Drake Hogestyn, 1953 – 2024

Soap opera actor Drake Hogestyn, 70, died of pancreatic cancer on Sept. 28. He was best known for his role as the dashing John Black on Days of Our Lives (from 1986-2024). Besides Days, he appeared in such TV and movie vehicles as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Generation, Criminal Minds, and Christmas Tree Lane. Hogestyn loved playing John Black, whom he compared to The Bourne Identity’s hero: “My manager and agent fought me. They did not want me to do daytime. But I said, ‘It’s an amazing character.’ Just the whole idea of this guy who didn’t know who he was. How did he find himself?” Hogestyn’s son Ben Hogestyn is also an actor, appearing on several soaps as well.