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

By Michael Fairman

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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 🙂

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

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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.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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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?

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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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