As reported first by Soap Hub, Drake Hogestyn, beloved as John Black on Days of our Lives, has died. The fan favorite was 70 years old.
In Memoriam: Drake Hogestyn
A spokesperson for the soap wrote, “Days of our Lives is heartbroken to share news of the passing of Drake Hogestyn. His family shared the statement below, and there will be no further details or comments at this time.”
The actor’s family’s statement said, “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. He was thrown the curve ball 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.
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.”
-The Hogestyn Family”
Executive Producer Ken Corday adds, “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.”
Donald Drake Hogestyn was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on September 29, 1953, and attended North Side High School. He continued his education at the University of South Florida in Tampa, attending school on a baseball scholarship. He majored in pre-dentistry with a double major in microbiology and applied sciences.
The athlete was drafted by both the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees. Hogestyn played third base on the Yankees’ farm team until he was injured in 1977. Turning to acting, Hogestyn entered a Columbia Pictures talent search that included 75,000 individuals; he was among 30 contenders who were selected. His first big role was on the nighttime drama Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
In 1986, the actor joined DAYS as the enigmatic John Black, a man who has had more mystery surrounding his origins than arguably any other character on soaps. Initially, John was referred to as “The Pawn,” a story that was recently explored.
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Eventually, it was revealed that the Pawn was the presumed dead Roman Brady (Wayne Northrup). He and Marlena were reunited and re-married in a gala ceremony. In 1991, Northrup came back to the show, and Hogestyn’s character was revealed not to be Shawn (Frank Parker) and Caroline’s (Peggy McCay). Upon finding out he wasn’t truly “Roman,” Marlena’s love went back to calling himself John.
No matter what challenge was between John and Marlena, their portrayers played their obstacles as a love story. Whether they were battling Kristen (then, Eileen Davidson; now, Stacy Haiduk), Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis), Stefano (Joe Mascolo), or the mistaken belief that Marlena was a killer (she wasn’t), John’s love for Marlena — and hers for him — never, ever wavered. The two have never stopped loving one another or refrained from showing that love.
John and Marlena tried to fight their feelings for one another. Despite Roman’s return, Marlena found herself drawn to John. They made love while she was married to Roman, and their daughter, Belle (Martha Madison), was conceived. In the mid to late 90s, John and Marlena were kept apart via the machinations of Kristen and Satan! John’s past life as a priest came in handy when a possessed Marlena started levitating and needed to be exorcised.
In 1999, free from both Kristen and Satan, John and Marlena were married once again but were soon facing another host of challenges including Princess Gina and the Salem Serial Killer. John was killed off in 2007 but he was later resurrected. Both Hogestyn and Hall left DAYS the following year and returned in the fall of 2011.
“I think the audience that has watched for a while knows that romance doesn’t die after 45,” Hogestyn told Soap Hub in 2022 as the show was preparing to switch from NBC to streaming platform Peacock. “There’s still a love of romance there in a more mature way and in a deeper way. Snow on the roof, fire in the furnace. It’s the bonding of two people. It’s what people want to see.”
Hogestyn’s other acting credits include Criminal Minds and the TV movie Christmas Tree Lane.
Drake Hogestyn is survived by his wife/high school sweetheart, Victoria, and their four children, Whitney, Alexandra, Rachael, and Ben (ex-Lucas, General Hospital), and four grandchildren. As DAYS tapes several months ahead, viewers can expect to see Hogestyn on screen for a while longer.
Soap Hub sends sincere condolences to Hogestyn’s family, everyone at DAYS, and the actor’s loved ones at this difficult time.
