Soap Opera
2 Years Ago Today, ‘Days of our Lives’ Lost a Beloved Legend Fans Will Never Forget
Two years after Drake Hogestyn’s passing, ‘Days of our Lives’ fans honor the John Black star who battled pancreatic cancer and worked until his final days.
It’s been two years since the soap opera world bid farewell to Drake Hogestyn, the beloved star who had been bringing John Black to life on Days of our Lives since 1986. Hogestyn passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer on September 28, 2024, one day shy of his 70th birthday.
Hogestyn joined the cast of DAYS in 1986 as a character known as “The Pawn,” but he was eventually revealed to be Roman Brady. He lived as Roman for several years before learning he was not Roman and assumed the name John Black, a name he had used briefly in the past. Hogestyn’s earlier career in minor league baseball ended, leading him to try his hand in Hollywood. After a brief role on Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in 1982, Hogestyn became a DAYS favorite, who entertained fans for nearly 40 years, per Soap Opera Digest.
Hogestyn was beloved by fans and costars alike, a consummate professional who worked through cancer treatments and always kept a positive attitude.
“[Executive Producer] Ken [Corday] said, ‘I will do anything. What do you want?'” Hogestyn’s longtime leading lady Deidre Hall told People earlier this year. “And Drake wanted to keep working, and so he said, ‘Then that’s what you’ll do.’ And they put him in turtlenecks and bulky sweaters and anything to kind of help him look fine, and he worked right up until he couldn’t.”
As legions of DAYS fans marked the anniversary of Hogestyn’s passing, they took to social media to post tributes of the late star.
“Hard to believe that 2 years have passed since we lost #Days legend Drake Hogestyn,” one DAYS superfan wrote on X, accompanied by a video slideshow of his work. “While he is deeply missed, he will always be remembered by the fans. His light may no longer shine on our screens but it lives on in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to witness his work.”
“Two years ago today, Salem lost its hero,” another fan wrote, summing up the sentiments of many. “Thank you, Drake Hogestyn, for the decades of magic you gave us on #Days and for all the lives you touched. The world hasn’t been the same without you, but you will remain forever in our hearts.”
