Drake Hogestyn, renowned for his role as John Black in the long-running daytime drama “Days of Our Lives,” passed away on September 28, 2024 at the age of 70 in Los Angeles, California. His death, one day before his 71st birthday, was due to pancreatic cancer.
Hogestyn was born on September 29, 1953, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He attended the University of South Florida on a baseball scholarship, earning a dual degree in microbiology and applied sciences. His athletic skills caught the eye of professional baseball scouts, leading to his draft by the New York Yankees in 1976.
He played third base for the New York Yankees’ farm team, the Oneonta Yankees, until 1978 when injuries ended his sports career. Despite this setback, Hogestyn’s resilience and determination fueled his subsequent career. His time with the team included a grand slam home run.
After his baseball career, Hogestyn moved into acting as part of an acting training program with Columbia Pictures. His first significant part was in the 1980s TV series “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”
In 1986, Hogestyn began his iconic role in “Days of Our Lives,” initially introduced as a character called “The Pawn.” This character later became John Black, a role Hogestyn continued for 38 years, appearing in over 4,200 episodes.
As John Black, a multifaceted character with stints as a police officer, private investigator, and secret agent, Hogestyn won over fans. His on-screen pairing with Deidre Hall, who portrayed Dr. Marlena Evans, resulted in one of daytime TV’s most popular duos, known as “John and Marlena.”
During his time on “Days of Our Lives,” Hogestyn received critical recognition and several awards. He was twice named Hottest Male Actor by the Soap Opera Digest in 1994 and 1995, and shared the Favorite Couple award with Hall in 2005.
Co-star Alison Sweeney remembered Hogestyn as “an incredible man,” adding, “He cared about every single scene, every person. He loved Days, the fans, and shared that passion with everyone on set.”
Genie Francis, who had a two-year stint on the show, appreciated Hogestyn as a “wonderful and kind man,” and enjoyed working with him. Christopher Sean, who played Hogestyn’s on-screen son, shared, “I will always love you. You were more than just my TV father, in my eyes you were my dad. Thank you for everything you taught me and the love you gave me. The world lost a true Hero.”
Outside “Days of Our Lives,” Hogestyn had guest roles on other TV shows, such as “Criminal Minds,” and starred in the Hallmark holiday movie “Christmas Tree Lane.”
Hogestyn stayed close to his Fort Wayne roots, often visiting Cindy’s Diner and participating in the local Mad Anthonys Pro-Am golf tournament in the 1990s. He married Victoria Post on December 31, 1986, and they had four children together: Whitney, Alexandra, Rachael, and Ben. He was also a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren.
The official “Days of Our Lives” Instagram account announced Hogestyn’s death, noting his incredible strength and determination in facing his pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
In a heartfelt post on Sunday morning, Melissa Reeves, known for her role as Jennifer Horton on “Days of Our Lives,” expressed her sorrow, saying, “Our hearts are heartbroken upon hearing of Drake’s passing. I feel blessed and grateful to have known such an incredible man.”
She shared that Hogestyn’s final message to her was to “love and cherish our time with our grandchildren, as that was always where your heart lay. Family first,” concluding her tribute with the sentiment, “There are not enough words.”
Other cast members, including Stephen Nichols, Kristian Alfonso, and Susan Hayes, also paid their respects.
Drake Hogestyn leaves a lasting legacy in daytime television. His portrayal of John Black engaged viewers for generations, solidifying his status as a recognized and cherished figure in the entertainment industry. As his fans and colleagues grieve his loss, they also honor the enduring impact he made on “Days of Our Lives” and the soap opera genre.
