Drake Hogestyn, the veteran actor known for his long-standing role on “Days of Our Lives,” has passed away at the age of 70, his family confirmed on Saturday. After a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer, Hogestyn succumbed to the illness.
The family released a heartfelt statement expressing their grief and admiration for Hogestyn, 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. We love him and we will miss him all the Days of our Lives.”
Hogestyn’s death came just one day before what would have been his 71st birthday. The actor was best known for his portrayal of John Black on the beloved soap opera, a role he played in over 4,200 episodes since joining the show in 1986. His television career kicked off four years earlier with a role in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” and though he appeared in various other projects throughout his career, he remained most synonymous with “Days of Our Lives.”
His final appearance on the show was in an episode that aired on September 9. Hogestyn’s character, John, and Marlena Evans, played by Deidre Hall, were a quintessential soap opera super couple, captivating audiences for decades.
Ken Corday, the executive producer of “Days of Our Lives,” expressed deep sorrow for the loss. “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.”
Hogestyn is survived by his wife Victoria, their four children—Rachael, Ben, Whitney, and Alexandra—and seven grandchildren.
Before embarking on his acting career, Hogestyn pursued baseball and played for a minor league team affiliated with the New York Yankees.
Tributes from fellow “Days of Our Lives” cast members have poured in on social media. Alison Sweeney, known for her role as Sami Brady until 2014, remembered Hogestyn fondly on Instagram. “Drake was an incredible man. He was funny, generous and thoughtful. He cared about every single scene, every person. He loved Days, the fans, and shared that passion with everyone on set. My heart breaks for his family, they meant everything to him. He was such a huge part of my life at Days. I will miss him terribly and treasure every story, every joke & every hug.”
Kristian Alfonso, who portrayed Hope Williams Brady, shared a video montage featuring photos of her and Hogestyn. She described him as a “hero” to the cast and wrote, “I’ll always remember you as a loving, loving father, husband and dear friend but mostly an incredible, passionate human being, generous and immensely kind, always.”
Drake Hogestyn’s legacy on “Days of Our Lives” and in the hearts of those who knew him best will endure, a testament to his talent and the profound impression he left behind.
