As word on the passing of Jerry verDorn continues to trickle out, and as colleagues, family and friends continue sharing some of their fondest memories of the beloved actor across social media and elsewhere, verDorn’s former “One Life to Live” co-star, Erika Slezak, has shared with Soap Opera Network her own memories of the actor from their eight years together where she played Victoria “Viki” Lord Buchanan to verDorn’s Clint Buchanan.
“For anyone who knew Jerry verDorn, Sunday, May 1st, was a heartbreakingly sad day. He was a man of such warmth and kindness, talent, intelligence and most importantly humor, that every day spent working with him could hardly be called work. It was joy,” Slezak said of verDorn. “He so loved what he did and was so very good at it. I was the very lucky recipient of his last 8 years in daytime and I thank God for that.”
Jerry verDorn joined the cast of “One Life to Live” as Clint Buchanan in October 2005. He remained with the daytime drama series until it concluded its run on ABC in January 2012. He reprised the role in April 2013 after the show returned and transitioned to an online format that amassed just over 40 episodes. He was joined by Slezak who also reprised her role on the soap.
“He made every day one to look forward to. I will always think of him with that lovely, rather impish, smile on his face, and that will stay in my heart forever,” Slezak notes. “I know that he has gone to a peaceful place, with no pain. I send my love and deepest sympathies to Beth and their sons and their families, of whom he was so very proud. They have lost a great man.”
From 1979-2005, verDorn starred as Ross Marler on “Guiding Light.” In 1995 and 1996, he won two consecutive Daytime Emmy Awards for his portrayal on the soap, both in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. He died on Sunday, May 1 after a months-long battle with cancer.
The family of verDorn asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions in Jerry’s memory can be made to the American Cancer Society, Autism Speaks, the Actors Fund, or a charity of choice.
A private memorial celebration will be held later this summer.
You can read Slezak’s full statement below:
“For anyone who knew Jerry verDorn, Sunday, May 1st, was a heartbreakingly sad day. He was a man of such warmth and kindness, talent, intelligence and most importantly humor, that every day spent working with him could hardly be called work. It was joy. He so loved what he did and was so very good at it. I was the very lucky recipient of his last 8 years in daytime and I thank God for that.
“He made every day one to look forward to. I will always think of him with that lovely, rather impish, smile on his face, and that will stay in my heart forever. I know that he has gone to a peaceful place, with no pain. I send my love and deepest sympathies to Beth and their sons and their families, of whom he was so very proud. They have lost a great man.”