‘He was thrown the curve ball of his life,’ family said in a statement
Drake Hogestyn, who played John Black for 38 years on Days of Our Lives, has died at the age of 70.
“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 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.”
“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,” Corday said.
Kassie DePaiva, who played Eve on Days of Our Lives, praised her co-star saying Hogestyn “made the world a better place.”
Alison Sweeney, who portrayed Sami Brady on the soap opera, called Hogestyn “an incredible man.”
Kristian Alfonso, who played Hope Williams Brady on the program, also paid tribute
Alongside Deidre Hall’s Marlena Evans, Hogestyn helped form one of daytime’s most beloved romances.
“We’re the couple that teaches you that people stay together through thick and thin, and they stay loving, and they stay sensual and sexual, and that’s worth fighting for,” she said at the time. “(Fans are) able to suspend the disbelief long enough to really sink into the story.”
“It felt good and usually, it doesn’t feel like that,” Hogestyn said.
“I tested with him because I would’ve been playing with him and when everybody was done — they look at all of the scenes, obviously — and I got called upstairs saying, ‘Okay, we know what we think, what do you think because you’ve got to work with him?’ And everybody was in agreement and it was Drake! Nobody came close to being the kind of figure, and having that sort of magic and chemistry and the male hero attraction. And that was the beginning of it,” Hall added.
Elsewhere in the interview, Hogestyn shared his thoughts as to why audiences had become so attached to the lives of John and Marlena.
“I think John and Marlena epitomize sacrifice to each other and overcoming all of the obstacles that every couple faces every single day. We don’t take that responsibility lightly. I think it’s a good signal to send out there to the audience,” Hogestyn said.
Hogestyn is survived by his childhood sweetheart, Victoria Post, whom he wed in 1986, his four children and seven grandchildren.