‘Days of our Lives’ veteran actor dies of pancreatic cancer

Days of our Lives actor Drake Hogestyn has died, a day before what would have been his 71st birthday.

The family of the longtime soap star, who had appeared in nearly 4,300 episodes, shared a statement on the show’s social media on Saturday evening.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. He was hit with the curve ball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he rose to the challenge with incredible strength and determination. After an incredible fight delivered, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.”

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Drake Hogestyn played John Black on “Days of our Lives” for nearly 4,300 episodes. (Evans Vestal Ward/Peacock via Getty Images)

“He was the most wonderful husband, father, daddy and actor. He loved performing for the Days audience and sharing the stage with the best cast, crew and production team in the business,” the family wrote.

Deidre Hall as Marlena Evans and Drake Hogestyn as John Black were a power couple on television for decades. (Evans Vestal Ward/Peacock/NBCU photo bank via Getty Images)

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Hogestyn took on the role of John Black – an undercover agent for a fictional intelligence unit – in 1986. His character attracted interest because of the dramatic backstory; Black was actually Roman Brady (played by Wayne Northrop), who had died on the show two years earlier. After plastic surgery and memory loss, he reappeared as a new man. He and Deirdre Hall got married on the show and were one of the most loved couples on television.

The actor briefly left ‘Days of our Lives’ in 2009, but returned in 2011.

Several current and former costars of Hogestyn mourned the actor. Alison Sweeney, who left the program in 2022, shared her heartbreak on X, writing in part, “(Drake) cared about every scene, every person.”

His TV son, Christopher Sean, called Hogestyn a “real hero.”

His TV daughter, Martha Madison, wrote a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.

“One of my favorite memories of Drake is from not too long ago,” she wrote in part. “He knew I was super nervous as I prepared to deliver a five-page deathbed monologue, and after we finished the scene (both drenched in tears and snot), he gave me a huge hug and whispered, ‘Boy, that’s how it was.’ moment when you hear the crack of the bat against a long ball flying into the stands and the crowd goes wild.'”

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Australian actor Dan Feuerriegel, who only joined the series in 2021, noted how welcoming the veteran actor was on set.

Mary Beth Evans and Drake Hogestyn attend the 50th Daytime Emmy Awards in December 2023. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Hogestyn is survived by his childhood sweetheart Victoria and their four children, as well as grandchildren.