Actor Drake Hogestyn, who since 1986 has played John Black on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives, died on Saturday after a

battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 70.

Drake Hogestyn Dead Cause of Death Obituary

“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn,” the actor’s family wrote in a statement posted to Days of Our Lives‘ Instagram account. “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. 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.”

In a statement to Soap Opera Digest, Days executive producer Ken Corday added, “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.”

DAYS fans…Drake Hogestyn has died 😢😢😢 – Blogs & Forums

Hogestyn made his Days of Our Lives debut on Jan. 24, 1986, playing spy-slash-mercenary-slash-art smuggler (among other occupations) John Black.

He held that role on the NBC-turned-Peacock soap opera from 1986 to 2009, then again from 2011 through this year (including a stint on the Peacock miniseries Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem in 2021). In mid-June, John Black left the canvas and headed to Greece, on a journey to make amends for things he had unwittingly done as The Pawn.

With Deidre Hall as Marlena Evans, Hogestyn formed one of daytime TV’s most iconic and time-tested couples.

“I’m so saddened by this news,” Kassie DePaiva, who played Days‘ Eve, shared on X on Saturday. “[Drake was] one of the kindest people I have ever worked with. What an amazing life he lived. He will be missed. He made the world a better place.”

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Fellow daytime vet Nancy Lee Grahn, who plays General Hospital‘s Alexis, posted to X, “My deepest condolences to Drake Hogestyn’s family, friends and fans. What a lovely, lovely gracious man.”

In addition to Days of Our Lives, Hogestyn’s TV credits included CBS’ series adaptation of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (which aired for one season in 1982), a 2018 episode of Criminal Minds and the Hallmark holiday movie Christmas Tree Lane.