If you’ve spent any time in Salem over the last four decades, you know that the name John Black carries a certain weight. He’s the guy with the raised eyebrow, the tactical gear, and a love for "Doc" that basically defines the concept of soap opera "supercouples." But lately, the question of who plays john on days of our lives has taken on a much more somber tone.
For thirty-eight years, that face belonged to one man: Drake Hogestyn.
He wasn't just an actor playing a part; he was the heartbeat of the show. Tragically, the landscape of Days of Our Lives changed forever in late 2024. Drake Hogestyn passed away on September 28, 2024, following a very private but incredibly brave battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 70 years old.
The Man Who Defined John Black
Honestly, it's hard to talk about John Black without talking about Drake's real life. Before he ever stepped onto a soundstage, he was a professional baseball player. He was actually drafted by the New York Yankees! A processing injury ended that dream, but it gave us one of the most iconic daytime television stars in history.
When he first showed up in 1986, he wasn't even John Black. He was "The Pawn," a man covered in bandages with no memory of his past. The mystery of who he was kept fans glued to their screens for years. Was he Roman Brady? Was he a priest? Was he a mercenary?
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Basically, he was whatever the writers needed him to be, but Drake made it work every single time.
Why there isn't a permanent recast
In the soap world, when a lead actor leaves or passes away, the show usually has two choices: recast or write the character out. For a character as massive as John Black, recasting feels almost like sacrilege to the long-term fans.
As of early 2026, there is no permanent actor playing the role of John Black. The show chose to honor Drake’s legacy by writing a beautiful, heart-wrenching exit for the character rather than simply slotting in a new face.
You might have seen a few "placeholders" during the transition. For instance, in early 2025, an actor named Allan Wayne Anderson was used as a "John Double." He was mostly seen from behind or in shadows during a storyline where characters were searching for John in Europe. It was a tactical move by the producers to keep the story moving without pretending someone else could truly "be" Drake.
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How the Show Said Goodbye
The way Days handled Drake’s passing was pretty unique. Because the show tapes so far in advance—sometimes six or seven months—Drake was actually still appearing on screen after he had already passed away in real life. His final filmed appearance aired on September 9, 2024.
In June 2025, the show finally aired John Black’s official funeral and tribute episodes.
The cast has been very vocal about how difficult those days were. Eric Martsolf (who plays Brady Black) and Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans) mentioned in interviews that there was "zero acting" required for those scenes. They weren't just mourning a character; they were mourning a man they had worked with for decades.
- Final Scenes: John's last "live" scene involved him giving advice to his grandson, Tate.
- The Exit Storyline: The writers crafted a story where John died a hero, which felt fitting for a character who had saved Salem about a hundred times over.
- Flashbacks: The tribute episodes utilized decades of archival footage, showing John through all his different identities and his legendary romance with Marlena.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Character
One of the biggest misconceptions for newer viewers is that John Black was always a "good guy."
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He actually started out as a bit of a blank slate with a dangerous edge. He spent years believing he was Roman Brady, only to have the "real" Roman show up and blow his life apart. It’s one of the wildest retcons in soap history. Instead of the character being discarded, the writers invented the identity of "John Black" on the fly, and he became even more popular than he was as Roman.
Another thing? People often think the "raised eyebrow" was a scripted character trait. It wasn't. That was just Drake. He brought so much of his own charisma to the role that the line between the man and the character became incredibly thin.
Is John Black gone for good?
In soaps, "gone" is a relative term. However, out of respect for Drake Hogestyn and his family, it appears the show has no immediate plans to bring the character of John Black back with a new actor.
The focus in 2026 has shifted to how the rest of the family—Marlena, Brady, Belle, and Paul—navigates life without their patriarch. It’s a new era for Salem, one that feels a bit quieter and a lot less "tactical" without John around to save the day.
If you're looking to catch up on those final, powerful moments, the tribute episodes are currently available on Peacock. They are a tough watch, but they perfectly encapsulate why Drake Hogestyn was the only person who could ever truly play John Black.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the Tribute: If you missed the June 2025 episodes, find the "Life and Times of John Black" tribute on Peacock to see the historical highlights of the character.
- Support the Cause: Drake’s family has been active with PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network). Many fans have chosen to donate in his memory to support research for the disease that took him too soon.
- Follow the Legacy: Keep an eye on the storylines for Brady Black and Paul Narita, as the show is currently using their grief to explore new depths for John's sons.