Drake Hogestyn, one of the most beloved stars of daytime television, passed away on September 28, 2024, just one day before what would have been his 71st birthday.
His passing left a deep void in the hearts of fans, family, and colleagues, as he was not only a celebrated actor but also a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
His role as John Black on Days of Our Lives cemented his legacy in the world of soap operas, and his journey through life was nothing short of extraordinary.
A Heartfelt Goodbye
In a statement shared by the Days of Our Lives family, the Hogestyn family expressed their grief and love for Drake:
“It’s 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 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.”
The loss was felt not only by his family but by the entire Days of Our Lives cast and crew. Executive Producer Ken Corday reflected on Drake’s impact, saying, “This is a very difficult one for all of us. 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.”
From Athlete to Actor: The Early Years
Born as Donald Drake Hogestyn on September 29, 1953, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Drake’s path to fame wasn’t always set in stone. As a young man, he had a passion for sports, particularly baseball. After high school, he earned a baseball scholarship to attend the University of South Florida. His academic focus wasn’t on acting, however; he was a pre-dentistry major, studying microbiology and applied sciences, with plans to become an oral surgeon. Yet, life had different plans for him.
Upon graduating from college, Drake was drafted by two Major League Baseball teams—the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees. He chose to sign with the Yankees and played third base for their farm team in Oneonta, New York. His dream of a professional baseball career was in full swing, but fate intervened in 1977 when an injury forced him to retire from the sport he loved. Although his baseball career ended prematurely, it opened the door to a completely new chapter in his life.
A Leap Into Hollywood
After his baseball career ended, Drake didn’t wallow in defeat. Instead, he took a chance on a new dream and entered a nationwide talent search organized by Columbia Pictures. Out of 75,000 contestants, Drake was one of just 30 actors selected to take part in the studio’s acting training program. With his determination renewed, he packed his bags and headed to Los Angeles, ready to embark on a new adventure.
Drake made his television debut in the 1982 series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, where he played Ben McFadden, one of the seven McFadden brothers. His co-star in the series was Richard Dean Anderson, who had just made his own mark on the soap opera world with his role as Jeff Webber on General Hospital. Although Seven Brides for Seven Brothers only lasted for one season, it served as Drake’s springboard into the entertainment industry.
Following that, Drake appeared in various other roles on prime-time television, including CBS’s short-lived sci-fi series Otherworld in 1985. In 1984, he auditioned for the role of Kyle Sampson on Guiding Light, but the part went to Larkin Malloy. Little did Drake know that his next audition would change the course of his career forever.
The Audition That Changed Everything
In 1985, Drake was invited to audition for Days of Our Lives. However, his heart wasn’t fully in it at first. He was already focused on his future wife, Victoria, who was back in Indiana. He had made up his mind that the Days audition would be his last, and he planned to return home afterward. As he recalled in a 2015 interview with Soap Opera Digest, “I had begun courting Victoria and I was flying back to Fort Wayne and Days was my last audition, as far as I was concerned.”
At first, he wasn’t particularly excited about the opportunity. But when he arrived at the studio for the audition, something changed. He remembered thinking, “What kind of attitude is that? Let’s get this over with?” He decided to give it one more shot, telling himself to “give ’em hell.” And that’s exactly what he did.
During the audition, Drake had a surprising realization. As casting director Doris Sabbagh described the character, Drake pulled out his copy of The Bourne Identity and asked, “Doris, are you talking about Jason Bourne?” She responded, “Yes, but we’re calling him John Black! It’s only going to last a couple of months, through sweeps period, and then you’ll be free to do what you want to do.”
Little did he know that this “temporary” role would become one of the most iconic characters in daytime television history. Drake made his debut as John Black on January 24, 1986, and quickly became a fan favorite.
Becoming John Black: An Iconic Role
At first, the character of John Black was supposed to be short-lived. Introduced as “The Pawn,” John’s storyline was meant to be temporary. But Drake’s undeniable chemistry with Deidre Hall, who played Marlena Evans, led to a change in plans. Their on-screen dynamic was so electric that the show’s writers couldn’t bring themselves to end John’s story. Instead, they revealed that John Black was actually Marlena’s presumed-dead husband, Roman Brady, a beloved character originally played by Wayne Northrop.
Drake’s portrayal of John Black captivated audiences, and his connection with Deidre Hall made their characters one of the most iconic couples in soap opera history. Their chemistry was undeniable from the beginning, and Deidre herself recalled the screen test with Drake. In a 2022 interview on Dishing with Digest, she said, “Drake came in to audition/screen test, I guess. I had agreed to test with everybody… And they said, ‘What do you think?’ And I said, ‘I don’t think there’s any contest… I think it’s Drake. He’s got everything you need. He’s got a strength and a masculinity but a sexiness.’” From that moment on, Drake was hired for what would become a decades-long journey with Days of Our Lives.
A True Soap Opera Legend
Drake’s time on Days wasn’t just about professional success. During his years on the show, his personal life flourished as well. He married Victoria, his high school sweetheart, and together they raised four children: daughters Whitney, Alexandra, and Rachael, and son Ben. Ben even followed in his father’s footsteps for a time, appearing on General Hospital as Lucas Jones.
Drake’s role as John Black went through several transformations over the years. After Deidre Hall’s departure from Days in 1987, John Black’s storylines shifted, and he found new love interests on the show. He had notable pairings with characters like Diana Colville, played by Genie Francis, and Isabella Toscano, played by Staci Greason. Both actresses fondly remembered their time working with Drake, with Francis calling him “adorable and funny” and Greason saying that Drake “really took me under his wing.”
In 1991, both Hall and Wayne Northrop returned to Days, and Drake resumed his role as John Black, leaving the character of Roman Brady behind. It was a return that fans had eagerly awaited, and it marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career. Drake embraced the opportunity, feeling a sense of fair play in allowing Wayne Northrop to reclaim the character he had originally created.
Challenges and Triumphs
Like any long-running soap opera star, Drake experienced ups and downs throughout his career. In 2009, both he and Deidre Hall were let go from Days due to budget cuts. It was a tough time, but Drake remained optimistic. Two years later, in 2011, the show brought them back, and Drake was welcomed with open arms by fans and colleagues alike.
Drake also faced personal challenges, including a serious brain injury in 2016 that kept him off the show for several months. When he returned to work in 2017, he reflected on the ups and downs of life, both on and off the screen. He told Soap Opera Digest, “We not only have our real life, but we come here and have another life, and it’s really, really unusual… It’s a great way to go through life.”
A Lasting Legacy
Drake Hogestyn’s impact on the world of daytime television is undeniable. His portrayal of John Black touched the lives of millions of viewers, and his dedication to his craft earned him the respect and admiration of his peers. But beyond his professional success, Drake will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather who cherished his family above all else.
Drake is survived by his wife, Victoria, their four children—Rachael, Ben, Whitney, Alexandra—and their partners, as well as seven grandchildren. His legacy will live on not just through his work on Days of Our Lives but also through the love and memories he created with his family.
A Fond Farewell
As the world says goodbye to Drake Hogestyn, his presence will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him. His contribution to the world of entertainment is immeasurable, and his portrayal of John Black will forever remain an iconic part of television history. But more than that, Drake will be remembered for the kindness, love, and laughter he brought to those around him.
As his family beautifully put it: “We love him and we will miss him all the Days of our Lives.”
In a world where legends are few and far between, Drake Hogestyn’s legacy stands tall, a testament to the strength of his character both on and off the screen.