Drake Hogestyn, Beloved ‘Days of Our Lives’ Icon, Passes Away at 70

Drake Hogestyn, best known for his role as John Black on the long-running soap opera “Days of Our Lives”, passed away on Saturday at the age of 70, as confirmed by his family. His tragic death followed a brave battle with pancreatic cancer.

Hogestyn’s family released a heartfelt statement highlighting his qualities, saying, “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.” They concluded with a touching sentiment, “We love him and we will miss him all the Days of our Lives.” Notably, he died just one day shy of his 71st birthday.

He made his mark on the show in 1986 and remained a beloved character for over 4,200 episodes, becoming synonymous with the role. Drake Hogestyn was a pivotal figure in the soap opera genre and a staple of daytime television. Prior to his soap opera fame, he appeared in the series “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” in 1982 and had various roles throughout his acting career.

Hogestyn’s last appearance on “Days of Our Lives” aired on September 9, where he shared the screen with Deidre Hall’s character, Marlena Evans, as a significant super couple in the series’ history.

The executive producer of “Days of Our Lives,” Ken Corday, expressed his sorrow, stating, “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.” He emphasized Hogestyn’s profound impact both personally and professionally, which will always be remembered.

Drake Hogestyn leaves behind his wife, Victoria, and their four children: Rachael, Ben, Whitney, and Alexandra, along with their partners and seven grandchildren. Before venturing into acting, he played baseball, representing a minor league team affiliated with the New York Yankees.

Many cast members from “Days of Our Lives” have taken to social media to pay tribute to Hogestyn. Alison Sweeney, known for her portrayal of Sami Brady, shared her memories on Instagram, recalling him as “an incredible man” who was “funny, generous, and thoughtful,” and who genuinely cared for everyone on set.

Kristian Alfonso, who played Hope Williams Brady, shared a touching video montage of Hogestyn, emphasizing his role as a hero to the cast. In her post, she described him as “a loving father, husband, and dear friend,” praising his kindness and generosity.