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Victor Kiriakis
Days-victor-JJ
Days of Our Lives
Portrayed by John Aniston (1985–2022)
Christos Vasilopoulos (2016; flashbacks as Younger Victor)
Current status Former; Recurring
Duration 1985–97, 1999–2022
First appearance July 19, 1985
Last appearance December 26, 2022
Cause/reason Died
Created by Sheri Anderson, Thom Racina and Leah Laiman
Introduced by Betty Corday, Ken Corday and Al Rabin
Profile
Gender Male
Born May 18, 1935
Died August 2023
Age 86
Cause of death Died in a plane crash
Occupation Crime boss
Businessman
Drug lord
Residence Kiriakis Mansion 13201 Glen Oaks Drive Salem, Illinois
Relationships
Family Kiriakis family
Parents Yurgos Kiriakis
Sophie Kiriakis
Siblings Alexander Kiriakis (full) †
Titus Kiriakis (full) †
Deimos Kiriakis † (paternal half)
Spouses Carly Manning (1991–92)
Kate Roberts (1993–94)
Vivian Alamain (1995–97, 2010–11)
Nicole Walker (2002–08)
Maggie Horton (2011–23; dissolved by his death)
Romances Caroline Brady (soulmate)
Helena Tasso
Loretta Toscano †
Kimberly Brady
Yvette DuPres
Anjelica Deveraux
Julie Olson Williams
Children Bo Brady
Philip Kiriakis
Isabella Toscano
Xander Kiriakis
Summer Townsend † (step)
Daniel Jonas † (step)
Melissa Horton (step)
Sarah Horton (step)
Janice Barnes † (step)
Grandchildren Shawn Douglas Brady
Brady Black
Zack Brady
Tyler Kiriakis
Chelsea Brady
Ciara Brady
Victoria Horton-Kiriakis
Melanie Jonas
(step)
Holly Jonas
(step)
Mackenzie Horton
(step)
Great-grandchildren Claire Brady
Tate Black
Rachel Black
Grandparents Demetrius Kiriakis †
Antonia Kiriakis †
Aunts and uncles Aristotle Kiriakis
Athena Kiriakis
Nieces and nephews Justin Kiriakis
Xander Kiriakis
Godchildren Daniel Jonas

Victor Yurgos Kiriakis is a character from the soap opera, Days of Our Lives, portrayed by John Aniston since 1985. His time on the show has been since 1985 with a brief story line driven absence in 2004 when his character was "killed off" but found alive on the island of Melaswen. Originally on contract, Aniston was dropped to recurring in 1997, and has stayed recurring since then, despite his steady presence on the show.

Initially brought on as a villainous crime lord, Victor has mellowed out in recent years to the point where fans accepted his relationship with fan favorite Maggie Horton after the death of her previous husband Mickey Horton, who was also a fan favorite. Victor's scenes have become fan favorites of late due to his biting sarcasm and witty one-liners, and his general desire to see family and friends safe and happy as he rounds out his twilight years.

On November 11, 2022, John Aniston passed away. Peacock has confirmed his last onscreen airdate as Victor is December 26, 2022. His final episode was followed by a beautiful tribute showing John's time on the show as Victor, and all of his notable connections with his family, friends, loves, and enemies.

Caroline Brady was and always will be the love of his life.

Storylines

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Victor with the love of his life, Caroline Brady

Victor was born in Nafplion, Greece, and emigrated to the United States with his family as a child. He grew up and spent most of his childhood in rather modest circumstances in Salem, Illinois, but then returned to Greece with his family as a young man, where he apparently made his fortune on both legitimate and illegitimate fronts. Victor came to Salem in 1985 as an old friend of the Brady clan. As time went on, it was revealed that he was not only a former paramour of Brady matriarch Caroline, and the biological father of Bo Brady, but that he was involved in various underhanded dealings around town.

Initially a quiet sponsor of a local drugs-and-prostitution ring, it was eventually fleshed out that Victor was a full-fledged mobster, with Mafia connections in Greece and Italy as well as throughout the US, partnerships and rivalries with other villains (including the nefarious Stefano DiMera), and was the subject of various investigations by the local police and a fictional crime-fighting spy agency called the International Security Alliance (ISA). Victor's organization engaged in many schemes and plots all over the world during the late 80s and early 90s, including selling military secrets to the Soviets, hiding stolen Treasury bonds in Stockholm, Sweden, and stealing a computer disk from the U.S. government that turned out to be made of an indestructible material with various potential military applications. It was during this heyday that even the music played at the beginning of Victor's scenes resembled the main theme of The Godfather.

Notably, Victor was the man most responsible for bringing the amnesiac John Black to Salem in 1986, having "outbid" corrupt ISA chief George Nickerson for Black, who was "offered up" by the DiMera organization under the guise of possibly being the believed-dead Roman Brady. Victor also was part of the game called "The Purse, The Power, and The Pawn" in which he, Nickerson and Ilya Petrov; who had taken over the presumed dead Stefano DiMera's criminal enterprise, fought to get money and ultimately the biggest prize of them all; the Pawn, aka John Black. Victor had Petrov killed in 1986 outside a cabin. But, in 2016 it came to light that somehow Petrov had moved to the United States in 1987 and worked for an academy that trained assassins which is where John Black was originally trained before having his memory wiped. Though, technically he was trained before that time. The writers changed the storyline. Victor worked to help restore Black's memory and learn his true identity, until Black escaped. (Victor became aware that Black wasn't the real Roman Brady, and was upset that he had been tricked by Stefano DiMera. Information contained in files in his possession ultimately led to the return of the real Roman, the "Tale of Two Romans" saga, and the surrounding Mexican caper involving the location of an ancient and mysterious Mayan treasure.)

Victor is the father of Isabella Toscano. Eventually, Victor "semi-retired"; in an effort to win the love and respect of his children, he eventually renounced his evil ways and became a legitimate, albeit still ruthless, businessman. However, occasionally Victor will use some of his old underworld connections to help his family and friends out of a jam. The Kiriakis name still commands considerable respect (and fear) in the underworld; few criminals of standing would knowingly or willingly cross Victor Kiriakis (at least without the protection of the DiMeras or some other powerful organization.) At one point, his son Philip, young and irresponsible (probably because he grew up pampered due to his father's wealth,) foolishly became indebted through illegal gambling to a criminal gang, who injured him in a ritualistic manner as a warning to him to pay up. Victor recognized the injury from his old criminal dealings, and, as well as punishing his son Philip Kiriakis, warned the gang's head (who had not realized that his gang was harassing the son of Victor Kiriakis) both verbally and with violent retributory attacks to renounce Philip's indebtedness, blowing up the home of the mob boss by Niko, one of Victor's former bodyguards, after they made sure the home was empty. Even before Victor began his attacks, the man was extremely respectful merely at the realization that he was speaking with Victor Kiriakis, and very frightened and apologetic when he realized that he may have harassed his son. In more recent years, it's been slowly revealed that Victor and the Kiriakis organization still maintains a very strong hand in the underworld, with deals and rivalries with the DiMera family and other criminals.

Victor was briefly married to Nicole Walker, who had saved his life when Kate Roberts was trying to have him killed during Greta Von Amberg's coronation. Nicole had an affair with Colin Murphy and Victor wanted a divorce. In February 2004, Nicole got Jan Spears to kill Victor by electrocuting him in his bathtub. Victor survived the attempt on his life and was held prisoner by Andre DiMera with other victims of the Salem Serial Killer. While on Melaswen, Victor kept a low profile and reconnected with his former love, Caroline Brady. Nicole was stunned when Victor returned to Salem in August 2005 and he made it his mission to get revenge.

When Phillip went missing in action during his second tour, Victor reverted to his old ways and was disowned by both his son Bo Brady, and grandson Shawn Douglas Brady, because he attempted to take Shawn's daughter Claire Brady for Philip (who had raised Claire since birth, believing the child to be legally his). Victor won Philip custody, but Claire was taken out of the country by Belle Black and Shawn. Philip eventually found them on the island of Tinda Lau, near Australia. After surviving a typhoon in the Pacific, Philip agreed to drop the pursuit of custody if Belle and Shawn would allow him to be a part of Claire's life, to which they were okay with. This disappointed Victor, but he has since learned to accept it.

After a brief absence from Salem, Victor made a dramatic return during John Black's funeral, with an extremely moving eulogy to a man who was once his bitter enemy, but eventually became a beloved friend and trusted member of his family and inner circle. Victor made attempts to amend his relationship with Bo. Victor's relationship with Bo rebounded in early 2008 following the death of the elder Shawn Brady. Victor's was there for Caroline and helped support her through her grief. Victor also took an active role in helping Bo overcome his illness by bringing his godson Dr. Daniel Jonas to Salem.

Victor suffered from a stroke and was incapacitated at University Hospital under the care of Dr. Daniel Jonas. Somehow, Victor was aware that Bo had received evidence that would possibly implicate Philip in the disappearance of Paul Hollingsworth. Recovering in the hospital from his stroke, Victor commiserated with Kate and expressed his fear that the worst may be yet to come for Philip.

On December 22, 2008, Victor asked his grandson Brady Black to be the Vice CEO of Titan Industries. Brady and Arianna Hernandez found he was once the drug lord before selling his business to EJ DiMera. When Vivian Alamain returns to town, Victor begins dating her once again, and marries her to protect his ex-wife Carly Manning from her wrath.

Victor & Maggie wedding

Victor and Maggie Kiriakis

In late 2010 Victor befriends and soon develops feelings for Maggie Horton. While still married to Vivian Alamain, Victor begins to woo the recently widowed Maggie. Vivian is furious, and plots to bury Maggie alive out of jealousy. By chance, it is Vivian who is entombed, and after escaping, traps Maggie. Victor helps save her, but Maggie learns that Victor knew that Vivian had been in the casket and had done nothing. Freed due to lack of evidence against her, Vivian realizes that Victor loves Maggie and not her, and divorces Victor. Maggie and Victor are officially a couple as of March 2011, and have shared one long-awaited on-screen kiss. Victor and Maggie are married as of November 2011.

Victor's character has finally developed into that of a rather crusty "elder statesman" of Salem, maintaining his position as the head of Titan Industries and the mighty Kiriakis family, but delegating more of the "heavy lifting" on both the legitimate and "shadier" fronts to other, younger family members and associates. Victor's scenes have become fan favorites of late due to his biting sarcasm and witty one-liners, and his general desire to see family and friends safe and happy as he rounds out his twilight years. In April 2014, Victor hosted his grandnephew Sonny Kiriakis's wedding to Will Horton.

In 2015, Victor was revealed to still be involved running diamond smuggling operation, headed by his nephew Xander Kiriakis. Victor had made sure Xander was taken care of when his father, Titus, had died. Victor turned on Xander when he tried to kill Daniel and Nicole, and forced him to be the new gardener of the Kiriakis estate. Later that year, Victor's great-granddaughter Claire Brady returned to town with her parents Shawn Douglas Brady and Belle Black. Victor was happy to have more family, especially when Philip also returned, but Daniel was killed in a car accident caused by Eric Brady, which left Victor heartbroken.

Victor vs Deimos

Victor is confronted by his estranged half-brother Deimos

While Victor remained happily married to Maggie, his life took a dramatic turn when his much younger brother Deimos Kiriakis showed up in early 2016, blaming him for his imprisonment many years before Victor settled in Salem. Deimos vowed to steal everything that Victor held near and dear, and even arranged for Maggie to have an accident which led her to break her back and become crippled once again. Maggie struggled for many months to regain the use of her legs, dealing with severe depression as a result, but with patience from Victor, was able once again to walk.
Brady Pub celebration Stefano's end

Victor partakes in the celebrating the end of his nemesis Stefano DiMera

Victor was shocked also during this time by the sudden murder of his arch-enemy Stefano DiMera by his daughter-in-law, Hope Brady.

To make matters worse, Victor leaned that Philip was working for Deimos, and that's why he returned to town shortly before Deimos arrived. This betrayal cut Victor deep, and Philip left town, but managed a reconciliation before he left. Victor and Deimos eventually came to terms with the past involving the death of a woman they were both interested named Helena Tasso. Helena had a strong resemblance to Nicole, implying that is why Victor took an interest in her.

Victor left Deimos in charge of TITAN, but Deimos proved to be just as vile as ever and was eventually arrested for his crimes. Victor put Sonny in charge of TITAN, and didn't even care when Deimos was murdered. Xander eventually rejoined the Kiriakis fold and fell for Maggie's daughter Sarah Horton, resolving himself to be a better man. When Ben Weston, the infamous Necktie Killer was released and started dating Ciara, Victor was furious, and tried to have Xander strangle Ben with a necktie. Xander refused, so Victor tried to do it himself, but was stopped.

Sarah was briefly with Eric Brady, and got pregnant with his child. After they broke up, Xander vowed to step up and be there for her and the child. After Sarah miscarried in a horrible car accident that appeared to be caused by Maggie after she got drunk, Victor enlisted Xander to help him switch her baby with Brady Black's and Kristen DiMera's. Victor was caught between a rock and a hard place as he had to betray his grandson in order to spare his wife pain.

Victor is stabbed by Kristen

A remorseless Victor is stabbed by a vengeful Kristen

Eventually, the truth came out, and Xander lost Sarah. Brady denounced Victor for what he did to him, and when Kristen confronted Victor, he showed no remorse. Kristen lost it, and stabbed Victor with the knife he was using for breakfast. Victor was found in time and rushed to the hospital, but Brady didn't care and went on the run with Kristen and their daughter Rachel Black.

Maggie turned herself and went to prison where she attempted to commit suicide. Xander figured it out, and saved Maggie's life. Maggie eventually learned how she had been set up by Orpheus and his son Evan Frears, who had kidnapped her to get a ransom from Victor, Maggie was released from prison Victor was thrilled to have his wife home.

Brady and Victor eventually reconciled when he returned to town, and Victor reluctantly agreed not to have Kristen charged for stabbing him. When Philip returned to town, Victor had him and Xander share the position of CEO at TITAN. Something Xander was resentful of since he had worked to prove himself while Philip was just handed it because of being Victor's son.

It was eventually discovered that Philip had gotten in debt with the Vitali job family, and they were using TITAN to launder money. Victor cleared up Philip's debt, and didn't fire him as CEO, which infuriated Xander enough to quit since Victor seemed to give Philip preferential treatment. Philip and Victor eventually had a falling out when Philip refused to give up his pursuit of Chloe.

Victor was caught in the middle when Brady was accused of killing Philip. Victor had to choose between saving his grandson or getting Justice for his son. Kate pushed Victor to sign a statement declaring Philip dead, so Brady would be charged with his murder. Philip eventually revealed he was alive, and Kate told Victor the truth. After getting Philip sent away for treatment, and they rescinded their statement.

Victor was out a CEO, so when Sonny and Will came for a visit, Victor offered Sonny the job. Sonny took the job while Will went back to Arizona. Alexander Kiriakis eventually showed up in town, and Victor used the fact that he had bought a company that Sonny was seeking to acquire for TITAN to blackmail Alex into reporting to him directly. Victor assumed Alex was making a play for Sonny's job.

Victor resented Justin's relationship with Bonnie, but came around to accepting her as family with Maggie's help after playing a round of cards with her, Maggie, and Justin. Maggie and Sarah also worked to reconcile Victor and Xander at Thanksgiving. Victor still resented Xander for walking away from TITAN the way he did, and begrudgingly accepted Xander's attempts to strike out on his own.

Victor 122622

Victor during his final onscreen appearance

final On December 26, 2022; Victor made bus last appearance onscreen, and was dismayed to have also Stark as a houseguest. Victor tried to force Sonny to get rid of Leo by threatening to fire him as CEO, but when Sonny wouldn't budge, Victor relented. Victor wondered what Will thought of this, and when Sonny told him he doesn't know and doesn't get a say, Victor cautioned Sonny that if Will found out, he would have some "'splaining" to do.

Rex came to the mansion to deliver a letter to Victor from Philip. After Bo was revealed to be alive and rendered catatonic from being shot in the back by Shawn, Victor flew to Greece to be with him. There, he boasted a guilt ridden Shawn for shooting his father even though Shawn only did it because he knew Bo's brain had been messed with and saw him holding a gun on Hope.

Victor needed a new CEO of TITAN, and appointed Maggie to be his replacement. Alex tried to go over Maggie's head with Victor to get a deal he had been working on approved, and when Maggie and Victor both found out, they were furious with Alex.

Victor returned home, but was noted by Maggie to be getting weaker. She called Xander over to reconcile with Victor before it was too late, and Xander made peace with his uncle. Soon after, Victor left to visit Bo again. The Kiriakis clan were planning to welcome him home, but the TITAN jet went missing.

Victor's loved ones were worried, and phoned Shawn to see if he could phone Hope to see if Victor was still with her. Hope said that Victor had left three days ago with no hint as to where he went afterwards other than the fact that he seemed troubled by something.

Justin got in tough with Shane and asked the ISA to find out why happened. The ISA reported that the coast guard had found wreckage from the TITAN jet, that it had went down over the Mediterranean. So far, there were no confirmed survivors, but eventually the coat guard located and confirmed that Victor had died when they recovered his body.

His death was ultimately mourned and celebrated by both his loved ones and his enemies.

John Aniston Days' Tribute

John-aniston-days-9-1014x570

R.I.P. John Aniston

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