Executive Producer Ken Corday: “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. 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.”
Kristian Alfonso (Hope): “Rest in Peace John It was an Honor knowing you & working with you . Thank you for Always being so Kind & for Always making me laugh. XOXO You will be Greatly missed.”
Arianne Zucker (Nicole): “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! I sang him the same tune every single day I saw him! He loved it! Our characters were married for four years and some of my fondest storylines have been with John. I will love him forever and so grateful I was able to know him.”
Wally Kurth (Justin): “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.”
Paul Telfer (Xander): “One of my very fave scenes So lucky to have had the chance to learn from the master Rest In Peace John”
Bryan R. Dattilo (Lucas): “This man taught me so much. The best joke teller in the world. A master Actor. A great man. RIP.”
Mary Beth Evans (Kayla): “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 #❤️ #days”
Judi Evans (Bonnie): “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.’ ”
James Reynolds (Abe): “My dear friend, John Aniston is missed and admired. One of the true professionals @daysofourlives@Days Peacock #DaysofOurLives #Peacock #JohnAniston
Staci Greason (ex-Isabella): “John Aniston was a true gentleman. We hadn’t seen each other in years but I remember him as a good and kind fellow actor. Patient and steady with me as my TV dad on Days of Our Lives. (He was always worried about what I was doing with the money I was making lol. He was right to worry like a dad.) And he was so proud of his real daughter.”
Martha Madison (Belle): “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. #RIP #Days.”
Greg Rikaart (Leo, DAYS; Kevin, Y&R): “I didn’t know John well but I had the great fortune of working with him a bunch of times. I was always in awe of how dry and sharp his delivery was. He could land an insult like no one else. He was such a gifted actor and I send my love and warm wishes to his family and friends.”
Lauren Koslow (Kate): “John, thankU for making me laugh EVERY time I saw you( best joke teller ever) ,for always being playful & terrifically creative in our work, inspirational as a friend-what an extraordinary life you lived .I feel lucky & privileged to have known you -Rest In Peace #JohnAniston”
Bill Hayes (Doug) and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie): “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! ‘Did he really say that!?’ ‘We’re we shocked?’ ‘Did we laugh?’ Oh, yes yes yes. Thank you, John, for decades of drama that were mostly a dream- and days of delight that were as real as could be. Sleep well.
Tamara Braun (Ava): “A great talent and more importantly, a great man has left this earth. John was always so incredibly 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.”
Patrika Darbo (Nancy): “He will be missed. His wit, the man could really tell a joke, his generosity doing scenes with another actor and over all kindness was a gift to us all. Till we met again, keep the angels laughing.”
Kassie DePaiva (ex-Eve): “A truly amazing man. Kind, generous, funny, and talented. I was so blessed to have gotten to work with him. RIP my friend.”
Jen Lilley (ex-Theresa): “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. #RIP”
Sarah Brown (ex-Madison): “John Aniston was one of the kindest, most generous actors I’ve worked with. Such a gentleman. I loved sharing scenes with him & seeing his smiling face on set. He certainly made me feel at home on ‘Days’ from day 1 & I appreciated him. Rest in peace John. Peace and love to his family.”
Genie Francis (ex-Diana; Laura, GH): “I am so happy to have had the chance to work with John Aniston. Such a wonderful man.”
Vincent Irizarry (ex-Deimos): “I awoke this morning to the very sad news that our dear Mr. John Aniston has passed. 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 preforming 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. As any actor will tell you, regardless of how seasoned one might be as a veteran actor, or even how excited one might be to begin work on a new show, one’s first day on the set, performing a new character, can’t help but be coupled with a tad bit of nervousness. It’s only natural, but John immediately made me feel so at ease on the set with his presence as the wonderful actor he was, as well as with his keen sense of humor, something else he was well known for amongst all who knew and loved him. My heart goes out to his many loved ones, those in his family, as well as those from his DOOL family who were greatly blessed to have had his incomparable contribution to their show as the forever memorable “Victor Kiriakis” for all these decades, and to the countless fans who now mourn his passing with us all. John will be greatly missed, without question…RIP dear man 💖💝💖”
Robert Mailhouse (ex-Brian): “This really is sad news. What a great gentleman. We played hours of backgammon together in his dressing room. I loved spending time with him. He truly was a gentle soul.”
Darin Brooks (ex-Max; Wyatt, B&B): “Awww man… RIP John… you were one of the greats!”
Brant Daugherty (ex-Brian): “We had one scene together on Days of our Lives and during rehearsal he blurted out “I want some lasagna” and left the set. A true legend. Rest in peace. Also it was like 9am”
Robin Strasser (ex-Vivian): “#JohnAniston Great & Magnificent has passed away. #DOOL was graced by his strong commitment to the show & his character. Condolences to his family & friends…RIP…”
Trevor Donovan (ex-Jeremy): “Victor Kiriakis was the best, and most likable villain on Days Of Our Lives. RIP John #DOOL“
Patrick Muldoon (ex-Austin): “God Bless you John. Class, Grace, and made me laugh a whole lot when I first got to Salem. You will be missed. @DaysPeacock”
