Larry Wolek
Encyclopedia
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.
, Meredith, but her father Victor didn't approve of the match. In 1969, Victor pushed Meredith into an engagement with the more socially-acceptable Dr. Ted Hale. Meredith later called it off, and when Ted fell down some stairs to his death while in Larry's company, Larry was arrested for murder. To complicate matters, nurse Karen Martin had overheard Larry and Ted arguing over Meredith, and Larry threatening Ted. Meredith died in 1973 following a botched robbery at Llanfair, leaving Larry a widower and single-father to their infant son, Daniel.
Larry stood trial and was nearly convicted, but it was revealed that Larry had threatened Ted because Hale had himself threatened to tell Meredith a terrible secret that Larry was keeping from her: Meredith was dying from a blood disease. Ted had fallen by accident. Larry was released and hoped to spend with Meredith whatever time she had left, but she had overheard the truth about her condition. Wanting to spare Larry the pain of watching her die, Meredith ran away to San Francisco and left him a letter telling him she didn't love him. A devastated Larry found solace in the arms of Karen Martin, and when Meredith returned and rejected him, he again turned to Karen Martin.
Karen Martin saved Larry from a fire that left him badly burned and bandaged for weeks; when he recovered, he gave in to her advances. Meredith's condition miraculously improved, and he hoped for a reconciliation; eventually she admitted that she loved him. Days later, however, Karen revealed to Larry that she was pregnant with his child. A heartbroken Larry married Karen Martin to prevent her from having an illegal abortion. Karen miscarried in 1970; she and Larry separated, but Meredith had already become engaged to Tom Edwards. Loyal to Tom, she promised to stay with him, but after seeing the undeniable love between her and Larry, Tom let her go.
Meredith and Larry married, and in 1972 they decided to start a family. Though Meredith was pregnant with twins, only one, named Daniel, survived; she became deeply depressed, and was treated by Dr. Joyce Brothers
. Tragically, in 1973, thieves broke into Llanfair, and Meredith fell and hit her head when one of the gunmen shoved her away from the phone. She died, but not before asking Viki to tell Larry how happy he had made her. The widower is left raise their infant son Daniel as a single father.
arrive in Llanview. He falls in love with Karen Wolek, marrying her in 1977. Karen becomes dissatified with her life as an upper middle class
housewife, supplementing her husband's allowance
by prostituting
herself. Larry first learns of her prostitution when Karen admits to it at Viki's trial for the apparent murder of Karen's ex-boyfriend and con man
Marco Dane. Larry divorces Karen after the public revelation in 1979.
The character was prominent throughout the 1980s and 1990s but was eventually featured mainly as the town doctor involved with most medical emergencies occurring with central characters. Larry last appears May 28, 2004, telling Viki he'd be leaving town to visit Daniel.
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 role was originated on the debut episode July 15, 1968, and most notably portrayed by actor Michael Storm
Michael Storm
Michael Storm is an American actor.Storm has appeared on many television shows, but is recognized by many for his recurring role as the third Dr. Larry Wolek on the ABC soap opera, One Life to Live. He has played this role on-and-off since 1969, last appearing in May 2004, Storm still remains on...
who played the role nearly continuously from January 4, 1969 through 2004.
Enter Larry
The brother of Vince Wolek, Dr. Larry Wolek is introduced as the boyfriend of the younger sister of Viki LordVictoria Lord
Victoria "Viki" Lord is the principal fictional character and matriarch of the Lord family on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live...
, Meredith, but her father Victor didn't approve of the match. In 1969, Victor pushed Meredith into an engagement with the more socially-acceptable Dr. Ted Hale. Meredith later called it off, and when Ted fell down some stairs to his death while in Larry's company, Larry was arrested for murder. To complicate matters, nurse Karen Martin had overheard Larry and Ted arguing over Meredith, and Larry threatening Ted. Meredith died in 1973 following a botched robbery at Llanfair, leaving Larry a widower and single-father to their infant son, Daniel.
Larry stood trial and was nearly convicted, but it was revealed that Larry had threatened Ted because Hale had himself threatened to tell Meredith a terrible secret that Larry was keeping from her: Meredith was dying from a blood disease. Ted had fallen by accident. Larry was released and hoped to spend with Meredith whatever time she had left, but she had overheard the truth about her condition. Wanting to spare Larry the pain of watching her die, Meredith ran away to San Francisco and left him a letter telling him she didn't love him. A devastated Larry found solace in the arms of Karen Martin, and when Meredith returned and rejected him, he again turned to Karen Martin.
Karen Martin saved Larry from a fire that left him badly burned and bandaged for weeks; when he recovered, he gave in to her advances. Meredith's condition miraculously improved, and he hoped for a reconciliation; eventually she admitted that she loved him. Days later, however, Karen revealed to Larry that she was pregnant with his child. A heartbroken Larry married Karen Martin to prevent her from having an illegal abortion. Karen miscarried in 1970; she and Larry separated, but Meredith had already become engaged to Tom Edwards. Loyal to Tom, she promised to stay with him, but after seeing the undeniable love between her and Larry, Tom let her go.
Meredith and Larry married, and in 1972 they decided to start a family. Though Meredith was pregnant with twins, only one, named Daniel, survived; she became deeply depressed, and was treated by Dr. Joyce Brothers
Joyce Brothers
Joyce Brothers is an American psychologist, television personality and advice columnist, publishing a daily syndicated newspaper column since 1960.-Personal life:...
. Tragically, in 1973, thieves broke into Llanfair, and Meredith fell and hit her head when one of the gunmen shoved her away from the phone. She died, but not before asking Viki to tell Larry how happy he had made her. The widower is left raise their infant son Daniel as a single father.
Karen Wolek
By the end of the 1970s, distant cousins Jenny and Karen WolekKaren Wolek
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...
arrive in Llanview. He falls in love with Karen Wolek, marrying her in 1977. Karen becomes dissatified with her life as an upper middle class
Upper middle class
The upper middle class is a sociological concept referring to the social group constituted by higher-status members of the middle class. This is in contrast to the term "lower middle class", which is used for the group at the opposite end of the middle class stratum, and to the broader term "middle...
housewife, supplementing her husband's allowance
Allowance
Allowance may refer to:*Allowance *Allowances in accounting, see Accounts receivable*Personal allowance in the United Kingdom's taxing system* Jobseeker's Allowance, a term for unemployment benefit in the United Kingdom* EU Allowances...
by 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...
herself. Larry first learns of her prostitution when Karen admits to it at Viki's trial for the apparent murder of Karen's ex-boyfriend and con man
Con Man
Con Man or Conman may refer to:* A con artist, or a person who uses a fraud method known as a confidence trick* Con Man, a.k.a. Freelance , starring Ian McShane...
Marco Dane. Larry divorces Karen after the public revelation in 1979.
The character was prominent throughout the 1980s and 1990s but was eventually featured mainly as the town doctor involved with most medical emergencies occurring with central characters. Larry last appears May 28, 2004, telling Viki he'd be leaving town to visit Daniel.