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One Life to Live's Erika Slezak Makes Statement On The Passing Of Longtime Co-Star Patricia Elliott

Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos

Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos

On Monday, the daytime television industry learned of the passing of the extraordinarily talented, Patricia Elliott.   Best known on television for her role as OLTL’s Renee Divine Buchanan (an ex-madam whose heart, no matter what, always belonged to one man, Asa Buchanan), and her acclaimed performances on Broadway, died at the age of 77 from cancer.

Elliott’s longtime One Life to Live co-star was six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (Viki).  In Llanview,  Renee and Viki always crossed paths, and certainly when they were dealing with the troubles of the Buchanan men in their lives.

On her website, Slezak shared her sentiments: “My dear friend and colleague Patricia Elliott passed away from a very rare cancer on Sunday. Pat was a wonderful, kind, generous soul, with a wicked sense of humor and a great deal of talent. She was a friend, and a woman to whom I always turned when I had questions or needed advice. I will miss her and I wish her peace and quiet now, which is what she always looked for.”

Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/MaxPhotos

In addition in her annual holiday letter to her fan club, Erika reflected back on 2015 as to her time with her family and away from show business:  “All I know is that I am enjoying myself.  If work comes along, and it’s good and interesting, I would probably be happy to do it, but so far, nothing interesting has shown up. So that’s just fine by me.”

Share your thoughts in the comment section below on  Erika’s statement on the loss of her dear friend and colleague, Patricia Elliott, and what Erika related about the status of finding a role she would be up for playing, and she would enjoy doing.

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She will be missed but not forgotten she was a great lady and I lover and her on one lifte to live

We miss you Erika and so sorry for your loss,our thoughts and prayers are with you

Agreed! May Nate (Al Holden/Michael McBain), David Canary (Adam/ Stewart Chandler and now Patricia Elliot (Renée Divine Buchanan) All rest in Peace!

Nothing would make me happier than to see the talented Erika Slezak back on television. Preferably opposite the fabulous Robin Strasser. So sad that we are having to say goodbye to Patricia Elliott. One Life to Live was full of amazing ladies!

Patricia Elliott’s passing is a sad event; she was a wonderful actor. I wish I had seen her perform on the stage. It’s been a sad year for fans of OLTL and AMC as well. I miss Erika Slezak and would love to see her on GH – perhaps a long lost Cassadine ?

I will also miss Me. Elliott. She was wonderful on oltl. I would LOVE to see ES on tv anywhere. She would make a wonderful hospital administrator for GH! I could see her going head to head with olbrerch and being a stern but fair matriarch. Maybe she could be a long lost Hardy. Steve’s sister????

I don’t know what the legal ramifications would be, but if ERIKA SLEZAK were to come to General Hospital I would watch it (I currently do not) – I would wish that she could come back as Victoria Lord from Landview and that they would eventually incorporate more Landview residents. But, since none of us seem to know what the current “rights” status is to characters from One Life to Live (or All My Children) I suppose that won’t happen. I think an actress as great as she is should be working. But, as I said, I don’t know if Prospect Park or ABC-TV holds the rights to the characters. To my way of viewing the situation, if Prospect Park had only stayed out of the situation maybe some of these characters could have done a “cross over” or two appearance on General Hospital.
Does anyone know what the current rights status is?

I miss you Erika so very much as well as others from OLTL. My heart broke when you gave the speach at the very end of the show. You are one beautiful woman besides being a terrific actress too. I wish abc would settle the darn law suit so if you and the cast would come back and do us the honor of visiting us in our homes once again. You were always like a family member.
Your letter to your fans was classy as ever and yes, Patricia Elliot will definitely be missed. I loved her as Renée and thought she was the bread that held Asa together. The Soap World has lost three is a very short time staring with Nathaniel then AMC’s David Canary and now Patricia too. This has been a very sad month or so.

I love you Erika and I have many memories of you too.

Sincerely, Joe

A long lost Hardy would be perfect 🙂 Loved having you and the entire cast of OLTL over the years in my living room. Would love for it to become a reality again one day soon.

i would love to see erika slezak back on daytime – however i watch all four remaining soaps and none of the writing teams would be able to do her phenomenal acting skills justice …….this is just my opinion

I have to disagree. I think she could be on B&B… a partner for John McCook? Could that work for you?

oh yes i could definitely see her paired with john mccook but tptb/writers will have to be more creative with their style of writing……………
happy holidays chris milligan!

Would love to see Erika Slezak on Young and The Restless. Maybe a long lost sister to Victor Newman. One who will be his good side!

Hello Erika,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your friend Patricia. I loved her on OLTL. I still miss OLTL. But I understand stand that you’re enjoying this time off. When something does come along that you would be interested in doing please let your fans know. I wish you & your family a very Merry Christmas & a blessed New Year.
Cathy

Erika, I would be thrilled to see you on the screen once more, but until then, enjoy your retirement, and have a wonderful holiday season. Miss seeing you on OLTL.

I loved One Life to Life! I’m so sorry to here of “Renee” passing. May she rest in peace! The world has lost an amazing actress.

So sorry to hear this news. Reminds me again how much I miss this show. RIP Pat Elliot you will be missed.

Sympathies and blessings to all that had Patricia Elliot as a part of their lives. She portrayed the character of Renee as one whose loyalty as/to the Buchanans was unquestionable and unwaivering. I always enjoyed seeing her on the screen.

I’ve hoped for sometime that a smart soap would tap into Erika Slezak’s talents, she was a huge force in the success of OLTL. I do hope to see her cast in a role worthy of her talents soon. Another key family of strength is needed in Port Charles as the Quartermains keep crumbling and keep trying to rebuild over and over again.

So sad to learn of Ms. Elliott’s passing. Asa met his match only once and it was Renee. As for Ms. Slezak, I think GH needs a Chairman of the Board to battle Olbrecht…and maybe Tracy.

Patricia Elliott was a fine actress and she will be missed!!!!! additionally i have to say i truly miss OLTL it was my favorite soap and Llandview was full of crazy residents.

Very classy statement from a very classy lady. You are missed very much. I would love to see you on the screen again, until then enjoy your time with your family.

Yes i just heard yesterday, and it sent chills down my back, i loved her on OLTL for many yrs. She will be missed. RIP

I love Erica and of course Patricia and One Life to Live and miss it all! Maybe we can just make a whole new soap with Vickie’ new neighbor Erica? Pineview with all the old characters we can get back. Llandview was wiped out by a flood and Pine Valley was wiped out by a tornado and all survivors develop a new town called Pineview . How cool would that be??? Love you all and Merry Christmas

I love it 🙂

As a former actor, I know the bonds that are made after a short run of any play. Acting is an incredibly bonding experience, I can’t imagine what it would be like after decades! Ms. Slezak has had a great loss that few could understand. I’m sorry for you and all your cast,ages.

Together you all filled many peoples days with wonderful stories for many years.

I wish this section had a like button

Thank you.. Wishing you a happy new year.

Ms. Slezak, I miss you and OLTL so much. I keep hoping that ABC will wise up and bring you and the show back to my TV. I enjoyed the show from 1967 when I came back from Germany with my family, until those dunderheads took it off. I am glad to know that you are enjoying life with your family. I wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS & THE ALL THE BEST IS THE COMING YEAR. Thank you again for all the hours of entertainment. I won’t forget.

She will be miss I sure will miss her on one life to live she was a good person

I have been watching since the 60’s also. Sure do miss these shows.

Patricia’s mother and my mother were business partners in the 60’s and 70’s. Patricia was the older contemporary I looked up to with sparkling eyes. We stayed in touch through the years and became very close when our parents started dying. I stayed in her darling coach house apartment in Chelsea several times, late in her career, and her stories always delighted me. She could sure tell ’em! I am so sorry to hear that she is gone, and hope she did not suffer much.

God Bless You & Rest In Peace, Patricia Elliott! <3 🙂

News

Robin Strasser Meets Kristen Alderson’s Baby Kiera in a One Life to Live Reunion

For years, Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian) and Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) have been the best of friends and the best of co-stars. On One Life to Live, Kristen was only six-years-old when she began her journey as Todd and Blair’s daughter and met the iconic Strasser.

Now in 2024, Kristen is a new mom to her baby girl, Kiera. Strasser, who lives in New York, along with her best friend, John, traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just a few days ago to visit the Alderson family and spend the day with Kiera.

Taking to her Instagram a very happy Kristen shared, “Look at who came to visit today! Robin & her bestie John! Robin and I got all misty eyed when she met Kiera today!”

Photo: JPI

In a very touching part of her post, Alderson expressed, “Robin is such a special person in my life, it means so much to me that we’re as close as we are. She’s just the best❤️ A great day of laughs & a great brunch spread😍”

Robin added, “I’ve been smiling since I met her. I’m a big softie for babies, but what a doll Kiera is!” The Daytime Emmy-winning star, also shared, “I’m so grateful for my ongoing friendship with Kris and Kathy. Amazing women and loyal friends!”

What do you think about Kristen and Robin’s enduring friendship and recalling their time on One Life to Live? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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