Days Of Our Lives star Drake Hogestyn passed away at the age of 70 over the weekend. His family shared the heartbreaking news on social media. His former co-stars and other soap stars shared their condolences and memories.
Drake Hogestyn’s Cause of Death
Drake Hogestyn has been a staple of the NBC/Peacock soap opera Days Of Our Lives for nearly 40 years. He joined the show in 1986 as a recast Roman Brady after Wayne Northrup left the role. However, the ‘real’ Roman later came back and Drake’s character became known as John Black with several identities over the years.
But what remained constant was his love affair with Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall.) They were one of the most popular supercouples from the 1980s until even today. The soap community was shocked on Saturday, September 28, when the Hogestyn family revealed that Drake Hogestyn had passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He would have turned 71 on Sunday.
DOOL Missy Reeves & More Mourn Drake Hogestyn
Alison Sweeney, who played Sami Brady for decades, was one of the first to honor her co-star. More tributes have rolled in as the world woke to the heartbreaking news. Melissa Reeves started at DOOL in 1985, a year before Drake Hogestyn joined. While Jennifer Horton and John Black didn’t cross paths often, the two co-stars were still close.
Melissa Reeves is returning to DOOL later this year to take part in the tribute to actor Bill Hayes, who passed away in early 2024. She took to her Instagram to honor the late actor.
“Heartbroken is the condition of our hearts hearing of Drakes passing. Also blessed and grateful to know such a wonderful man. Thank you Drake for your example of professionalism at work for all of us to follow. Thank you for loving your precious Victoria and your children and grandchildren as we watched your family grow.”
The actress revealed that the last text Drake Hogestyn sent her was to remind her to cherish her time with her grandchildren.
Kristian Alfonso (Hope Brady) also took to Instagram to share a tribute to her co-star. “My heart 💔 💔💔….. I’ll always remember you as a Loving , Loving father,husband and Dear friend but mostly an incredible , passionate human being , generous and immensely kind , Always …,” she wrote.
Peter Reckell, who is returning as Bo Brady next year alongside Kristian Alfonso, was at at loss for words. He didn’t make an official statement but reposted several tweets, including one of old clips of Bo and John.
Former Co-Stars React To Heartbreaking News
Many of Drake Hogestyn’s former co-stars also expressed their sadness over the loss. Billy Warlock, who played Frankie on the soap, wrote on Twitter, “I am absolutely shocked and saddened to hear about Drake. Drake was an amazing man and such a stud. The list goes on and on. He was Superman to me. He will be sorely missed.”
Mark Valley, who briefly played Jack Deveraux, wrote, “Drake Hogestyn, actor, icon, former pro baseball player, is gone. I once asked him how his background helped in TV. He said, “Every day, I get to step up to the plate.””
Marlena Evans wasn’t John Black’s only great love. He adored his wife, Isabella Toscano. The character passed away in John’s arms from pancreatic cancer in 1992. Staci Greason is now an author but took to Instagram to share a heartfelt reaction to the sudden passing of her former co-star.
The loss of Drake Hogestyn will be felt for years. How do you think the show will mark the actor’s passing?
