Members of the daytime community have taken to social media to remember and post tributes of love for the man who has undoubtably left an unforgettable and irreplaceable mark not just on Days of our Lives, but also on the soap world. John Aniston is being remembered for his talent, sense of humor, and love that he shared with his DAYS family and the entire daytime community for four decades. Aniston passed away on November 11, 2022. To read more about his life, please continue reading here.
In a statement, DAYS' executive producer Ken Corday said, "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.”
Bill and Susan Hayes (Doug and Julie Williams, Days of our Lives) shared photos and expressed their appreciation of Victor's trademark quick wit. "Did he really say that!?" "[Were] we shocked?" "Did we laugh?" Oh, yes yes yes." They also thanked him for "decades of drama that were mostly a dream -- and days of delight that were as real as could be. Sleep well."
Freddie Smith, who portrayed Victor's grandson Sonny Kiriakis, posted a GIF of Sonny hugging Victor and saying "Goodbye, Uncle Vic." In response Victor said, "Ah, for Pete's sake, it's not going to be forever."
There was no love lost between Eve Donovan and Victor, but off-screen, there was plenty of love between John Aniston and Kassie DePaiva. In an Instagram post, she expressed that she was "so blessed to have gotten to work with him."
A truly amazing man. Kind, generous, funny, and talented. I was so blessed to have gotten to work with him. RIP my friend. https://t.co/YK1CBkp4wK
- Kassie DePaiva (@KassieDePaiva) November 14, 2022
Martha Madison (Belle Black) spoke of Aniston's humor when it came to sharing scenes with him and called him "an inspiration to all of us."
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 🙏🏼 https://t.co/TBbwLVISbn
- Martha Madison (@Marth27) November 14, 2022
Kristian Alfonso, who will be returning to her role as Hope Brady, expressed how honored she was to work with him.
Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Brady, Days of our Lives) shared a photo of her with Aniston on Instagram and said "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."
Bryan Dattillo (Lucas Horton) honored Aniston in an Instagram post with the caption, "This man taught me so much. The best joke teller in the world. A master Actor. A great man. RIP."
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On Instagram, Jen Lilley shared a touching scene between her character, Theresa Donovan, and Victor. In her caption, she wrote, "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"
Arianne Zucker (Nicole Walker) shared in her Instagram post that Aniston "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!"
Wally Kurth, who plays Victor's nephew Justin Kiriakis, expressed loving sentiments for his mentor, acting partner, and father figure who he "tried to make proud."
James Reynolds (Abe Carver) also honored his "dear friend" in a Twitter post and called him "one of the true professionals."
My dear friend, John Aniston is missed
- James Reynolds (@JreynoldsJames) November 14, 2022
and admired. One of the true professionals. @daysofourlives @Days Peacock #DaysofOurLives #Peacock #JohnAniston pic.twitter.com/7nTLJE4rUn
Eric Martsolf, who portrays Victor's grandson Brady Black, shared a clip from an interview he did for Entertainment Tonight in 2021, prior to Aniston receiving his Daytime Emmys Lifetime Achievement award. In the video, Martsolf talked about his greatest lesson in gratitude that he learned from the DAYS vet.
Vincent Irizarry expressed how grateful he was for the opportunity to work with Aniston. "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."
On Twitter, Paul Telfer, who plays Victor's troubled nephew Xander Cook, shared one of his favorite scenes and expressed that he was "So lucky to have had the chance to learn from the master."
One of my very fave scenes
- Paul Telfer (@PaulTelfer) November 14, 2022
So lucky to have had the chance to learn from the master
Rest In Peace John 🖤 https://t.co/OYFF1MkfEA
The Young and the Restless' Kate Linder (Ester Valentine) also took to social media to express her condolences for Aniston.
Sarah Joy Brown spoke on Twitter about how Aniston made her feel at home on DAYS when she spent a year on the soap as Madison James. She also mentions that he was "one of the kindest, most generous actors" that she's worked with.
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 ❤️🕊️ https://t.co/5Bw4NN7OAR
- Sarah Joy Brown (@sarahjoybrown) November 14, 2022
Melissa Reeves (ex-Jennifer Horton shared that she "always looked forward to when we would work together and when we would both get the same grin on our faces as we forgot our dialogue."
Tamara Braun (Ava Vitali) and Patrika Darbo (Nancy Wesley) celebrate Aniston's humor and spirit. "I was always uplifted when I was in his presence," Braun recalled. Darbo, meanwhile, said she'd miss his "his talent... generosity... and kindness."
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.”
Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) said she was "privileged to have known" Aniston and praised the "extraordinary life" he lived.
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 pic.twitter.com/4rLSS8Bov9
— Lauren Koslow (@laurenkoslow) November 14, 2022
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.”
Showing that people can touch the lives of those they may have only casually met, Brant Dougherty (ex-Brian) recalled rehearsing for a single scene he shared with Aniston -- a rehearsal that had an unexpectedly saucy twist.
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. https://t.co/eCQy5p2Ljm
— Brant Daugherty (@brantdaugherty) November 14, 2022
So honored to have worked with him. He was always so kind and funny. Condolences to his family and all he touched. #RIPJohnAniston https://t.co/wOMd1IggrM
— Tina Huang (@TinaHuang) November 14, 2022
Do you have favorite memories of Aniston's time on Days of our Lives? What will you miss most about him? We want to hear from you -- and there are many ways you can share your thoughts.
