Jennifer Aniston Reacts To Her Father John’s Death At 89

Jennifer Aniston is mourning the loss of her father. On Nov. 14, the Friends alum announced that her father, Days of Our Lives star John Aniston, died three days prior, on Nov. 11. He was 89. Aniston reacted to his passing in an Instagram post, calling him “one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew.”

“Sweet papa…⁣ John Anthony Aniston,” she wrote, captioning a slideshow of vintage father-daughter photos and more recent snapshots throughout their careers. “⁣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 till the end of time.” Aniston concluded her post by reminding her father, “Don’t forget to visit.”

John’s last onscreen appearance to date was an episode of Days of Our Lives that aired on Nov. 11, the day of his death. While he was best known for portraying Victor Kiriakis on Days beginning in 1985, his acting credits also include The West Wing, Gilmore Girls, Mad Men, and Search for Tomorrow.

In June 2022, John was awarded with a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award, which his daughter presented and accepted on his behalf. “It’s an opportunity to not only pay tribute to a true icon in the daytime television world, but it’s also a chance to recognize the lifelong achievement of a great and well-respected actor who also happens to be my dad,” she said. Aniston went on to joke that John has been on “every show imaginable” and paid tribute to his legacy on Days. “For over 30 years, his dedication to that show has gained him respect and admiration of his fellow actors, deep friendships, and thrilled millions of fans around the world. His career is literally the definition of lifetime achievement.”

John has been similarly supportive of his daughter’s acting career. In a 1990 interview with E!, he sang Aniston’s praises before she was even cast on her breakout show. “Jennifer is a natural talent,” he said. “There are certain things you can learn in this business, and there are certain things you can’t learn. The comic instinct that she has is unerring. That’s her greatest asset.”

Along with his daughter, John is also survived by his son, Alex “AJ” Aniston. John’s first wife and Aniston’s mother, Nancy Dow, died in 2016.