Days of Our Lives Star John Aniston Celebrates His Birthday

Victor may be nursing a headache with so many nuisances living under his majestic roof but actor John Aniston certainly has a reason to celebrate.

That’s because he was born on July 24, 1933, in Crete, Greece, meaning that the actor is turning 86 years old today! It was most certainly fate that brought Aniston to Days of Our Lives.

In fact, he was up for the part of Doug Williams way back in 1969 before Bill Hayed scored the roll. Heck, Aniston even had a recurring role on the soap in the early 1970s as Dr. Eric Richards.

Aniston’s first acting job was playing Officer number 2 on the NBC crime procedural 87th Precinct. He had a steady stream of guest appearances on popular nighttime shows throughout the 1960s including The Virginian, Mission: Impossible, I Spy, and Combat!

In 1974, Aniston was in two episodes of the crime drama Kojak which starred his very good friend Telly Savalas. Savalas was later named godfather to Aniston’s daughter Jennifer (yes THAT Jennifer Aniston).

In 1975, Aniston joined the cast of Love of Life as Eddie Aleata, the ex-husband of the serial’s main schemer Megan (Meg) Dale. That same year Aniston joined his co-stars on the very first Soap Opera Digest cover.

Aniston stayed at Love of Life until 1978 when he left to join another soap opera. On Search for Tomorrow, he played ne’er-do-well Martin Tourner who managed to finagle a marriage with that show’s main character Joanne Gardner. Aniston stayed with the show until 1984.

One year later, Aniston made his second Days of Our Lives debut this time as the villainous Victor Kiriakis. Initially, an unrepentant baddie Victor’s character was explored in a beloved tale that revealed him to be the biological father of fan-favorite Bo Brady.

Soap Hub would like to wish John Aniston a very happy birthday and many more. Days of Our Lives airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes.