The news hit like a physical weight. On September 28, 2024, the world of daytime television lost a pillar when Drake Hogestyn, the man who breathed life into the iconic John Black on Days of Our Lives, passed away. He was 70. It wasn't just another celebrity passing; for people who grew up with the flickering glow of a TV set in the mid-afternoon, it felt like losing a family member.
Honestly, soap operas are weird like that. You see these faces every day for decades. Hogestyn played John Black for 38 years. Think about that for a second. That is nearly four decades of weddings, amnesia plots, demonic possessions (yes, really), and slow-burn romances that defined the genre. When the death of a soap star like Hogestyn occurs, it triggers a very specific kind of collective grief that mainstream media often underestimates.
What Happened to Drake Hogestyn?
The family’s statement was brief but heavy. He died after a "courageous battle with pancreatic cancer." That’s a phrase we hear a lot, but it never gets easier to digest. Pancreatic cancer is notoriously aggressive. He was just two days shy of his 71st birthday.
He died surrounded by his family. That’s the small mercy in these situations, isn't it? The man who spent his career navigating the most chaotic, fictional family dramas imaginable ended his journey in a room full of real, quiet love.
A Career That Almost Didn't Happen
Did you know he was a pro baseball player first? Seriously. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees. He was a center fielder in the Yankees organization until an injury sidelined him in 1978. If his arm hadn't given out, we might never have known John Black.
He entered the show in 1986 as "The Pawn." He didn't have a name. He didn't have a past. He was a blank slate wrapped in bandages. Eventually, the writers decided he was Roman Brady (a classic soap recast), but later they retconned that and turned him into the enigmatic John Black. It’s the kind of convoluted storytelling that only works because Hogestyn had the charisma to anchor it. He made the ridiculous feel grounded.
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The John and Marlena Legacy
You can’t talk about the death of soap star Drake Hogestyn without talking about Deidre Hall. Their onscreen partnership as John and Marlena ("Jarlena" to the fans) is arguably the greatest romance in daytime history.
They had "it." That unteachable chemistry.
When Marlena was possessed by the devil in the mid-90s—a plotline that people still talk about today—it was Hogestyn’s performance as the desperate, devout husband that sold the absurdity of it all. He played the hero, but he played it with a certain rugged vulnerability. He wasn't a porcelain doll; he was a guy who looked like he could handle a baseball bat or a spiritual exorcism with equal ease.
Why We Care So Much
People love to make fun of soap operas. They call them "mommie's stories" or "trash TV." But those people are missing the point entirely.
Soap stars are the most consistent presence in many people's lives. Politicians change. Sports teams move cities. Your own neighbors might move away. But John Black was there at 1:00 PM (or whenever your local station aired Days) for 38 years. He was there during the summers when you were home from school. He was there when you were home sick from work. He was there for your grandmother.
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When a performer like Hogestyn dies, it’s a timestamp. It’s a reminder of all the years you spent watching him.
The Industry Reaction
The tributes weren't just "PR talk." They were raw.
Ken Corday, the executive producer of Days, called it a "herculean loss." Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady) posted about how much he taught her when she was just a kid on set. The consensus was clear: he was the "nice guy" everyone hoped he would be. In an industry often plagued by egos, Hogestyn was apparently the guy who knew every crew member's name and showed up with a smile even after twelve-hour shoot days.
The Reality of Pancreatic Cancer in Celebs
Hogestyn’s death brings a spotlight back to a disease that has claimed so many greats—Patrick Swayze, Alex Trebek, Steve Jobs.
Pancreatic cancer is a beast. It’s hard to detect early because the symptoms—back pain, slight weight loss, jaundice—are often mistaken for less serious issues. By the time it’s found, it’s often too late for surgery. Hogestyn kept his battle private. He didn't want the story to be about his illness; he wanted to keep working. And he did, right up until his health made it impossible.
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Moving Forward Without a Legend
What happens to Days of Our Lives now?
The show has already aired some of his final scenes. Because soaps tape months in advance, there is always this bittersweet lag where the audience knows the actor is gone, but the character is still walking and talking on screen. It’s eerie. It’s heartbreaking.
The writers have the monumental task of writing John Black out. You don't just "recast" a man who played a role for nearly 40 years. You give him a hero's exit. You give the fans a chance to cry one last time.
How to Process the Loss of a Long-Term Screen Presence
If you find yourself genuinely upset about the death of a soap star, don't let anyone tell you it's "just TV." Para-social relationships are real. Here is how to handle the "soap opera grief" cycle:
- Watch the tribute episodes. Most shows will air a dedicated memorial episode. Watch it. Cry. It’s okay.
- Connect with the community. Jump on X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook groups. Sharing memories of favorite storylines with other fans helps bridge the gap between "fictional character" and "real loss."
- Donate in his honor. Hogestyn’s family has often supported various charities. Finding a pancreatic cancer research fund to support is a tangible way to turn grief into action.
- Revisit the classics. YouTube is a goldmine for 80s and 90s Days clips. Go back and watch the "Pawn" storyline or the first time John and Marlena danced.
The legacy of Drake Hogestyn isn't just a list of credits on IMDb. It's the millions of living rooms he was invited into every single day. He was a ballplayer who became a king of daytime, a husband who stayed married to the same woman (Victoria Post) for 37 years in real life, and a man who fought a brutal disease with the same quiet dignity he brought to his craft.
The hourglass on the Days of Our Lives intro keeps turning, but it feels a little emptier today.
Actionable Insight for Fans: To honor Drake Hogestyn’s memory and help combat the disease that took him, consider supporting organizations like the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). Early detection research is the only way to change the survival statistics for this specific cancer. If you or a loved one are experiencing persistent, unexplained abdominal pain or digestive issues, consult a specialist immediately for a screening. Awareness is the best tribute we can offer.