Drake Hogestyn portrayed John Black on "Days of our Lives" for nearly 4,300 episodes. (Evans Vestal Ward/Peacock via Getty Images) "He was the most amazing husband, father, papa, and actor.

Hogestyn’s final “Days of Our Lives” episode before his death aired on September 9, 2024. It saw his character share several emotional moments with his on-screen grandson, Tate (Leo Howard). 7 ...

Donald Drake Hogestyn was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., on Sept. 29, ... ’ lower-level minor league teams in 1976 and 1977 before he chipped his right heel on a pier cement block at the beach, ...

When life imitates art. While Drake Hogestyn was dying of pancreatic cancer last year, the “Days of Our Lives” cast and crew filmed his character John Black’s funeral as they prepared to say ...

Soap fans who don’t even watch Days of Our Lives are well aware that the iconic Drake Hogestyn had died in September 2024. The actor, who has played the heroic John Black since 1986, has touched ...

The Love of His Life. Hogestyn married the former Victoria Post in 1986, the same year that Days of Our Lives made him a Pawn on the Salem chessboard. Together, they had four children, three ...

Hogestyn’s costars filmed John’s funeral scene last fall, while Hogestyn was dying offscreen. “Drake, as the consummate storyteller that he is, said, ‘Absolutely.