The Tragedy That Prompted Rachel Melvin’s Return To Days Of Our Lives

Rachel Melvin returned to “Days of Our Lives” to honor the late John Aniston — one of the many accomplished actors she starred alongside during her time on the show. John, who was the real-life father of Jennifer Aniston, died in November 2022 at the age of 89, as People reported. He played the role of Victor Kiriakis — Chelsea Brady’s fictional grandfather —  and had been a staple on the show for almost forty years. 

Upon hearing the news, Rachel Melvin reflected on their bond. “I had kind of put it out into the ether when John Aniston [ex-Victor] passed away that he meant a lot to me because he did,” Melvin shared with Soap Opera Digest. “He was one of the people that I had the most fun with on set and I just really enjoyed him.” Melvin then asked “Days of Our Lives” cast member Martha Madison to keep her up to date on any possible funeral arrangements for John. “I don’t know if maybe that got passed around or something, but before I knew it, my manager was calling and said, ‘Hey, DAYS would like to invite you back for a memorial episode,’ which, of course, I was l more than willing and excited and happy to do,” she explained.