In heartbreaking news, Days of Our Lives fans are mourning the passing of Drake Hogestyn, the legendary actor who portrayed John Black for nearly 40 years. He died at the age of 70, just
one day shy of his 71st birthday. The official Days of Our Lives Instagram account shared the news, revealing that Hogestyn had been privately battling pancreatic cancer. Despite the
difficulty of his illness, his family described him as facing it with immense strength and determination. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. Known for being a devoted
husband, father, and actor, Drake’s family shared their love for him and how much they will miss him.
Drake Hogestyn became a staple of Days of Our Lives when he joined the show in 1986, eventually taking on the role of John Black, which would become iconic. His on-screen romance with Marlena Evans, portrayed by Deidre Hall, became one of the most memorable love stories in soap opera history. Together, they won the hearts of fans, and their story earned them a Soap Opera Digest award for Favorite Couple in 2005. Beyond acting, Drake lived a remarkable life. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he excelled academically, attending the University of South Florida on a baseball scholarship and studying to become an oral surgeon. He even played professional baseball until an injury ended his career, which led him to acting. His natural talent and charm earned him a spot in the top 30 of a Columbia Pictures talent search in the late 1970s, out of 75,000 applicants.
Co-stars and fans alike have been sharing their grief and memories of Drake, with many describing him as a mentor, friend, and inspiration. Executive producer Ken Corday called him “the epitome of a team player,” and Martha Madison, who played his on-screen daughter Belle, expressed how much he meant to her. Tributes from actors like Eric Martsolf (Brady Black) and Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady) reflected on the deep personal connections they shared with him.
Drake’s final episode aired on September 9th, 2023, with his character offering words of comfort to his grandson. Though his passing is devastating, Hogestyn’s legacy as John Black and his immense contributions to the world of Days of Our Lives will never be forgotten. Fans can expect a tribute to his memory in future episodes as a heartfelt goodbye to the legendary actor.
