Drake Hogestyn, Longtime “Days of Our Lives” Star, Dies at 70 of Pancreatic Cancer

The actor performed John Black on the daytime cleaning soap for 38 years

Drake Hogestyn, the beloved star who performed John Black for 38 years, has died. He was 70.

The actor was simply someday shy of his 71st birthday when he died on Sept. 28, 2024, PEOPLE confirms.

The favored cleaning soap opera shared a press release from the actor’s household on social media.

“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn,” it reads. “He was thrown the curve ball of his life when he was identified with pancreatic most cancers, however he confronted the problem with unimaginable energy and dedication. After placing up an unbelievable combat, he handed peacefully surrounded by family members.”

The assertion continues: “He was probably the most superb husband, father, papa and actor. He cherished performing for the ‘Days’ viewers and sharing the stage with the best forged, crew, and manufacturing workforce within the enterprise. We love him and we’ll miss him all of the Days of our Lives.”

The message was signed, “The Hogestyn household.”

“It is a very tough one for all of us,” Days of Our Lives govt producer Ken Corday mentioned in a press release to PEOPLE. “Hogey was the final word workforce participant and there will not be enough phrases to precise how deeply he will probably be missed. His impression on our present, personally and professionally, was profound and can eternally stay unmatched.”

Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Hogestyn initially sought a profession as an expert baseball participant, even signing with the New York Yankees and taking part in for certainly one of their farm groups till he was injured in 1977.

Hogestyn’s first huge position got here within the early Eighties within the CBS collection Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He initially joined Days of Our Lives in 1986 as a mysterious character often known as “The Pawn” earlier than changing into a fan favourite as John Black.

John turned one-half of a number of beloved pairings over time, however few have been extra common than his reference to Marlena Evans, performed by . Collectively, they gained a Cleaning soap Opera Digest Award for Favourite Couple in 2005.

Associated:

Hogestyn wasn’t simply identified for his long-running position although. He and his childhood sweetheart, Victoria Publish, wed in 1986 and remained married for 37 years. They welcomed 4 youngsters — daughters Whitney, Alexandra and Rachael, and son, Ben — and have seven grandchildren.

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The actor’s DOOL costars had been fast to take to social media to share their recollections.

“Drake was an unimaginable man,” on Instagram. “He was humorous, beneficiant and considerate. He cared about each single scene, each particular person. He cherished Days, the followers, and shared that keenness with everybody on set. My coronary heart breaks for his household, they meant the whole lot to him. He was such an enormous a part of my life at Days. I’ll miss him terribly and treasure each story, each joke & each hug.”

Kristian Alfonso , “I’ll all the time bear in mind you as a Loving, Loving father, husband and Expensive good friend however principally an unimaginable, passionate human being, beneficiant and immensely variety, At all times …… Thank youuuu for the love you gave us all on a regular basis Drake on set and off you had been all the time our hero.”

, who performed John’s illegitimate son Paul Narita, a touching tribute on X alongside a photograph from the present of John and Paul hugging.

“I’ll all the time love you,” he mentioned. “You had been extra than simply my television father, in my eyes you had been my dad. Thanks for the whole lot you taught me and the love you gave me. The world misplaced a real Hero. Miss and love you a lot Drake. Relaxation in Peace Dad.”

, “So unhappy to listen to of Drake Hogestyn’s passing. Such an exquisite and sort man. It was a pleasure to work with him. I all the time cherished how a lot he cherished his spouse and kids.”

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