Jennifer Aniston sweetly honored her father, John Aniston, during the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
The former “Friends” star appeared in a pre-recorded segment during the live ceremony, which was held on Friday at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, to present her father with a lifetime achievement award for his decades-long acting career. Aniston called the moment “truly special” as she began her speech dedicated to her 88-year-old father.
“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 recognize the lifelong achievement of a great and well respected actor who also happens to be my dad,” she said. “John Aniston has been working in television consistently for over half a century.”
Aniston listed off just a few of her father’s acting credits, including roles in classic television shows such as “Combat,” “Mission Impossible,” and “Kojak,” as well as guest appearances on “Gilmore Girls,” “Airwolf,” “The West Wing,” “Star Trek: Voyager” and “Mad Men.”
The 53-year-old actor joked that at the same time as his burgeoning television career, her father had appeared in “nearly every soap opera imaginable.” In fact, he’s been such a staple of the daytime shows that he appeared on the first-ever cover of “Soap Opera Digest.” He also had roles on shows like “Search for Tomorrow” and “Love Letters.”
“You name it, I’m sure he’s been on it,” Aniston joked. “But since 1985, his TV home has been with the cast and crew of the long running soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives,’ where he has given masterful performances as the dangerously handsome, perpetually suave businessman Victor Kiriakis,” Aniston continued.
Her father has played Victor Kiriakis for over 37 years.
“For over 30 years, his dedication to that show has gained him respect and admiration of his fellow actors, deep friendships, and thrilled millions of fans around the world,” Aniston continued. “His career is literally the definition of lifetime achievement.” (Today)