Erika Slezak

photo by Prphotos.com

Birth Name: Erika Hermina Slezak

Place of Birth: Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: August 5, 1946

Ethnicity:
*father – Czech/Moravian, Austrian, Ashkenazi Jewish
*mother – Dutch

Erika Slezak is an American actress. She is known for her role on the soap opera One Life to Live.

Erika is the daughter of Johanna Elisabeth “Kaasi” (Van Rijn) and Walter Slezak, who was an actor and singer. Her father was born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, and was of Czech/Moravian, Austrian, and Ashkenazi Jewish descent. He mostly appeared in German films, until moving to the U.S. in 1930 and settling in Hollywood. Her mother was born in Bloemendaal, Bloemendaal Municipality, Noord-Holland, Netherlands. Erika was raised in Greenwich, Connecticut. Her aunt was actress Margarete Slezak. She is married to Brian Davies, with whom she has two children.

Erika’s paternal grandfather was Leo Slezak. Leo was a dramatic tenor, associated with Austrian opera. He was born in Mährisch-Schönberg/Šumperk, Czech Republic, of Moravian background, the son of a miller.

Erika’s paternal grandmother was Elisabeth/Elsa Wertheim (the daughter of Wilhelm Wertheim and Antonie Strassmeier). Elsa was born in Vienna. Wilhelm was Jewish, and was the son of Bernhard Wertheimer and Theresie Kann. It is not clear if Antonie was also Jewish.

Erika’s maternal grandfather was named B. F. Van Rijn.

Erika’s maternal grandmother was named Hermina Petersen.

Sources: Genealogy of Erika Slezak (focusing on her father’s side) – http:/www.geni.com

Marriage record of Erika’s parents – http://www.familysearch.org

Obituaries of Erika’s parents – http://www.findagrave.com