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Frank Valentini, executive producer of the hit soap opera “One Life To Live,” issued a statement following the death of star Amanda Davies.
“I had the great pleasure of watching Amanda Slezak (Davies) grow during my tenure on ‘One Life To Live’ and knowing that Erika’s (Slezak) role as ‘mom’ was the most important,” Valentini, 61, he told the people.
“I am very saddened to hear of your tremendous loss. My heart goes out to my dear friend, her family, and her friends during this difficult time.”
Valentini served as executive producer of the show from 2003 to 2012.
Davies, who has 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 soap opera during its brief revival in 2013.
On Monday, Slezak website informed fans about her daughter’s death.
“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.
His father, Brian Davies, 85, starred in several high-profile films including “American Gigolo,” “Convoy” and “The Age of Innocence.”
Davies’ grandfather, Tony Award-winning actor Walter Slezak, also appeared on the long-running soap opera in 1976.
Davies is survived by his 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 of breast cancer in July 2023. She was 66 years old.
“Andrea and I worked together for a long time,” Slezak wrote. “On her first day at work, she lived a block from me and I accompanied her to work. She was just a little girl, she had never been to New York, so sweet, kind and loving. It is surprising that she has played such a complicated, confusing and selfish character so well.”
News of Davies’ passing comes after the deaths of fellow soap stars Ellen Holly and Kamar de los Reyes.
Holly, who was the first black person to star in a soap opera, died 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 shortly after being diagnosed with cancer.