“Days of Our Lives” actor Drake Hogestyn passed away the day before what would have been his 71st birthday.
The family of the longtime soap star, who appeared in about 4,300 episodes, released a statement on the show's social media Saturday night.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. Life threw him a curve ball when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination. After an incredible battle, he passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones.”
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Drake Hogestyn played John Black on “Days of Our Lives” for approximately 4,300 episodes. (Evans Vestal Ward/Peacock via Getty Images)
“He was the most amazing husband, father, dad and actor. He was honored to perform in front of Days audiences and to share the stage with some of the best cast, crew and production teams in the industry. He loved it,” his family wrote.
Deirdre Hall, who played Malena Evans, and Drake Hogestyn, who played John Black, were a power couple on television for decades. (Evans Vestal Ward/Peacock/NBCU Photobank via Getty Images)
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Hogestyn took on the role of John Black, an undercover agent in a fictional intelligence unit, in 1986. His character attracted interest with its dramatic backstory. Black was actually Roman Brady (played by Wayne Northrop), who died two years before the show. After undergoing plastic surgery and amnesia, he reappears as a new person. He and Deirdre Hall married on the show, making them one of television's most beloved couples.
The actor briefly left Days of Our Lives in 2009, but returned in 2011.
Several of Hogestyn's current and former co-stars mourned his death. Alison Sweeney, who left the show in 2022, shared her heartbreaking thoughts about X, writing in part:[Drake] I cared about every scene and every character. ”
His son, Christopher Shawn, who stars in television, called Hogestyn a “true hero.”
His TV daughter Martha Madison posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
“One of my favorite memories with Drake was from a while ago,” she wrote in part. “He knew that I was very nervous as I prepared to give a five-page monologue on my deathbed, and that after the scene was over (we were both drenched in tears and snot). He gave me a big hug and whispered, “Hey, that's what it felt like.'' That's when I heard the sound of a bat breaking as a long ball hit the stands, and the crowd went wild.
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Australian actor Dan Feurigel, who only joined the series in 2021, spoke about how welcomed veteran actors are on set.
Mary Beth Evans and Drake Hogestyn attend the 50th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in December 2023. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Hogestyn is survived by his childhood sweetheart Victoria, their four children, and grandchildren.
