Karen Wolek
Encyclopedia
Karen Wolek is a fictional character
on the American
soap opera
One Life to Live
. The character first appeared May 1976, originated by relative newcomer Kathryn Breech, and most notably portrayed by actress Judith Light
. Light stepped into the role in 1977, subsequently winning two consecutive Daytime Emmy Award
s for Lead Actress in a Drama Series
during her tenure. The character departs when Light left the series in 1983.
, she seeks an easy life as the presuming future wife of wealthy doctor and distant cousin Larry Wolek
. As Karen and Larry's wedding day approaches, Karen entangles herself with former lover and con artist Marco Dane, who arrives in town soon after her with the threat of blackmail
. As fiscally-responsible breadwinner
Larry refuses to dole out exorbitant allowances to pay for his fiancée's expensive tastes, Karen soon engages in afternoon tryst
s with wealthy businessmen such as Talbot Huddleston in order to afford luxuries. When ex-boyfriend Marco discovers Karen's dalliances, he forces her to become a "housewife hooker," prostituting
in order for Karen to prevent Larry from uncovering the truth.
At about this point in the storyline in 1977, actress Judith Light
assumes the role of Karen (from brief recast Julia Duffy). Early on, the character tended to be a typical soap opera gold-digging vixen, Light brought the character and the show to critical-acclaim. Light's extensive theater experience added multidimensional facets to the character. Light's Karen grew to suffer from low self-esteem
, driven by an obsessive desire for love and acceptance. As she steps into the role, in soon becomes apparent that Karen's afternoon affairs become less about money and more about her dissatisfaction with being a stay-at-home housewife.
As the storyline progresses, Karen at last confides in her friend, media tycoon Viki Lord Riley
, as to the details of the life she was leading. Viki keeps Karen's lurid secret, and soon wages a public campaign of her resources as publisher of The Banner newspaper and other outlets against Marco's brothel
, masquerading as a modeling agency. Amid the turmoil, Marco is murdered and accused Viki is charge
d with and tried
for his apparent murder. With guilt festering in her conscious, Karen testifies midway through Viki's trial, delivering a scene named as one of the most memorable moments in television by TV Guide
. Coming to Viki's defense, Karen breaks down at the stand, unable to corroborate a timeline of her whereabouts without admitting to her dealings with Marco. Light's Karen lashes out on the stand at the prosecutor
, revealing her secret life of prostitution to jurors and, for the first time, to her now-husband Larry. Upon hearing of the revelation, Larry requests an immediate divorce from Karen, to which she concedes.
Karen finds refuge while living in the boarding house
of Ina Hopkins. There, she discovers Marco Dane is still alive
and living under an assumed identity. During this time, Karen is raped by Brad Vernon and pulled into a stolen-baby debacle with her sister Jenny. Karen is then troubled by menacing Llanview Hospital doctor, Ivan Kipling. Dr. Kipling, a prominent surgeon and one her former clients, feared she would expose him. Ivan unsuccessfully attempts to kill Karen who, upon escaping, is taken to the hospital where an unknowing Dr. Kipling receives Karen as his trauma
victim. After treating her, Ivan develops an unhealthy infatuation with Karen, for which his is unable to attempt to murder her again, instead leaving Llanview with the looming threat. Ivan later returns to menace Karen again, brainwashing Larry to undermine the integrity of his extended family
and namely Karen. It was during this odd caper that Karen met government agent Steve Piermont. Upon their meeting in 1983, Karen said a final goodbye to rehabilitated former husband Larry and enemy-turned-friend Marco, leaving Llanview to enter witness protection
and a romantic relationship Steve in Canada
.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
on the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
One Life to Live
One Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
. The character first appeared May 1976, originated by relative newcomer Kathryn Breech, and most notably portrayed by actress Judith Light
Judith Light
Judith Ellen Light is an American actress. Her television roles include Karen Wolek on the soap opera One Life to Live, Angela Bower on the sitcom Who's the Boss?, Claire Meade on ABC's TV series Ugly Betty and Judge Elizabeth "Liz" Donnelly on Law & Order Special Victims Unit.-Early life:Light...
. Light stepped into the role in 1977, subsequently winning two consecutive Daytime Emmy Award
Daytime Emmy Award
The Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
s for Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
The Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series is an award which has been given every year at the Daytime Emmys ceremony since 1974...
during her tenure. The character departs when Light left the series in 1983.
Storylines
The sister of Jenny Wolek, Karen arrives to Llanview a year after her in 1976. Where Jenny was virtuous, kind-hearted and heroic, Karen is a walking bundle of jangled nerves. Initially, she was a two-dimensional gold diggerGold digger
A gold digger is someone who likes or takes interest to someone who is rich. It may also refer to:*"Gold Digger", 2005 single by Kanye West*"Gold Digger" , 2009 single by the British group The Dolly Rockers...
, she seeks an easy life as the presuming future wife of wealthy doctor and distant cousin Larry Wolek
Larry Wolek
Dr. Lawrence "Larry" Wolek is a fictional character on the American soap opera, One Life to Live. The role was originated on the debut episode July 15, 1968, and most notably portrayed by actor Michael Storm who played the role nearly continuously from January 4, 1969 through 2004.-Enter Larry:The...
. As Karen and Larry's wedding day approaches, Karen entangles herself with former lover and con artist Marco Dane, who arrives in town soon after her with the threat of blackmail
Blackmail
In common usage, blackmail is a crime involving threats to reveal substantially true or false information about a person to the public, a family member, or associates unless a demand is met. It may be defined as coercion involving threats of physical harm, threat of criminal prosecution, or threats...
. As fiscally-responsible breadwinner
Breadwinner
Breadwinner may refer to:* Breadwinner , an American math rock band* Breadwinner , a 2001 children's book by Deborah Ellis* The Bread-Winner , a 1930 play by William Somerset Maugham...
Larry refuses to dole out exorbitant allowances to pay for his fiancée's expensive tastes, Karen soon engages in afternoon tryst
Afternoon Delight (song)
"Afternoon Delight" is the title of a song recorded by American group, Starland Vocal Band, featuring close harmony and sexually suggestive wordplay. It was written by Bill Danoff, one of the members of the band. It became a number-one U.S. Billboard Hot 100 single on July 10, 1976...
s with wealthy businessmen such as Talbot Huddleston in order to afford luxuries. When ex-boyfriend Marco discovers Karen's dalliances, he forces her to become a "housewife hooker," prostituting
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
in order for Karen to prevent Larry from uncovering the truth.
At about this point in the storyline in 1977, actress Judith Light
Judith Light
Judith Ellen Light is an American actress. Her television roles include Karen Wolek on the soap opera One Life to Live, Angela Bower on the sitcom Who's the Boss?, Claire Meade on ABC's TV series Ugly Betty and Judge Elizabeth "Liz" Donnelly on Law & Order Special Victims Unit.-Early life:Light...
assumes the role of Karen (from brief recast Julia Duffy). Early on, the character tended to be a typical soap opera gold-digging vixen, Light brought the character and the show to critical-acclaim. Light's extensive theater experience added multidimensional facets to the character. Light's Karen grew to suffer from low self-esteem
Self-esteem
Self-esteem is a term in psychology to reflect a person's overall evaluation or appraisal of his or her own worth. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs and emotions such as triumph, despair, pride and shame: some would distinguish how 'the self-concept is what we think about the self; self-esteem, the...
, driven by an obsessive desire for love and acceptance. As she steps into the role, in soon becomes apparent that Karen's afternoon affairs become less about money and more about her dissatisfaction with being a stay-at-home housewife.
As the storyline progresses, Karen at last confides in her friend, media tycoon Viki Lord Riley
Victoria Lord
Victoria "Viki" Lord is the principal fictional character and matriarch of the Lord family on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live...
, as to the details of the life she was leading. Viki keeps Karen's lurid secret, and soon wages a public campaign of her resources as publisher of The Banner newspaper and other outlets against Marco's brothel
Brothel
Brothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
, masquerading as a modeling agency. Amid the turmoil, Marco is murdered and accused Viki is charge
Criminal charge
A criminal charge is a formal accusation made by a governmental authority asserting that somebody has committed a crime. A charging document, which contains one or more criminal charges or counts, can take several forms, including:* complaint...
d with and tried
Criminal procedure
Criminal procedure refers to the legal process for adjudicating claims that someone has violated criminal law.-Basic rights:Currently, in many countries with a democratic system and the rule of law, criminal procedure puts the burden of proof on the prosecution – that is, it is up to the...
for his apparent murder. With guilt festering in her conscious, Karen testifies midway through Viki's trial, delivering a scene named as one of the most memorable moments in television by TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
. Coming to Viki's defense, Karen breaks down at the stand, unable to corroborate a timeline of her whereabouts without admitting to her dealings with Marco. Light's Karen lashes out on the stand at the prosecutor
Prosecutor
The prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system, or the civil law inquisitorial system...
, revealing her secret life of prostitution to jurors and, for the first time, to her now-husband Larry. Upon hearing of the revelation, Larry requests an immediate divorce from Karen, to which she concedes.
Karen finds refuge while living in the boarding house
Boarding house
A boarding house, is a house in which lodgers rent one or more rooms for one or more nights, and sometimes for extended periods of weeks, months and years. The common parts of the house are maintained, and some services, such as laundry and cleaning, may be supplied. They normally provide "bed...
of Ina Hopkins. There, she discovers Marco Dane is still alive
Faked death
A faked death occurs when an individual leaves evidence to suggest that he or she is dead in order to mislead others. This may be done for a variety of reasons, such as to fraudulently collect insurance money or avoid capture by law enforcement for some other crime.People who fake their own deaths...
and living under an assumed identity. During this time, Karen is raped by Brad Vernon and pulled into a stolen-baby debacle with her sister Jenny. Karen is then troubled by menacing Llanview Hospital doctor, Ivan Kipling. Dr. Kipling, a prominent surgeon and one her former clients, feared she would expose him. Ivan unsuccessfully attempts to kill Karen who, upon escaping, is taken to the hospital where an unknowing Dr. Kipling receives Karen as his trauma
Trauma (medicine)
Trauma refers to "a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident." It can also be described as "a physical wound or injury, such as a fracture or blow." Major trauma can result in secondary complications such as circulatory shock, respiratory failure and death...
victim. After treating her, Ivan develops an unhealthy infatuation with Karen, for which his is unable to attempt to murder her again, instead leaving Llanview with the looming threat. Ivan later returns to menace Karen again, brainwashing Larry to undermine the integrity of his extended family
Extended family
The term extended family has several distinct meanings. In modern Western cultures dominated by nuclear family constructs, it has come to be used generically to refer to grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins, whether they live together within the same household or not. However, it may also refer...
and namely Karen. It was during this odd caper that Karen met government agent Steve Piermont. Upon their meeting in 1983, Karen said a final goodbye to rehabilitated former husband Larry and enemy-turned-friend Marco, leaving Llanview to enter witness protection
Witness protection
Witness protection is protection of a threatened witness or any person involved in the justice system, including defendants and other clients, before, during and after a trial, usually by police...
and a romantic relationship Steve in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.