In November 2022, John Aniston died at the age of 89. The longtime soap opera actor played Victor Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives from 1985 until his death, but he was also famous for being the father of sitcom star Jennifer Aniston. Though the show has continued airing new episodes in the months since John passed, his absence has not yet been addressed. A new report claims that Victor is finally going to be killed off in the coming month or two, and that Jennifer is not happy with the soap opera’s plan for his final goodbye. Read on to find out why the planned storyline reportedly “rubbed her the wrong way.”
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When John passed away in November 2022, Jennifer was the one to share the news publicly. Alongside photos of herself with her father, the Friends star wrote, “Sweet papa… John Anthony Aniston You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew. 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 💔.”
John’s last episode of Days of Our Lives aired on Dec. 26, 2022. As reported by Entertainment Weekly, the episode was Christmas-themed and featured Victor’s mob boss character getting into a disagreement with his nephew, Sonny (Zach Tinker), over an uninvited holiday guest. The episode ended with a montage of John’s scenes in memory of the late actor.
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John’s final episode did not feature his character’s death or any explanation of his future absence. Nor has Days of Our Lives answered those questions in the months since. Now, according to a new report, the show is finalizing plans to kill off Victor. The Daily Mail reports that Victor will die off-screen in a plane crash and that the episode will air in either August or September.
A source claims to the Daily Mail that his daughter is not happy about the choice, because she has a fear of flying herself.
“Jennifer hates to fly so this has rubbed her the wrong way but what can she do? They have to explain Victor’s death on the show,” a source claimed. “The funeral show is expected to air sometime late August, early September.”
Jennifer has not spoken out about the reported Days of Our Lives plan herself, but she has talked about her fear of flying on planes before. During a 2019 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, she told a story about being on a plane headed to Mexico that had to turn around because of an issue with the landing gear.
“On the takeoff, on the taxi, we heard an explosion, which sounded like a pothole if it was a car big enough to go over the Grand Canyon. It was that loud … I have a real fear of flying, obviously, nobody else does,” Aniston shared of the group she was with.
Previously, during a 2013 interview on the British show Lorraine (via the Irish Examiner), Jennifer was asked about what scares her most. “Flying. You can’t get a big enough drink and it doesn’t help,” she replied. “I’ve actually gotten much better…”
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The Daily Mail also reported on Jennifer’s relationships with her father’s friends and co-workers following his death.
“Jennifer has sent his friends gifts and called them and remember their birthdays and been a real sweetie,” a source told the publication. “She has been incredibly generous and has had his friends up to her house for parties to talk about the good old days with John.”
The report also claims that the 54-year-old star has been receiving support from her ex-husband, Justin Theroux. Sources said that the Leftovers actor has been calling his ex regularly to check in. Both Theroux and Aniston have been open about maintaining their friendship following their divorce.