Days of Our Lives Star Lifeless at 70

Drake Hogestyn, the beloved Days of Our Lives star who performed John Black for 38 years, has died. He was 70.

The actor was simply at some point shy of his 71st birthday when he died on Sept. 28, 2024, PEOPLE confirms.

The favored cleaning soap opera shared a press release from the actor’s household on social media.

“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn,” it reads. “He was thrown the curve ball of his life when he was recognized with pancreatic most cancers, however he confronted the problem with unimaginable power and willpower. After placing up an unbelievable struggle, he handed peacefully surrounded by family members.”

The assertion continues: “He was probably the most superb husband, father, papa and actor. He cherished performing for the ‘Days’ viewers and sharing the stage with the best forged, crew, and manufacturing staff within the enterprise. We love him and we are going to miss him all of the Days of our Lives.”

The message was signed, “The Hogestyn household.”

“This can be a very tough one for all of us,” Days of Our Lives govt producer Ken Corday mentioned in a press release to PEOPLE. “Hogey was the final word staff participant and there aren’t enough phrases to specific how deeply he shall be missed. His impression on our present, personally and professionally, was profound and can without end stay unmatched.”

Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Hogestyn initially sought a profession as knowledgeable baseball participant, even signing with the New York Yankees and taking part in for one in all their farm groups till he was injured in 1977.

Hogestyn’s first huge function got here within the early Eighties within the CBS sequence Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He initially joined Days of Our Lives in 1986 as a mysterious character often known as “The Pawn” earlier than changing into a fan favourite as John Black.

John grew to become one-half of a number of beloved pairings through the years, however few have been extra well-liked than his reference to Marlena Evans, performed by Deidre Corridor. Collectively, they received a Cleaning soap Opera Digest Award for Favourite Couple in 2005.

Hogestyn wasn’t simply recognized for his long-running function although. He and his childhood sweetheart, Victoria Submit, wed in 1986 and remained married for 37 years. They welcomed 4 kids — daughters Whitney, Alexandra and Rachael, and son, Ben — and have seven grandchildren.

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The actor’s DOOL costars have been fast to take to social media to share their recollections.

“Drake was an unimaginable man,” Alison Sweeney wrote on Instagram. “He was humorous, beneficiant and considerate. He cared about each single scene, each particular person. He cherished Days, the followers, and shared that keenness with everybody on set. My coronary heart breaks for his household, they meant all the things to him. He was such an enormous a part of my life at Days. I’ll miss him terribly and treasure each story, each joke & each hug.”

Kristian Alfonso wrote, “I’ll all the time bear in mind you as a Loving, Loving father, husband and Pricey buddy however principally an unimaginable, passionate human being, beneficiant and immensely sort, All the time …… Thank youuuu for the love you gave us all on a regular basis Drake on set and off you have been all the time our hero.”

Christopher Sean, who performed John’s illegitimate son Paul Narita, wrote a touching tribute on X alongside a photograph from the present of John and Paul hugging.

“I’ll all the time love you,” he mentioned. “You have been extra than simply my television father, in my eyes you have been my dad. Thanks for all the things you taught me and the love you gave me. The world misplaced a real Hero. Miss and love you a lot Drake. Relaxation in Peace Dad.”

Genie Francis famous, “So unhappy to listen to of Drake Hogestyn’s passing. Such a beautiful and type man. It was a pleasure to work with him. I all the time cherished how a lot he cherished his spouse and kids.”