'Days of Our Lives' star Drake Hogestyn (70) dies of pancreatic cancer

'Days of Our Lives' star Drake Hogestyn dies at 70
29 Sep 2024

Drake Hogestyn, the actor we all loved as John Black on Days of Our Lives, has sadly passed away at 70.

His family shared the heartbreaking news, confirming he died from pancreatic cancer in a statement on the soap opera's Instagram page.

They called him an "amazing husband, father, papa, and actor" who "loved performing for the Days... audience."

Hogestyn's remarkable career and legacy
Career highlights

Hogestyn first appeared on Days of Our Lives on January 24, 1986.

His character, John Black—a spy, mercenary, police officer, private investigator, and secret agent—quickly became a household name.

He appeared in over 4,200 episodes of the NBC soap opera.

His on-screen romance with Deidre Hall's Marlena Evans is still considered one of daytime TV's most iconic love stories.

Tributes poured in for the beloved actor
Industry mourning

Kassie DePaiva, Hogestyn's co-star on Days of Our Lives, expressed her grief on social media, describing him as "one of the kindest people" she had ever worked with.

Ken Corday, the executive producer of the show, also paid tribute to Hogestyn's profound impact on their show.

Other actors from daytime dramas remembered him as an "incredible man" who cared deeply about his work.

Hogestyn's early life and journey to stardom
Personal background

Born on September 29, 1953, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Hogestyn kicked things off with a baseball career.

He was on a baseball scholarship in college and even caught the eye of two Major League Baseball teams—the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees.

But then, in 1977, an injury ended his baseball dreams early and pushed him into the world of entertainment.