DAYS OF OUR LIVES Plans a Special Tribute to John Aniston
Following the death of DAYS OF OUR LIVES icon John Aniston on November 11, the soap will honor the legendary actor — who played crime lord Victor Kiriakis for over 30 years — with a special tribute.
According to People, DAYS will include a “poignant farewell” to the beloved actor during Aniston’s final episode, slated to begin streaming on Monday, December 26, on Peacock. “In terms of how we plan to complete Victor’s storyline, that is still being discussed,” a soap spokesperson added.
Aniston passed away late last week at the age of 89, it was announced by his daughter, actress Jennifer Aniston. “You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew,” she wrote on Instagram, sharing pictures of herself and her father through the years. “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 ’til the end of time.”
Ironically, the actor had made an appearance in the episode of DAYS streaming on Peacock that very day, sharing scenes with Paul Telfer (Xander). “He was my mentor on the show in as much as Victor was Xander’s mentor within the narrative,” Telfer told People, adding that he believed he was a better actor for having worked with Aniston. “Mostly because being around him, learning the lessons of brevity and wit and strength, all the things I hope to continue on from his style and bring into mine, ultimately it’s just gratitude in being exposed to such a consummate actor.”
Telfer isn’t the only member of the DAYS family who feels that way about Aniston. In a statement, executive producer Ken Corday shared a similar sentiment. “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,” said Corday. “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. 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. 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.”
Aniston joined the cast of DAYS back in July 1985 and appeared in nearly 3,000 episodes of the soap opera over the years. He received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 2017 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor category, and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences at the 2002 Daytime Emmys.
