Drake Hogestyn, the iconic actor who portrayed John Black on Days of Our Lives for nearly four decades, has passed away at the age of 70. PEOPLE confirms that Hogestyn died on September 28, 2024, just one day shy of his 71st birthday.
The Hogestyn family shared the heartbreaking news via a statement posted on Days of Our Lives’ social media pages.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn,” the family wrote. “He was thrown the curveball of his life when 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 his loved ones.”
The statement continued, “He was the most amazing husband, father, grandfather, and actor. He cherished performing for the Days audience and being part of an incredible cast, crew, and production team. We love him, and we will miss him all the Days of our Lives.”
The message was signed by “The Hogestyn Family.”
Remembering a Legend
Days of Our Lives executive producer Ken Corday also released a statement, saying, “This is an incredibly difficult loss for all of us. Hogey was the ultimate team player, and words can’t fully express how deeply he will be missed. His impact on the show, both personally and professionally, was profound and will forever remain unmatched.”
Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Hogestyn originally pursued a career in professional baseball. He was signed by the New York Yankees and played in their farm system until a serious injury in 1977 ended his athletic dreams.
In the early 1980s, Hogestyn landed his first major acting role in the CBS series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He joined Days of Our Lives in 1986 as the mysterious character “The Pawn,” who later became the fan-favorite John Black.
John Black became one-half of one of the most beloved soap opera pairings, alongside Deidre Hall’s Marlena Evans. Their on-screen chemistry won them the Soap Opera Digest Award for Favorite Couple in 2005, cementing their status as a legendary duo in daytime television.
Family and Legacy
Outside of acting, Hogestyn was known for his enduring love for his family. In 1986, he married his childhood sweetheart, Victoria Post. The couple celebrated 37 years of marriage and together raised four children: daughters Whitney, Alexandra, and Rachael, and son Ben. Hogestyn was also a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren.
Tributes from His Co-Stars
Following the news of his passing, Days of Our Lives stars took to social media to share their grief and memories of Hogestyn.
Alison Sweeney, who played Sami Brady, wrote on Instagram, “Drake was an incredible man. He was funny, generous, and thoughtful. He cared about every scene, every person. He loved Days, the fans, and shared that passion with everyone on set. My heart breaks for his family. He was such a huge part of my life at Days. I will miss him terribly and treasure every story, every joke, and every hug.”
Kristian Alfonso, who portrayed Hope Brady, shared, “I’ll always remember you as a loving father, husband, and dear friend, but mostly as an incredible, passionate human being—immensely kind and generous. Thank you for the love you gave us all every day. You were always our hero.”
Christopher Sean, who played Paul Narita, John’s long-lost son on the show, posted a touching tribute on X (formerly Twitter). “You were more than just my TV father. In my eyes, you were my dad. Thank you for everything you taught me and for the love you gave me. The world lost a true hero. Miss and love you so much, Drake. Rest in Peace, Dad.”
Veteran actress Genie Francis added, “So sad to hear of Drake Hogestyn’s passing. Such a wonderful and kind man. It was a pleasure to work with him. I always loved how much he loved his wife and children.”
Drake Hogestyn’s legacy, both on-screen and off, will continue to inspire the millions of fans who loved him as John Black and the colleagues who cherished him as a friend. He leaves behind a lasting impact on the world of daytime television and in the hearts of his loved ones.