John's family emigrated to the United States when he was ten years old, and his parents opened a diner in Eddytown, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor's degree in Theater Arts, served in the United States Navy as an intelligence officer on active duty in Panama and later in the reserve attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
John is familiar to fans of daytime since he has appeared on various soaps almost continually since 1975, when he joined the cast of
Love of… More Life. In 1978, he played Mary Stuart's new love interest, on Search for Tomorrow. His most famous role was on Days of Our Lives. He is the father of actress Jennifer Aniston.