Drake Hogestyn (John Black, "Days of Our Lives") 1953 - 2024

[Zoneboy]

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/...024820436.html

Drake Hogestyn, who played John Black on “Days of Our Lives” for 38 years, has died due to pancreatic cancer.

The actor’s family announced the news in a statement posted to the Instagram account of the long-running soap opera.

“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,” reads the statement. “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 businyess. We love him and we will miss him all the Days of our Lives.”

Hogestyn first appeared on “Days of Our Lives” on Jan. 24, 1986. He went on to play John Black — the mysterious and heroic spy, mercenary, police officer, private investigator and secret agent — in more than 4,200 episodes of the NBC soap (which, since 2022, has aired episodes on Peacock).

Hogestyn’s credits outside of “Days of Our Lives” included the musical CBS series “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” and a handful of TV movies in the 1980s and ’90s, including “Generation,” “Beverly Hills Cowgirl Blues,” “One Stormy Night” and “Night Sins.”

Kassie DePaiva, who played Eve on “Days of Our Lives,” paid tribute to Hogestyn on social media, writing on X, “I’m so saddened by this news. One of the kindest people I have ever worked with. What an amazing life he lived. He will be missed. He made the world a better place.”

[TMC]

Drake Hogestyn “signed off” on his Days of Our Lives character John Black's death scene before his own death

“I wanted to make sure Drake signed off on this, and he was totally in favor of it," Days executive producer Ken Corday tells Soap Opera Digest. "He trusted me. Had Drake, God willing, beaten this, he would’ve come back, and it would’ve been something different. But [the story] had to be told. It was extremely difficult and painful for us to tell it — for the cast, for everybody. Drake was a big part of the show. The consummate actor. Always a team player and pretty good-looking, too.”

[TMC]

Drake Hogestyn's 'Days of Our Lives' Character Dies 8 Months After Actor's Death: 'Hardest Day Ever,' Says Deidre Hall, His Onscreen Partner of 39 Years

[TMC]

1 Year Ago, a Timeless ‘Days of our Lives’ Love Story Came to a Tragic End

'Days of our Lives'' Marlena marks one year since John Black's death, honoring Drake Hogestyn as Belle and Brady join her in remembering their beloved father.