nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards going into the ceremony.
So, what do you think of Extra’s scheduled upcoming coverage of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards starting on Monday? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
Congratulations are in order for three-time Emmy winner, Tom Pelphrey (ex-GL and ATWT) and his fiancée Big Bang Theory star, Kaley Cuoco! The couple welcomed their second baby daughter together on October 12, and revealed they named the little bundle of joy, Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey.
Tom and Kaley shared the news via their Instagram accounts on Wednesday with some adorable baby pics. Cuoco captioned the photo“🎀Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey🎀. 💖10/12/26💖. There are no words to describe this feeling once again. What a blessing.
Cuoco added, “We are so grateful for the crazy wild up and down journey that brought us to our little Philo! Family officially complete 😭Time to bring Matilda’s baby home! 😂💕”
Photo: KCuoco IG
BABY MAKES FOUR
Next, Kaley shared her love for the father of her children, exclaiming, “Tom Pelphrey, life exploded the minute we met, and the gifts keep coming. I love you forever , girl daddy! 💘.”
Philomena now joins big sister, Matilda mwho was born in 2023, as part of the Pelphrey/Cuoco family! Tom and Kaley began dating in 2022 and became engaged in 2024.
Daytime fans first saw the talented actor on Guiding Light as Jonathan Randall, the son of Reva Shayne (Kim Zimmer). Tom won two Daytime Emmys for his memorable performances during his run from 2004-2009.
He later played Mick Dante on As the World Turns from 2009-2010, before heading to work in primetime and motion pictures. Last month, Pelphrey one the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in HBO’s Task.
TOM PELPHREY CELEBRATES EMMY WIN AND NEW DAUGHTER WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER
After winning his Emmy, the expectant dad told E! News, “We’re both so excited. Our daughter’s excited. We’ll see how it goes when it actually gets there.” Tom added, “The things that are new and the things that feel like not a big deal this time. But mom and baby are healthy, so God willing, that keeps up, and we’re thrilled,” added the actor.
Pelphrey took to his own Instagram and said on the birth of his second daughter, “Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey. Another miracle. Welcome to our family youngest queen! Kaley you showed up in every way as a partner and a mom even when you weren’t feeling your best- you’re a CHAMPION. The girls and I would be lost without you. Thank God for the gift of this family and these girls.”
Jumping in to the comment thread to congratulate Tom and Kaley were Beyond the Gates star Ashley Jones (Heather), Dave Annabelle, Martha Plimpton, Alyssa Milano and many more.
Share your congrats and well-wishes to Tom, Kaley, Matilda and their new addition to the family, little Philomena via the comment section below.
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DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Xander Fights for His Life, Halloween in Salem, Lani Returns to the Salem PD
Y&R’s Jason Thompson and Mark Grossman Deliver the ‘Power Performances of the Week’
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings on Hayley’s Pregnancy, ‘Friendship’ with Leslie, and Working with Timon Kyle Durrett (Exclusive)
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