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DAYS Star Share Reactions and Remembrances on the Death of John Aniston

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: NBC, Instagram

The soap world lost an iconic member of its family, when news broke that Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and longtime Days of our Lives star, John Aniston (Victor Kiriakis), died this past Friday at the age of 89.

Since many have learned of his passing, DAYS cast members past and present, colleagues, and friends have taken to social media with an outpouring of love, admiration and respect for this daytime veteran, with whom many had the opportunity to work with during their career.

Below is just a sampling of touching posts.   Michael Fairman TV will continue to update this story as more reactions and remembrances for John are shared.

Lauren Koslow: “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”

Arianne Zucker:  “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: “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. ❤️🙏”

Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes:  “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 ❤️ ”

Melissa Reeves: “One of our cheeky moments❤️ #3. Thank you, John, for jokes of the day, teaching me at a young age how to plan for the future, and always stopping to say hi to my father-in-law at Starbucks. 🙏🏻 #1 I 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 😂 #1😂 #2😂 #3. You are one of a kind and your life touched and blessed so many. 🙏🏻 #2❤️ #4 Your presence will be greatly missed. Xoxo”

Photo: MReevesIG

Staci Greason:  “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.  Peace and love to his family.🙏🏻”

Stephen Nichols: “We’ve lost a dear man. John Aniston was as kind-hearted and humble as he was gifted. John was a consummate actor; so relaxed, focused, and committed. His power was in his easygoing attitude. You never saw the work, even in the days of cue cards — for which John was the master! In 1985, Days of Our Lives was one of my first regular gigs and John was the first person I worked with on a regular basis. Victor’s hired thug, Patch, had an adversarial relationship with his boss and the two had a lot of fun getting under each other’s skin. We never talked about the work however, I absorbed lessons from the master in the doing.  John always greeted me with a handshake and a smile and often with a joke. Man, could he tell a story. John had impeccable timing — he could land a punchline on or off stage, with such panache. In recent years we had discussions about the challenges of raising children and each of us being blessed with a first grandchild, at around the same time, we compared notes on the joys of being grandparents for the very first time. In all the years we shared a stage, I never heard John complain about anything work-related. Even in later years when he wasn’t feeling the best, he never complained. It was easy to see how he loved being there with his Days family. I know how sorely he will be missed by all. Rest, dear sweet, John. You made an indelible mark on this world. I’m really going to miss you, my friend. Much love to John’s family and to all who loved him.”

Paul Telfer: “So lucky to have had the chance to learn from the master Rest In Peace John”

Robin Strasser: #JohnAniston Great & Magnificent has passed away. #DOOL was graced by his strong commitment to the show & his character. Condolences to his family & friends…RIP…

What do you think of the sentiments shared by John’s friend and colleagues on his passing? Comment below.

 

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A post shared by Wally Kurth (@wallykurth)

 

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A post shared by Bill & Susan Hayes (@billsusanhayes)

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Sad to hear. Thoughts and prayers with his family and his daughter Jennifer. I remember him way back when he was on Search for Tomorrow before he was on Days of our lives. One of my favorite actors

Why hasnt everyone responded to johns passing on dool

If you mean on the show … John Aniston JUST died. Days of Our Lives tapes episodes approximately 3 or more months in advance. The soonest that they can write this into the show will be about March or April.

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53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

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Daytime Emmy Presenters

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Genie Francis

Photo: NATAS

In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year,  A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.

The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).

The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”

Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.

So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

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Kyle Pryor

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!

Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.

He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Dominix

Photo: Peacock

Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2.  In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.

Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.

So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)

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Conner Floyd

Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.

Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?

Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.

EJ and Chad

Photo: JPI

DIMERA RIVALRY

After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”

As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”

Belle and Chad

Photo: JPI

BELLE OF MY HEART

With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”

Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.

“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart.  I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”

But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”

MAKING CHAD HIS OWN

Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”

Susan Seaforth Hayes

Photo: JPI

ICONIC

When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.

“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know?  We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.

“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”

Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.

Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.

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