Anthony Anastassakis is a celebrity parent commonly known for being the father of American actor John Aniston. Anastassakis’ son was popular for playing Victor Kiriakis on the NBC drama Days of Our Lives from 1985 until he died in 2022. His on-and-off role on the show earned him a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. Did you know Anastassakis is the grandfather of actress Jennifer Aniston? That’s right. Please keep reading to learn more about Anthony Anastassakis and his personal life.
Anthony Anastassakis Bio
Anthony Aniston Anastassakis was born on 17 January 1889 in Canera Crete, Greece. In 1924, he married Stella Koume Anastassakis (1889-1992), and they welcomed four children. When their son, John, was two years old, Anastassakis’ family left Greece for the United States. He settled them in Chester, Pennsylvania, where he operated a restaurant.
Anastassakis gained fame following his son’s success in the entertainment industry. Hence not much is known about his personal life. He died in May 1965, aged 79.
Anthony Anastassakis Children
Anthony Anastassakis was the proud father of four: two sons and two daughters. His first child was Gustau Aniston, who was born in 1926. Unfortunately, Gustau died a decade later, in 1837, aged 11. Anastassakis’ second son was John Aniston born in 1933. John would grow up to become an actor and propel his family to fame.
Anastassakis’ second child and first daughter are Helen Aniston, born in 1925 and aged 97 in 2022. Mary Aniston was the second daughter and third-born child of Anastassakis and Stella. She was born in 1929 and is aged 93 as of 2022. The two sisters live quiet lives away from their brother’s spotlight, and little is known about their personal lives.
John Aniston Biography
John Anthony Aniston was born Yannis Anastassakis on 24 July 1933 in Chania, Greece. His family moved to the U.S.A. when he was two years old. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in theater arts. He served in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence officer in Panama and later in the Reserve and attained the lieutenant commander rank.
He began acting in 1962 as Officer #1 in an episode of 87th Precinct. Aniston joined Days of Our Lives as Eric Richards in the early ‘70s. He also appeared as Eddie Aleata on Love of Life from 1975 to 1978 and Martin Tourneur on Search for Tomorrow from 1980 to April 1984. Aniston returned to the cast of Days of Our Lives as Victor Kiriakis in July 1985, a role he played until his death.
Aniston also made guest appearances on Combat! (1964), Star Trek: Voyager (2001), My Big Fat Greek Life (2002), American Dreams, Mad Men, and Journeyman.
John Aniston was married twice: first to actress Nancy Dow with whom she fathered daughter, Jennifer Aniston. His second wife was Sherry Rooney, with whom he had a son named Alexander. Aniston’s daughter is one of the world’s highest-paid actresses and has received numerous accolades.
Aniston died aged 89 on 11 November 2022.
Wrapping Up
Although his family had no acting background, Anastassakis’ son and granddaughter have had successful careers in acting.
