Drake Hogestyn, Longtime Star of 'Days of Our Lives,' Dies at 70

Drake Hogestyn at the 50th anniversary celebration of “Days Of Our Lives”Photo byVivien Killilea/Getty Images for Days of Our Lives

Drake Hogestyn, best known for his nearly four-decade portrayal of John Black on the long-running soap opera "Days of Our Lives," passed away on Saturday, just one day before his 71st birthday. The actor had been battling pancreatic cancer, according to a family statement shared by the show. His death occurred in Los Angeles, as confirmed by the show's publicist, Andrea McKinnon.

Hogestyn made his first appearance on "Days of Our Lives" in 1986, a series that premiered in 1965 and is set in the fictional town of Salem. Initially, he played Roman Brady for a few years, but it was his role as John Black that earned him the most recognition. Over the years, Hogestyn appeared in more than 4,200 episodes, captivating fans with his portrayal of the rugged, heroic character who worked as a spy, private investigator, and mercenary.

John Black's relationship with Dr. Marlena Evans, a psychiatrist played by Deidre Hall, was central to the show. The on-screen couple's romance won them the Soap Opera Digest Award for Favorite Couple in 2005. Hogestyn himself once remarked on the enduring love between their characters, saying, "It’s, like, I’ll always love her."

Born Donald Drake Hogestyn in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on September 29, 1953, Hogestyn initially dreamed of playing professional baseball for the New York Yankees. He attended the University of South Florida on a baseball scholarship, majoring in microbiology and applied sciences. After graduating, he was drafted by both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Yankees, playing in the Yankees' minor league teams. However, his baseball career ended in 1977 after he injured his heel, leading him to pursue acting instead.

Hogestyn's portrayal of John Black was so iconic that he survived multiple character changes and budget cuts. Though his character was written out in 2009, he and Hall returned in 2011. Hogestyn remained a key part of "Days of Our Lives" through its transition to Peacock streaming in 2022, with his most recent appearance in June 2023.

In addition to his work on the soap opera, Hogestyn appeared in other TV projects, including the musical series "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and TV movies like "Beverly Hills Cowgirl Blues" (1985), "Generation" (1985), and "One Stormy Night" (1992).

Hogestyn is survived by his wife, Victoria, their four children—Rachael, Ben, Whitney, and Alexandra—and seven grandchildren.