Daytime’s Stars Say Goodbye to Days of Our Lives’ John Aniston and Pay Tribute to the ‘Gentle Giant’ After His Passing
Friday, November 18th, 2022
To know him was to love him.
Since learning of John Aniston’s passing at the age of 89 on Friday, November 11, tributes to the late Days of Our Lives actor have been pouring in from fans, family and daytime friends alike. Friend, jokester, mentor, father figure — how Victor Kirakis’ legendary portrayer was viewed is as varied as those remembering him. But one thing is universal across all the tributes, and it’s that everyone who knew him, loved him.
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That’s something that seeped into his very performance, no matter how much of a manipulative curmudgeon Victor would be. Even at his worst, it was hard to hate the Kiriakis patriarch — and that, we’re certain, was in no small part thanks to Aniston’s warmth and charm. Heck, if he’d been played by anyone else, could you imagine a mobster like Victor winning over the heart of someone as sweet and loving as Maggie?
We’ve said goodbye to too many wonderful actors over the years.
Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
It may be bittersweet comfort, but while we have to say goodbye to Aniston, we still have one more chance to say goodbye to Victor himself. He has one final episode, our sister site TVLine reports, the day after Christmas on December 26. We suppose we can’t really think of a better time to let him go.
While we wait for that final farewell, take a look at our gallery of all the actors across daytime who have shared their own tributes to Aniston. Wally Kurth, unsurprisingly, looked at the man who played his uncle and ultimately paved the way for Justin’s creation as “a father figure who I tried to make proud.” And as Eric Martsolf (Brady) said simply, yet beautifully of his TV grandfather, “I will miss this gentle giant so much.”
Flip through all the touching, heartfelt messages to the beloved actor in the photo gallery below.
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Image: ABC
1/30
<p>“John, you were my mentor and acting partner. You taught me without having to say a word. You were a father figure who I tried to make proud. John, I feel so grateful and honored to have known you, laughed with you and called you my friend. RIP.”</p>
Image: NBC
2/30
<p>“Rest in peace, John. It was an honor knowing you and working with you. Thank you, for always being so kind and for always making me laugh. You will be greatly missed.”</p>
Image: © XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
3/30
<p>“A tall tree has fallen in the forest of imagination, where we wander in memory for the pleasure of recalling moments and people we love. For the cast crew and numberless fans of John Aniston, sometimes Victor Kiriakis, he will always be there, with a hero’s handsome good looks and a villain’s scathing wit!” <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck8qSLjJAmP/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=dbb450d5-f529-4e89-b0f1-df07a9323605" target="_blank">Read their full statement here.</a></p>
Image: Chris Haston/NBC
4/30
<p>“My dear friend, John Aniston, is missed and admired. One of the true professionals.”</p>
Image: JC Olivera/Getty Images
5/30
<p>“We’ve lost a dear man. John Aniston was as kindhearted and humble as he was gifted. John was a consummate actor; so relaxed, focused and committed. His power was in his easy-going attitude. You never saw the work, even in the days of cue cards — for which John was the master!” <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck-Hc88uxDd/" target="_blank">Read his entire statement here.</a> </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
6/30
<p>“My heart is so full when I think of this wonderful man, John Aniston! I have nothing but incredible memories of a man who was so professional at his job and always walked in with the best jokes. No one could tell a joke like John! He taught me how to be a better actress. When I would get a note from a director that I didn’t understand at the time, John would say ‘Just act faster.’ Ha! It actually works!” <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck8tvkfJ4MS/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=fee3481e-bfd2-49af-a349-4a79cfd98b08" target="_blank">Read her full statement here.</a></p>
Image: ABC
7/30
<p>“I am so happy to have had the chance to work with John Aniston,” says the Emmy winner, who has long since returned to her original soap role as Laura on <em>General Hospital</em>. “Such a wonderful man.”</p>
Image: Peacock
8/30
<p>“Love you, buddy… Godspeed.”</p>
Image: Chris Haston/NBC
9/30
<p>“John, thank you for making me laugh <em>every</em> time I saw you (best joke teller ever), for always being playful and terrifically creative in our work and inspirational as a friend. What an extraordinary life you lived. I feel lucky and privileged to have known you. Rest in peace.”</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
10/30
<p>“What a force this lovely man was. And the nicest, sweetest guy around. He was the master of this daytime art form, and all of us at <em>Days Of Lives</em> can’t imagine Salem without him. I know we will think and talk of John often in the days and months to come and Victor Kiriakis will live on forever in our fictional little town. We love you, John, rest in peace.”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
11/30
<p>“So lucky to have had the chance to learn from the master. Rest in peace, John.”</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
12/30
<p>“To know John was to love John. I feel incredibly lucky to have been working with this kind, funny, generous man for all these years. Always with a new joke, a sweet word of encouragement, or a much needed bear hug. John was a consummate professional and forever a classy guy. I will miss him terribly, but will always hold him close to my heart. Rest well, John. Thank you, for everything. And we’ll always ‘see you back in Salem.'”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
13/30
<p>“Rest in peace, John. It was an honor to work beside you and be your nephew. Kiriakis forever.”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
14/30
<p>“A great talent, and more importantly, a great man, has left this earth. John was always so incredbly kind. And funny. I was always uplifted when I was in his presence. There is going to be so much more laughter in the afterlife now. RIP, John.”</p>
Image: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Days Of Our Lives
15/30
<p>“Forever grateful and honored. Forever a legend.”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
16/30
<p>“It was such a pleasure getting to work with John Aniston! He will be missed! May he rest in peace!”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
17/30
<p>“I will miss this gentle giant so much. He reminded me that ‘work’ can be ‘play;’ and we are so damn lucky to do what we do. Thank you. Grandpa Vic for allowing me to play with you over the years.”</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
18/30
<p>“John was funny and sharp and an inspiration to all of us. You always knew you were going to laugh a lot when you had scenes with him. Sending my love to his fans, friends and family.”</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
19/30
<p>“This man taught me so much. The best joke teller in the world. A master actor. A great man. RIP.”</p>
Image: ABC
20/30
<p>“Rest in peace, my favorite ‘frenemy,'” shares the actor, who has since joined <em>General Hospital</em> as a <em>different</em> Victor. “We had so many fun times, and laughs, whilst eagerly plotting each other’s downfall. You are loved and already missed by all of us.”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
21/30
<p>“I am so saddened by the loss of John Aniston. A veteran and consummate professional. He was such a delight to work with and gave me wonderful parting advice when I left <em>Days</em>. I adore you, sir.”</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
22/30
<p>“I’m so grateful to have had the privilege and opportunity to have played opposite this legend on <em>Days of Our Lives</em> for a couple years in the role of Deimos Kiriakis, his/Victor’s bastard brother, and even more so to have begun my stint on the show performing my very first scenes in Salem alongside him. John couldn’t have been more gracious nor more giving towards me as the newbie on the show.” <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck9P_7tyHnD/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=6602e289-51cf-4c60-9fdd-f542128b0a1f" target="_blank">Read the full message here.</a></p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
23/30
<p>“Thank you for sharing your quick wit and wordly wisdom with me, John. Your humor and heart will always live on in those who were touched by your presence.”</p>
Image: © Paul Skipper/jpistudios.com
24/30
<p>“He played my father on Days of Our Lives. He was very kind. I’m so sorry, Jennifer.”</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
25/30
<p>“Rest in peace, John. It was a pleasure working you. You were always so kind and made everyone around you laugh. You will be missed!!”</p>
Image: ABC
26/30
<p>“[John Aniston was] a legend. Always had a kind, encouraging word or something funny to say if you ran into him at an awards show. What a huge career.”</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
27/30
<p>“God bless you, John. Class, grace, and made me laugh a whole lot when I first got to Salem. You will be missed.”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
28/30
<p>“John Aniston was one of the kindest, most generous actors I’ve worked with. Such a gentleman. I loved sharing scenes with him and seeing his smiling face on set. He certainly made me feel at home on <em>Days</em> from day 1 and I appreciated him. Rest in peace, John.”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
29/30
