Drake Hogestyn, beloved as John Black on Days of our Lives, has died. The fan favourite was 70 years outdated.
In Memoriam: Drake Hogestyn
A spokesperson for the cleaning 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.”
“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 provides, “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 training at the University of South Florida in Tampa, attending faculty on a baseball scholarship. He majored in pre-dentistry with a double main in microbiology and utilized sciences.
The athlete was drafted by each the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees. Hogestyn performed third base on the Yankees’ farm group till he was injured in 1977. Turning to appearing, Hogestyn entered a Columbia Pictures expertise search that included 75,000 people; he was amongst 30 contenders who have been chosen. His first massive function was on the nighttime drama Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
In 1986, the actor joined DAYS because the enigmatic John Black, a person who has had extra thriller surrounding his origins than arguably every other character on soaps. Initially, John was known as “The Pawn,” a narrative that was not too long ago explored.
Eventually, it was revealed that the Pawn was the presumed lifeless Roman Brady (Wayne Northrup). He and Marlena have been reunited and re-married in a gala ceremony. In 1991, Northrup got here again to the present, and Hogestyn’s character was revealed to not be Shawn (Frank Parker) and Caroline’s (Peggy McCay). Upon discovering out he wasn’t actually “Roman,” Marlena’s love went again to calling himself John.
No matter what problem was between John and Marlena, their portrayers performed their obstacles as a love story. Whether they have been battling Kristen (then, Eileen Davidson; now, Stacy Haiduk), Andre DiMera ((*70*) Penghlis), Stefano (Joe Mascolo), or the mistaken perception that Marlena was a killer (she wasn’t), John’s love for Marlena — and hers for him — by no means, ever wavered. The two have by no means stopped loving each other or kept away from displaying that love.
John and Marlena tried to struggle their emotions for each other. Despite Roman’s return, Marlena discovered herself drawn to John. They made love whereas she was married to Roman, and their daughter, Belle (Martha Madison), was conceived. In the mid to late 90s, John and Marlena have been stored aside through the machinations of Kristen and Satan! John’s previous life as a priest got here in helpful when a possessed Marlena began levitating and wanted to be exorcised.
In 1999, free from each Kristen and Satan, John and Marlena have been married as soon as once more however have been quickly going through one other host of challenges together with Princess Gina and the Salem Stalker. John was killed off in 2007 however he was later resurrected. Both Hogestyn and Hall left DAYS the next yr and returned within the fall of 2011.
“I think the audience that has watched for a while knows that romance doesn’t die after 45,” Hogestyn instructed Soap Hub in 2022 because the present was getting ready to change 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 different appearing credit embrace Criminal Minds and the TV film Christmas Tree Lane.
Drake Hogestyn is survived by his spouse/highschool sweetheart, Victoria, and their 4 kids, Whitney, Alexandra, Rachael, and Ben (ex-Lucas, General Hospital), and 4 grandchildren. As DAYS tapes a number of months forward, viewers can count on to see Hogestyn on display screen for some time longer.
Soap Hub sends honest condolences to Hogestyn’s household, everybody at DAYS, and the actor’s family members at this troublesome time.
