John Aniston, Star Of “Days Of Our Lives,” Has Died

Soap opera icon John Aniston has passed away. The actor was best known for his long-running role as villain Victor Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives, but non-soap fans may know him as Jennifer Aniston’s dad. He was 89 years old.

53-year-old Jennifer posted a sweet tribute to her father on Instagram. She called him “one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew,” adding she was grateful that he passed peacefully “without pain.” Jen shared that John died on Friday, November 11, aka 11/11:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck8aKjLrYzs/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=f7ae6411-40f7-44c3-9ed6-290b080ef86c

John Aniston was born on the island of Crete, Greece in 1933. His birth name was Yannis Anastassakis, but when the family moved to the U.S. when he was 2-years-old, they all anglicized their names. The family settled in Chester, Pennsylvania. John went to Pennsylvania State University for theater, and, after college, he served in the navy. He began his acting career in the sixties.

John married his first wife, Nancy Dow, in 1965. They welcomed their daughter, Jennifer, in 1969. Jennifer was born in L.A., but the family moved to New York City a few years later. Nancy and John divorced in 1980. Four years later, he married actress Sherry Rooney and became a step-dad to Sherry’s son, John Melick. The couple welcomed another son, Alex Aniston, in 1989. Sherry and John remained together until his death. Nancy Dow passed away in 2016 at age 79.

John’s first soap role was on Days of Our Lives in 1970. He played a character named Eric Richards. After that, he played Eddie Aleata on Love of Life (that’s where he met Sherry) and Martin Tourneur on Search for Tomorrow. Then, in 1985, he returned to Days of Our Lives as legendary romantic villain, Victor Kiriakis. Victor was known for his biting sarcasm and witty one-liners. John played the role up until his death, and his last episode will air on December 26. Days of Our Lives posted this video tribute to John:

Our hearts are broken over the loss of our beloved family member John Aniston. We love you John. Your legend will live on.
#DaysOfOurLives #Days @peacock pic.twitter.com/IWPArGRKQH

— Days of our Lives (@DaysPeacock) November 14, 2022

DOOL co-creator Ken Corday also shared this statement with People:

“It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of one of our own — our beloved and legendary cast member and dear friend, John Aniston. It is truly unimaginable to think he won’t be stepping foot on our set again, but it’s comforting to all of us to know that he is at rest and no longer in pain,” the statement began.

“John was one of the best — kind, smart, witty and incredibly talented. It is enormously fitting that he received the Emmy for Lifetime Achievement this past year,” he continued. “There is no question that all of us at Days will be mourning this great and profound loss. John was an icon, but even more so, he was a pillar of strength and unity for our Days of Our Lives community. He, along with our ‘Victor Kiriakis,’ will forever be in our hearts. Our love and support goes out to his family and all those who knew him.”

John was recently honored with a Daytime Emmys Lifetime Achievement Award for playing Victor. He didn’t attend the June ceremony, but Jennifer appeared virtually to celebrate her dad’s career.

When the Television Academy Foundation asked John about his proudest career achievement, he replied, “I don’t know. Some play down the line somewhere. Maybe Royal Hunt of the Sun… We did it at Theatre East.” He said his biggest career regret was not booking the role of Ted Baxter (played by the late, great Ted Knight) on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. John was told he didn’t get the part because the writers didn’t want any possibility of romance between Ted and Mary. John was just too damn sexy. Rest in peace, ya handsome devil…

Pic: Sara De Boer/startraksphoto.com