Who Plays Donna Duvall On Blue Bloods?
The character of Donna Duvall first appears in the "Blue Bloods" Season 9 episode "Identity," after a package meant for Henry Reagan (Len Cariou) is stolen from his porch. The parcel contains a graduation gift for great-granddaughter Nicky (Sami Gayle), so Henry asks his neighbor Donna if he can see what her security camera captured.
Unfortunately, they discover Donna's granddaughter, a drug addict, is the culprit. Henry isn't angry, however, and encourages Donna to help her. Tragically, the young woman dies of an overdose before she can get any further treatment. The character is set to appear again in the upcoming episode "Nothing Sacred," airing January 6, 2023 (via Soap Opera Network). Here's more about the veteran actress who plays Donna on the CBS drama.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Erika Slezak was on One Life to Live for decades
Before she was Donna Duvall, Erika Slezak was soap opera royalty. She wasn't actually the first actress to play Victoria "Viki" Lord, the Lord family matriarch, on the classic soap opera "One Life to Live." Actresses Gillian Spencer and Joanne Dorian both appeared as the character before exiting the daytime show for good in 1970 and 1971, respectively (via Soaps).
But Slezak became synonymous with the strong, wealthy socialite once she took over the role. She won several daytime Emmys over the years for her performance, and We Love Soaps named her #3 in their ranking of the 50 greatest soap actresses. Ultimately Slezak would portray Viki for decades, from 1971 until 2013, when the show was canceled for good after a brief online revival (via TV Insider).
Slezak has appeared on "The Resident" and in the TV movie "Next Stop, Christmas," but Victoria Lord is still her most iconic screen performance. The actress told the Television Academy that she never took it for granted, either. "It is a very, very good job," she said, "but it takes a lot of work, and it takes responsibility."