Credit: Lisa Rose/JPI, Jill Johnson/JPI, Howard Wise/JPI
Wally Kurth (Justin)
Image Credit: ABC
“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.”
Kristian Alfonso (Hope)
Image Credit: NBC
“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.”
“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!” Read their full statement here.
James Reynolds (Abe)
Image Credit: Chris Haston/NBC
“My dear friend, John Aniston, is missed and admired. One of the true professionals.”
Stephen Nichols (Steve)
Image Credit: JC Olivera/Getty Images
“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!” Read his entire statement here.
Arianne Zucker (Nicole)
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
“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!” Read her full statement here.
Genie Francis (ex-Diana)
Image Credit: ABC
“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 General Hospital. “Such a wonderful man.”
Drake Hogestyn (John)
Image Credit: Peacock
“Love you, buddy… Godspeed.”
Lauren Koslow (Kate)
Image Credit: Chris Haston/NBC
“John, thank you for making me laugh every 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.”
Mary Beth Evans (Kayla)
Image Credit: John Paschal/JPI
“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 Days Of Lives 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.”
Paul Telfer (Xander)
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
“So lucky to have had the chance to learn from the master. Rest in peace, John.”
Judi Evans (Bonnie)
Image Credit: Howard Wise/JPI
“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.'”
Zach Tinker (Sonny)
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
“Rest in peace, John. It was an honor to work beside you and be your nephew. Kiriakis forever.”
Tamara Braun (Ava)
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
“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.”
Robert Scott Wilson (Alex)
Image Credit: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Days Of Our Lives
“Forever grateful and honored. Forever a legend.”
Stacy Haiduk (Susan/Kristen)
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
“It was such a pleasure getting to work with John Aniston! He will be missed! May he rest in peace!”
Eric Martsolf (Brady)
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
“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.”
Martha Madison (Belle)
Image Credit: John Paschal/JPI
“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.”
Bryan Dattilo (ex-Lucas)
Image Credit: John Paschal/JPI
“This man taught me so much. The best joke teller in the world. A master actor. A great man. RIP.”
Charles Shaughnessy (ex-Shane)
Image Credit: ABC
“Rest in peace, my favorite ‘frenemy,'” shares the actor, who has since joined General Hospital as a different 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.”
Jen Lilley (ex-Theresa)
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
“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 Days. I adore you, sir.”
Vincent Irizarry (ex-Deimos)
Image Credit: Howard Wise/JPI
“I’m so grateful to have had the privilege and opportunity to have played opposite this legend on Days of Our Lives 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.” Read the full message here.
Shawn Christian (ex-Daniel)
Image Credit: Howard Wise/JPI
“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.”
“He played my father on Days of Our Lives. He was very kind. I’m so sorry, Jennifer.”
Freddie Smith (ex-Sonny)
Image Credit: John Paschal/JPI
“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!!”
Finola Hughes (Anna, General Hospital)
Image Credit: ABC
“[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.”
Patrick Muldoon (ex-Austin)
Image Credit: Howard Wise/JPI
“God bless you, John. Class, grace, and made me laugh a whole lot when I first got to Salem. You will be missed.”
Sarah Joy Brown (ex-Madison)
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
“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 Days from day 1 and I appreciated him. Rest in peace, John.”
Kyle Brandt (ex-Philip)
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
“John Aniston was my TV dad for over 3 years. I was nervous. He was kind. And so, so funny. He is missed.”
Kate Linder (Esther, Young & Restless)
Image Credit: John Paschal/JPI
“My heart goes out to John Aniston’s family and friends. I had the honor of working with him. [He was] talented, kind, giving and caring. He will be sorely missed.”