Drake Hogestyn, the actor best known for his portrayal of John Black on the iconic soap opera Days of Our Lives, has passed away at the age of 70, just a day before his 71st birthday.
Hogestyn, born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, initially pursued a career in baseball, signing with the New York Yankees and playing for one of their farm teams. However, an injury in 1977 forced him to pivot to acting.His acting career took off in the early 1980s, making his TV debut in CBS’ Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
In 1986, Hogestyn joined Days of Our Lives as “The Pawn,” eventually becoming a fan favourite as John Black. His on-screen pairing with Marlena Evans, played by Deidre Hall, captivated audiences and earned them a Soap Opera Digest Award for Favourite Couple in 2005. Hogestyn took a brief hiatus from the show from 2009-2011 but returned to the character until his passing.
The news of Hogestyn’s death was confirmed by the show’s social media account, which shared: “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.”
Executive producer Ken Corday expressed his deep sorrow, stating: “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.”
Off-screen, Hogestyn was married to Victoria Post for 37 years. They had four children: Whitney, Alexandra, Rachael, and Ben. His family also reflected on his life, 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.”
Colleague Nancy Lee Grahn, from General Hospital, wrote on X, “My deepest condolences to Drake Hogestyn’s family, friends, and fans. What a lovely, lovely gracious man.”