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Day of Our Lives actor John Aniston — the wildly popular supervillain Victor Kiriakis and father to Friends actress Jennifer Aniston — died Nov. 11 at the age of 89. His death was confirmed by the actress in a touching Instagram post:
“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 🕊️I’ll love you till the end of time💔.”
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The Greek-born actor won a 2022 lifetime achievement award at the Daytime Emmys for playing the scheming Kiriakis for more than three decades in 3,000 episodes in which his character was killed off (only to resurface alive) multiple times while wreaking nonstop havoc throughout the fictional town of Salem.
Lauren Koslow and John Aniston in a scene from "Days of Our Lives."
Moviestore Collection Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo
Though John could not attend the event, Jennifer appeared virtually to pay homage to her father, saying, “This is truly a special moment for me. It’s an opportunity to not only pay tribute to a true icon in the daytime television world, but it’s also a chance to recognize the lifelong achievements of a great and well-respected actor, who also happens to be my dad.”
In his long career, the veteran actor appeared on the daytime drama Search for Tomorrow from 1980-1984, plus roles on Mad Men, The Paul Reiser Show, American Dreams, Gilmore Girls, My Big Fat Greek Life, Diagnosis Murder, Kojak and Love of Life.
John joined Jennifer Aniston in 2012 when she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
In 1990, the father-daughter team did an E! News interview together, pre-Friends superstardom, in which John bragged about Jennifer’s natural talent: “There are certain things you can learn in this business, and there are certain things you can’t learn,” he said. “The comic instinct that she has is unerring. That’s her greatest asset.”
The actor is also survived by his second wife, Sherry Rooney, and adult son, Alexander.
