Days of Our Lives fans know that Salem is full of incredible characters. However, few soap opera characters are as iconic, ruthless, and weirdly lovable as Victor Kiriakis. The late John Aniston (yep, Jennifer Aniston’s dad) brought the character to life in 1985 and kept us all hooked with Victor’s mobster swagger, brutal honesty, and that dry wit that always made us laugh. Over the decades, Victor gave soap opera viewers some of the most jaw-dropping, dramatic, and occasionally hilarious moments in Salem history.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and relive a few of Victor’s most unforgettable storylines—because the man may be gone, but his legacy is very much alive.
Victor Kiriakis Transformed From Mob Boss to Titan Tycoon
When Victor first arrived in Salem, he wasn’t exactly hiding his shady side. A literal mob boss with his hands in all kinds of dirty dealings, Victor was both feared and respected. But somewhere along the way, he traded in the crime life for corporate boardrooms, taking over Titan Industries and becoming one of Salem’s wealthiest (and most powerful) businessmen. Still, let’s be honest—he never completely ditched his mobster ways. He just learned how to do it in a suit.
Days of Our Lives Fans Loved To Watch His On-and-Off, Always Complicated Love Life
Victor’s romantic relationships were pure soap gold. His on-again, off-again relationship with Caroline Brady was full of passion and secrets—including the shocking reveal that Victor was Bo Brady’s biological father. That twist rocked the entire Brady family and changed the Days landscape forever. Later, his marriage to Vivian Alamain was as dramatic as you’d expect (we’re talking burying Carly Manning alive—need we say more?). He was also married to the likes of Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) and Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker). But it was his relationship with Maggie Horton that brought out his surprisingly sweet side, showing that even Victor Kiriakis had a heart buried under all that sarcasm.
Victor Was One Of Salem’s All-Time Villians Alongside Stefano Dimera
Victor had a special talent: he could absolutely annihilate someone with a single line. Whether he was going toe-to-toe with Stefano DiMera, throwing shade at Nicole Walker, or just putting someone in their place at a family dinner, Victor’s one-liners were legendary. His sharp tongue was a fan favorite—and let’s be real, he made insults sound classy.
Kiriakis Family Drama Is Always Juicy
Being a Kiriakis came with serious drama, and Victor was usually at the center of it. Whether he was clashing with his troublemaking nephew Xander, dealing with Philip’s emotional rollercoasters, or manipulating Brady Black (again), Victor kept things messy—and entertaining. Yet, underneath all that manipulation was a man who truly loved his family… even if he showed it in the most Victor way possible.
Victor Kiriakis was one of Salem’s last great power players, and Days of Our Lives hasn’t been quite the same without him. Whether you loved him or loved to hate him, you couldn’t deny that when Victor was on screen, you were watching TV magic. John Aniston’s presence is definitely missed on the soap.
