‘Days of Our Lives’ Veteran Drake Hogestyn Dies at 70
Drake Hogestyn, the actor behind Days of Our Lives mainstay John Black, has died at age 70.
His family shared the news on Instagram on Saturday, September 28, announcing he had died earlier that day — one day before his 71st birthday — following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn,” the family said in their statement. “He was thrown the curveball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination. After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.”
They added: “He was the most amazing husband, father, papa, and actor. He loved performing for the Days audience and sharing the stage with the greatest cast, crew, and production team in the business. We love him, and we will miss him all the Days of Our Lives.”
Corday Productions
Ken Corday, executive producer of the NBC soap, said in a statement, “This is a very difficult one for all of us. Hogey was the ultimate team player, and there are not sufficient words to express how deeply he will be missed. His impact on our show, personally and professionally, was profound and will forever remain unmatched.”
Born on September 29, 1953, Hogestyn played John Black from 1987 to 2009 and from 2011 until his death, filling the role in more than 4,200 episodes. Before his Days debut, he played Brian McFadden on the 1982 CBS series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. And though his daytime work kept him busy, he found time to guest-star in a 2018 episode of the CBS procedural Criminal Minds and to appear in the 2020 Hallmark Movies & Mysteries movie Christmas Tree Lane.
He’s survived by his wife, Victoria, their children — Rachael, Ben, Whitney, Alexandra — and their children’s partners, and their seven grandchildren.
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That absolutely breaks my heart. Although I stopped watching Days a couple of years ago, I always loved John Black. There will never be another couple like John and Marlena ever ❤️🩹
Condolences to all his family
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I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I have watched days of our lives for almost 55 years. John Black was the best.
One another note, though, what is going on with this new storyline? The whole soap opera pretense is laughable, but not watchable.It
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This makes me sick. I was lucky enough to meet Drake when I was the guest of "Days" at a book signing in Durham, North Carolina for the 50th Anniversary book they published. I had recently had back surgery and he took me downstairs to show me the scars he had from numerous back surgeries he too had endured. He was so kind and down to earth. I can't imagine how the show will write him out. He is irreplaceable as a character or actor!
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Met Drake in Logan Airport, he kindly stopped to sign an autograph for my wife’s niece who was dying of cancer and was a huge fan of his. He stayed an chatted telling us to tell her he’s rooting for her. Nice, nice man.
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I felt terrible when I heard this news. Such an amazing actor who I absolutely loved watching. If I had to ever choose my favorite DOOL actor, it would undoubtedly be Drake. Even though he played many characters over the years ranging from the pawn, to a priest, Roman Brady and more, it was his portrayal of John Black that I completely fell in love with. Such an amazing actor who spent more than half of his life on Days of our lives. I always looked forward to his scenes. Let's just hope the Days writers don't even think of doing something beyond stupid as having Marlena be with anyone else. As outrageous as that sounds, I think most Days viewers know the writers are capable of such stupidity. Just look at their history. Also, as someone else mentioned: This soap within a soap storyline is completely unwatchable. Hope it ends soon. Condolences to Drakes friends and family 🙏 Thank you very much for so many years of entertaining us with your talents. May you rest in peace 🙏 My favorite actor ever on Days? Drake Hogestyn. As John Black would say: That's a fact...
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I am so sorry to hear of Hogestyn's passing. He was a very good man,actor and human being. He will be greatly missed by everyone. Deepest condolences to family, friends and fans. Stay safe and God bless.
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