Drake Hogestyn, renowned for portraying John Black on the soap opera “Days of Our Lives” for over three decades, passed away at the age of 70 on September 28, 2024. Hogestyn battled pancreatic cancer courageously for the past year before succumbing to the disease just one day before his 71st birthday. He played the role of John Black from 1986 until his death, acting in over 4,200 episodes over 38 years.
The news was shared through a statement from Hogestyn’s family on the official social media accounts of “Days of Our Lives.” They said Hogestyn “faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination.” Ken Corday, executive producer of the show, said “Hogey was the ultimate team player and there are not sufficient words to express how deeply he will be missed. His impact on our show, personally and professionally, was profound and will forever remain unmatched.”
Hogestyn initially pursued a career in baseball after graduating from university with a degree related to oral surgery. He was even drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees but had to give up the sport due to an injury in 1977. This led him to pursue acting and he enrolled in Columbia Pictures’ training program after being selected among 75,000 applicants in a nationwide talent search. His first TV role was in the 1982 series “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”
Hogestyn’s role on “Days of Our Lives” defined his career over the following decades. Despite a brief hiatus from the show from 2009-2011, he returned and continued playing John Black until his death. Colleague Nancy Lee Grahn from “General Hospital” paid tribute on social media, calling Hogestyn “a lovely, lovely gracious man.” His family emphasized his dedication to both his craft and loved ones, saying he “loved performing for the ‘Days’ audience.”
