On Friday, November 11, John Aniston passed away. He played Victor Kiriakis in nearly 3,000 episodes of “Days of Our Lives.” He was 89.
The actor, who was born in Greece and was nominated for an Emmy, appeared not only on the NBC soap opera but also on the daytime serials “Love of Life” and “Search for Tomorrow.” He was a cast member for more than 30 years.
Aniston was presented with a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 for his work on the soap opera “Days of Our Lives.” This portrayal garnered him two Soap Opera Digest Awards in 1986: one for excellent actor in a leading role and another for outstanding villain on a daytime serial. Both awards were presented to him in 1986.
Additionally, he was Jennifer Aniston’s father, and she revealed this on her Instagram account first thing on Monday morning, saying, “Sweet papa… John Anthony Aniston. You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew. I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace — and without pain. And on 11/11 no less! You always had perfect timing. That number will forever hold an even greater meaning for me now.”
Kojak, Star Trek: Voyager, Gilmore Girls, The West Wing, Mad Men, Combat!, The Virginian, That Girl, I Spy, Airwolf, My Big Fat Greek Life, American Dreams, Journeyman, and Cold Case are just some of the shows in which Aniston has appeared.
Aniston spent his childhood in Pennsylvania after relocating there with his family from the Greek island of Crete, where he was born. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts from Pennsylvania State University and going on to serve in the United States Navy as an intelligence officer, he returned back to teach at the university. The episode “New Man in the Precinct” from the 1962 season of “87th Precinct” featured Jennifer Aniston in his debut acting performance as “Officer #1.” By the 1980s, Aniston had established herself as a dependable character in soap operas.
In 1969, he made his debut on “Days of Our Lives” playing the role of Dr. Eric Richards, but he left the show after only one year to work on CBS and NBC’s “Love of Life” and “Search for Tomorrow” respectively. Aniston made his comeback to the role of the now-iconic crime boss Victor Kiriakis on “Days” in 1985.
Aniston, rest in peace!