Current:Home > Stocks'Days of Our Lives' icon Drake Hogestyn, beloved as John Black, dies at 70-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
'Days of Our Lives' icon Drake Hogestyn, beloved as John Black, dies at 70
View Date:2024-12-23 16:27:55
Drake Hogestyn, a fixture on the long-running soap opera “Days of Our Lives,” has died at 70.
The actor, who starred as John Black for nearly 40 years, battled pancreatic cancer, his family shared in a statement on the show’s verified Instagram account.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn,” the statement read. “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 peacefully surrounded by loved ones. He was the most amazing husband, father, papa and actor.
“He loved performing for the Days audience and sharing the stage with the greatest cast, crew, and production team in the business. We love him and we will miss him all the Days of our Lives.”
Sign up for our Watch Party newsletter: We deliver the best movie and TV recommendations to your inbox.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Hogestyn would have turned 71 on Sunday. USA TODAY has reached out for more information.
Alison Sweeney, aka Sami Brady, called him “an incredible man,” in her tribute post on X. “He was funny, generous and thoughtful. He cared about every single scene, every person. He loved Days, the fans, and shared that passion with everyone on set,” she wrote. “I will miss him terribly and treasure every story, every joke & every hug.”
Kristian Alfonso (Hope Brady) recalled him as “an incredible, passionate human being, generous and immensely kind,” concluding, “Thank youuuu for the love you gave us all everyday Drake on set and off, you were always our hero.”
Hogestyn, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, began his career as a minor league baseball player until injuries took him out of the game for good. He made his “Days” debut in 1986, playing Black, a police officer, private investigator and secret agent, and half of a soap supercouple with Marlena Evans (played by Deidre Hall).
The actor, a two-time hottest male actor winner in the Soap Opera Digest awards, appeared on the NBC and Peacock soap until his death, taking a short break from the show in the 2000s. He was a regular on the ‘80s TV series “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” and made guest appearances on the shows “Otherworld” and “Criminal Minds.” Most recently, he starred in the 2020 Hallmark movie “Christmas Tree Lane.”
A video was added to this story.
veryGood! (462)
Related
- Zendaya Shares When She Feels Extra Safe With Boyfriend Tom Holland
- Authorities expand search area for killer who escaped Pennsylvania prison after latest sighting
- Alaska couple reunited with cat 26 days after home collapsed into river swollen by glacial outburst
- Fierce storm in southern Brazil kills at least 21 people and displaces more than 1,600
- The Fate of Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager's Today Fourth Hour Revealed
- Diana Ross sings Happy Birthday to Beyoncé during the Los Angeles stop of her Renaissance tour
- Jorge Vilda out. Spain sacks coach amid furor over nonconsensual kiss at World Cup final
- Fan ejected from US Open match after German player said the man used language from Hitler’s regime
- FC Cincinnati player Marco Angulo dies at 22 after injuries from October crash
- Civil rights lawsuit in North Dakota accuses a white supremacist group of racial intimidation
Ranking
- Bohannan requests a recount in Iowa’s close congressional race as GOP wins control of House
- How I learned that creativity and vulnerability go hand in hand
- The next presidential campaign is coming into focus. It might look a lot like the last one.
- Beyond 'Margaritaville': Jimmy Buffett was great storyteller who touched me with his songs
- 5-year-old boy who went missing while parent was napping is found dead near Oregon home, officials say
- Remembering Jimmy Buffett, who spent his life putting joy into the world
- Beyoncé's Los Angeles Renaissance Tour stops bring out Gabrielle Union, Kelly Rowland, more celebs
- Marion Cotillard Is All Of Us Reacting to Those Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner Divorce Rumors
Recommendation
-
Lost luggage? This new Apple feature will let you tell the airline exactly where it is.
-
Mexican pilot dies in plane crash during gender reveal party gone wrong
-
California woman accused in $2 million murder-for-hire plot to kill husband
-
Ancient Roman bust seized from Massachusetts museum in looting probe
-
South Carolina does not set a date for the next execution after requests for a holiday pause
-
The Rolling Stones are making a comeback with first album in 18 years: 'Hackney Diamonds'
-
Spanish soccer federation fires women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda amid Rubiales controversy
-
Complaints over campaign comments by Wisconsin Supreme Court justice are dismissed