Jennifer Aniston took to her Instagram account on Monday to announce the death of her father, John Aniston.
For nearly 30 years, the Greek-born, Emmy-nominated actor, who also starred in the daytime dramas “Love of Life” and “Search for Tomorrow,” was a mainstay on the NBC soap opera.
Aniston’s work on “Days of Our Lives” garnered him two Soap Opera Digest Awards in 1986 for outstanding actor in a leading role and outstanding villain on a daytime serial. In 2022, the character earned him a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award.
He was also the father of Jennifer Aniston, who posted “Sweet papa… John Anthony Aniston” on Instagram on Monday morning. One of the most amazing people I’ve ever known was you. I’m glad you ascended into the sky painlessly and peacefully. and no less on 11/11! Your timing was always impeccable. That number now holds a deeper meaning for me in the future.
Aniston’s other credits include My Big Fat Greek Life, American Dreams, Journeyman, Cold Case, Kojak, Star Trek: Voyager, Gilmore Girls, The West Wing, Mad Men, Combat!, The Virginian, That Girl, I Spy, Airwolf, My Big Fat Greek Life, Combat!, and The Virginian.
Aniston was raised in Pennsylvania after leaving his birthplace on the Greek island of Crete with his family. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in theater arts from Pennsylvania State University before enlisting in the American military. An intelligence officer in the Navy.
In the 1962 episode of “87th Precinct,” titled “New Man in the Precinct,” Aniston played “Officer #1.” By the 1980s, Aniston had established herself as a mainstay of soap operas.
He made his debut as Dr. Eric Richards on “Days of Our Lives” in 1969 but left the show after only one season to work on “Love of Life” and “Search for Tomorrow” at CBS and NBC. Aniston returned to “Days” in 1985, playing the now-famous crime boss Victor Kiriakis.
When he was a young child, John Aniston moved to Pennsylvania with his family after being born Yannis Anastassakis in Crete, Greece.
He majored in theatre at Pennsylvania State University, and in the 1960s, he made his acting debut in “Combat!,” “I Spy,” “The Virginian,” and others.
Aniston was previously married to Sherry Rooney and has two children. In addition to Jennifer and Alexander Aniston, who were his two children, he also had John Melick as a stepson.
Jennifer Aniston remarked at the time, “It’s an opportunity to not only pay tribute to a true icon in the daytime television industry, but it’s also a chance to acknowledge the lifetime accomplishments of a wonderful and well-respected actor, who also happens to be my dad.”
“John Aniston has been steadily employed in the television industry for more than 50 years.”
Jennifer’s “The Morning Show” co-star Reese Witherspoon, Lisa Kudrow from “Friends,” Aniston’s ex-husband, and actor Justin Theroux were among those who offered their support.
With the posting of an old episode clip, “Days of our Lives” paid a moving homage to John Aniston, referring to him as a “valued family member.”
