Frank Valentini, an executive producer on the hit soap opera “One Life to Live,” has released a statement following the death of star Amanda Davies.
“I had the great pleasure of watching Amanda Slezak grow up during my tenure at ‘One Life to Live’ and know that Erika’s role as ‘mom’ was her most important,” Valentini, 61, told People.
“I am so saddened to hear of her tremendous loss. My heart goes out to my dear friend, her family, and their friends during this difficult time.”
Valentini served as the show’s executive producer from 2003 to 2012.
Davies, who died at the age of 42, first appeared on the show in 2003 as a younger version of her mother Erika Slezak‘s character Victoria “Viki” Lord.
Slezak, 77, starred on the ABC series for nearly 2,500 episodes from 1971 until the show’s cancellation.
Both Slezak and her daughter returned to the long-running soap during its brief revival in 2013.
On Monday, Slezak’s website informed fans of Davies’ passing.
“It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of Erika’s daughter Amanda Elizabeth Davies who died very suddenly,” the statement read. “The family is heartbroken and would appreciate privacy at this time.”
At this time, no cause of death has been revealed.
Davies comes from a long line of Hollywood stars.
Her father, Brian Davies, 85, starred in several high-profile films such as “American Gigolo,” “Convoy” and “The Age of Innocence.”
Davies’ grandfather, Tony Award-winning actor Walter Slezak, also made an appearance on the long-running soap opera in 1976.
Davies is survived by her mother, father and brother Michael, 43.
Slezak’s website also mourned the death of her co-star Andrea Evans, who played Viki’s half-sister Tina Lord. Evans died from breast cancer in July 2023. She was 66.
“Andrea and I worked together for so long,” Slezak wrote. “On her first day at work, she was living one block away from me and I walked her to work. She was just a child — never been to N.Y.C. — so sweet and kind and loving. Amazing that she played such a complicated, confused and selfish character so well.”
The news of Davies’ passing comes after the deaths of fellow soap opera stars Ellen Holly and Kamar de los Reyes.
Holly, who was the first Black person to star in a soap opera, passed away in her sleep at the age of 92 during her stay at Calvary Hospital on December 6.
That same month, De los Reyes died at age 56 after shortly after being diagnosed with cancer.
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