Star of Days of Our Lives John Aniston dies at 89, daughter Jennifer Aniston pays tribute to her father's legacy

 John Aniston, star of the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives and father of Jennifer Aniston, has died at age 89.

The Friends star posted a tribute to her father on Monday on Instagram, announcing that he had died on Friday, Veteran’s Day.

“You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew," she wrote.

Photos of them together were shared with her 40 million followers.

Her tribute drew comments from many famous friends, including Friends co-star Lisa Kudrow, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot, her ex-husband Justin Theroux, and more. 

The official Days of Our Lives account also posted a tribute to the talented member of their television family.

From theatre kid to intelligence officer to Emmy winner

Born Yannis Anastassakis in Crete, Greece, John Aniston emigrated with his family to Pennsylvania when he was a child.

Graduating from Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts, Aniston went on to serve in the US Navy as an intelligence officer.

His acting career kicked off in the 1960s, with early roles in Combat!, I Spy and The Virginian.

His acting credits included Search for Tomorrow, The West Wing and Gilmore Girls.

But he was best-known for his long-running role on Days of Our Lives as family patriarch Victor Kiriakis, the former drug lord who goes on to found the powerful Titan Industries.

His work on the famous soap opera earned him an Emmy nomination for best supporting actor in a drama series in 2017.

Earlier this year, he was presented a lifetime achievement Emmy, with Jennifer Aniston honouring him via video.

“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 recognise the lifelong achievements of a great and well-respected actor, who also happens to be my dad,” Jennifer Aniston said at the time.