Karen Wolek is a fictional character appearing on the American soap
opera One Life to Live between May 1976 and February 1983. The role
was most notably performed by Judith Light beginning in November 1977.
Karen ultimately departs for an off-screen life in Canada, coinciding
with Light's departure from the series.Newcomer Kathryn Breech
originated the role of Karen from 1976 until July 1977. Julia Duffy
assumed the role from July through November 1977, when the character
was permanently recast with theater actress Judith Light. Light was
offered the role after auditioning as an understudy. Light departed in
1983â€"to star in ABC's new primetime sitcom Who's the Boss?â€"and the
role of Karen was not recast.Newcomer Kathryn Breech originated the
role of Karen from 1976 until July 1977. Julia Duffy assumed the role
from July through November 1977, when the character was permanently
recast with theater actress Judith Light. Light was offered the role
after auditioning as an understudy. Light departed in 1983â€"to star
in ABC's new primetime sitcom Who's the Boss?â€"and the role of Karen
was not recast.The sister of Jenny (Katherine Glass) and distant
cousin to the Woleks, Karen (Kathryn Breech) first appears on screen
in 1976, a year after her sister's arrival. Where Jenny was created as
a confident, kind-hearted heroine, Karen was presented as a scheming,
two-dimensional gold digger. She sought an easy life as the fiancée
of wealthy doctor and distant cousin Larry Wolek (Michael Storm). As
Karen and Larry's wedding day approached, Karen entangled herself with
recently arrived former lover and con artist Marco Dane (Gerald
Anthony), who threatened to reveal the dealings of their past
relationship with Larry. They marry onscreen March 31, 1977. As
fiscally-responsible breadwinner Larry refused to dole out exorbitant
allowances to pay for his fiancée's expensive tastes, Karen soon
engaged in afternoon trysts with wealthy businessmen such as Talbot
Huddleston (Byron Sanders) in order to afford luxuries. When Marco
discovered Karen's dalliances, he forced her (Julia Duffy) to become a
"housewife hooker," prostituting in order for Karen to prevent Larry
from uncovering the truth.By late 1977, Karen's leading storyline
ramped up when actress Judith Light notably assumed the role of Karen.
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, Karen's afternoon affairs become less about money and
more about her dissatisfaction with being a stay-at-home housewife. Karen Wolek Top Movies & Young Movies