Birth Name: Erika Hermina Slezak
Place of Birth: Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: August 5, 1946
Ethnicity:
*Czech/Moravian, Austrian, Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*Dutch (mother)
Erika Slezak is an American actress.
Erika is the daughter of Johanna Elisabeth “Kaasi” (Van Rijn) and Walter Slezak, who was an actor and singer. Erika’s father was from Vienna, Austria, and was of Czech/Moravian, Austrian, and Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Erika’s mother was Dutch. Erika was raised in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Erika’s paternal grandfather was Leo Slezak, who was a tenor associated with Austrian opera. He was born in Šumperk, Czech Republic, of Moravian background.
Erika’s paternal grandmother was Elsa Wertheim (the daughter of Wilhelm Wertheim and Antonie Strassmeier). 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 grandparents were B. F. Van Rijn and Hermina Petersen.
Sources: Genealogy of Erika Slezak (focusing on her father’s side) – http:/www.geni.com
Marriage record of Erika’s parents, Walter Slezak and Johanna Van Rijn – http://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of Erika’s mother, Johanna Elisabeth (Van Rijn) Slezak – http://www.findagrave.com
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