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Days of Our Lives actor Drake Hogestyn, who played John Black for many years dies after a battle with pancreatic cancer his family revealed in a death notice. The actor rendered his role on the long-running show for 38 years, living through many transformations as his onscreen character evolved. Through that, he built a legacy for himself as a fan-favorite on the soap opera, becoming a household name for decades.
On Saturday, Drake Hogestyn’s family shared the heartbreaking news of his death from pancreatic cancer in a statement posted on Days of Our Lives official Instagram account. While the family did not confirm how long he battled the ailment, they made sure to establish that he put up an unbelievable fight. The statement read,
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. He was thrown the curve ball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination.After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.”
The statement went on to describe the late icon as an amazing “husband, papa, and actor.” They referenced his run on DOOL, reiterating how much he loved performing for viewers, alongside his cast, and crew members. Drake Hogestyn’s family concluded the statement announcing his death by noting they would miss him “all the Days of Our Lives,” a subtle reference to his iconic soap opera. The actor, who had been married to his childhood sweetheart Victoria Post since 1986, was 70 and a day short of turning 71.
Soap World and Days Of Our Lives Co-Stars Pay Tribute to Drake Hogestyn
Several friends and costars have since taken to social media to mourn Drake’s loss with heartfelt tributes dedicated to him. Actress Alison Sweeney described him as “funny, generous and thoughtful,” also acknowledging his significance to her life on DOOL. Christopher Sean, who portrayed Paul Nitra, John Black’s illegitimate son on the show, also shared a touching farewell message to his TV dad, declaring how much he loved him. Co-star Kristian Alfonso also penned a tribute to Drake, remembering him as a loving father, husband, and dear friend, while also describing him as “our hero.”
On the Daytime soap opera, Drake Hogestyn played John Black, a major character with a complicated persona. Through his transformation from mercenary to a priest and even a thief, the character somehow managed to emerge the hero, becoming a indispensable character throughout his 38-year run that began in 1986.
Drake Took a Break From DOOL as He Battled Pancreatic Cancer
Back in June, rumors of his exit from DOOL after a decades-long stint ran wild following an iconic episode that ended with his character deciding to go into exile in Greece to find closure. This led to speculations that Drake was leaving Days of Our Lives for good.
While that wasn’t exactly a clean cut, the actor has been notably absent from the show since then, save for a few references to him in phone calls, conversations, and the worrying bloodied letter found on Catharina’s grave (supposedly penned by him). Although insiders confirmed his exit from the show was unlikely since his contract hadn’t expired, his absence did not go unnoticed, with fans convinced something wasn’t right. Now the answer is glaring.
Turns out Drake had some real-life battles going on, and needed time off to focus on his health. With the news of Drake Hogestyn’s shocking death from Pancreatic cancer hitting the world, it’s left to see how the show writes him off, especially after setting the stage with the mysterious bloody note. One thing’s certain though, the show would have a hard time filling those shoes.
