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‘Days of Our Lives’ veteran Drake Hogestyn dies at 70

BBG News

As a dedicated fan of “Days of Our Lives” for as long as I can remember, Drake Hogestyn’s passing feels like losing a cherished member of my own family. For nearly four decades, John Black has been an integral part of the soap opera’s rich tapestry, and Drake’s portrayal of him was nothing short of iconic.

On a regrettable Saturday morning, the veteran actor, Drake Hogestyn, known for his portrayal of the enigmatic and valiant character John Black in “Days of Our Lives” for almost four decades, passed away at the age of 70.

The person, resident of Los Angeles, passed away just a day before turning 71 after fighting a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer. A family announcement about his demise was shared on the Instagram account of the well-established daytime drama series.

Following a remarkable struggle, he passed away serenely among his cherished ones, as stated. He was an exceptional husband, father, grandfather, and actor. He found joy in entertaining the ‘Days’ audience and collaborating with the finest cast, crew, and production team in the industry. We adore him and will miss him every day on Days of our Lives.

Hogestyn, born on September 29, 1953, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, began his acting career with appearances in television shows like “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” and made-for-TV movies such as “Generation” and “Beverly Hills Cowgirl Blues.

Initially, he made his debut on “Days of Our Lives” on January 24, 1986, and subsequently built a lasting narrative as one of the show’s beloved characters. Playing John Black, over approximately 4,200 episodes, Hogestyn portrayed a spy, mercenary, police officer, private investigator, and covert agent. Throughout this journey, he was wounded multiple times, survived being shot, stabbed, paralyzed, ejected from a submarine, trapped in a gas chamber, pursued by a serial killer, assaulted by Satan, and miraculously returned to life after apparent death – all the while, his iconic eyebrow arch conveyed the appropriate emotion amidst the turmoil.

Together with Diedre Hall portraying Marlena Evans, Hogestyn played a significant role in shaping one of daytime television’s dearest romances, often fondly referred to as “Jarlena.

On social media, Alison Sweeney – a fellow cast member from “Days of Our Lives” where she portrayed Sami Brady – shared her tribute to the deceased actor, who was part of our soap opera family.

She penned down that Drake was truly remarkable. His humor, generosity, and thoughtfulness were noteworthy traits. He showed genuine concern for each scene and individual involved. Not only did he cherish ‘Days,’ his fanbase, but he also passionately conveyed this love to everyone on the set.

Kristin Alfonso, renowned for her role as Hope Brady in the soap opera, commended Hogestyn as an “affectionate father, spouse, and cherished companion.

He is survived by his wife Victoria Post, as well as their four children and seven grandchildren.

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2024-09-29 22:31

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