Days of our Lives Star Drake Hogestyn Has Died at 70

Beloved for his iconic role as John Black on *Days of Our Lives*, Drake Hogestyn has passed away at the age of 70.

In Memoriam: Drake Hogestyn

A spokesperson for *Days of Our Lives* shared the heartbreaking news: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. His family has provided the following statement, and no further details will be shared at this time.”

The Hogestyn family’s statement reads:
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Drake Hogestyn. He was dealt the hardest blow when diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, yet he faced it with extraordinary strength and courage. Despite fighting valiantly, he passed away peacefully, surrounded by those he loved most.

Drake was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, and actor. He cherished performing for the *Days* audience and felt honored to share the stage with such an outstanding cast, crew, and production team.

We love him dearly, and we will miss him for all the Days of our Lives.”
— *The Hogestyn Family*

 

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Executive Producer Ken Corday shared his heartfelt sentiments, saying, “This is an incredibly difficult loss for all of us. Hogey was the ultimate team player, and words can’t fully capture how much he will be missed. His influence on our show, both personally and professionally, was profound and will remain unmatched forever.”

Donald Drake Hogestyn was born on September 29, 1953, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He attended North Side High School and later pursued higher education at the University of South Florida on a baseball scholarship. There, he majored in pre-dentistry with a double major in microbiology and applied sciences.

A talented athlete, Hogestyn was drafted by both the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees. He played third base for the Yankees’ farm team until an injury ended his baseball career in 1977. This twist of fate led him to acting, where he participated in a Columbia Pictures talent search out of 75,000 hopefuls. Hogestyn was one of the 30 finalists selected, eventually landing his first major role in the nighttime drama *Seven Brides for Seven Brothers*.

In 1986, Drake Hogestyn joined *Days of Our Lives* as the mysterious John Black, a character shrouded in more intrigue and questions about his past than perhaps any other in daytime television. Initially introduced as “The Pawn,” John’s enigmatic beginnings became one of the most compelling storylines in soap history, a mystery that was recently revisited on the show.

Eventually, it was revealed that the mysterious Pawn was believed to be the presumed-dead Roman Brady (originally portrayed by Wayne Northrup). This revelation led to a heartwarming reunion with Marlena, culminating in a grand wedding ceremony. However, in 1991, when Northrup returned to the show, it was discovered that Hogestyn’s character was not, in fact, the son of Shawn (Frank Parker) and Caroline (Peggy McCay). Upon learning he wasn’t truly Roman, Marlena’s love chose to reclaim the name John, beginning a new chapter in his story.

No matter what challenges stood between John and Marlena, their portrayers always portrayed those obstacles as part of an enduring love story. Whether they were facing off against Kristen (then Eileen Davidson, now Stacy Haiduk), Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis), Stefano (Joe Mascolo), or even the mistaken belief that Marlena was a killer (she wasn’t), John’s unwavering love for Marlena—and hers for him—remained steadfast. Through every trial, their love never faltered, and they’ve never stopped showing their deep affection for one another.

John and Marlena initially tried to resist their feelings for each other, but despite Roman’s return, Marlena couldn’t deny her growing attraction to John. Their love led to an affair while she was still married to Roman, resulting in the birth of their daughter, Belle (Martha Madison). In the mid to late ’90s, the couple was torn apart by Kristen’s manipulations and even Satan himself! John’s past as a priest proved useful when a possessed Marlena began levitating and needed an exorcism.

By 1999, free from both Kristen and the demonic possession, John and Marlena were married once again. However, new challenges soon emerged, including Princess Gina and the Salem Serial Killer. John was killed off in 2007 but was later resurrected, and both Hogestyn and Deidre Hall left *Days* in 2008, only to make a triumphant return in 2011.

Reflecting on their enduring love, Hogestyn told *Soap Hub* in 2022, as the show transitioned from NBC to Peacock: “I think the audience that has watched for a while knows that romance doesn’t die after 45. There’s still a passion there, in a more mature and deeper way. Snow on the roof, fire in the furnace. It’s the bonding of two people. It’s what people want to see.”

Hogestyn’s additional acting credits include appearances on *Criminal Minds* and the TV movie *Christmas Tree Lane*.

Drake Hogestyn is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Victoria, their four children—Whitney, Alexandra, Rachael, and Ben (formerly Lucas on *General Hospital*)—as well as four grandchildren. As *Days of Our Lives* films months in advance, fans can expect to see Hogestyn on screen for some time to come.