Drake Hogestyn, renowned for his iconic portrayal of John Black on Days of Our Lives, has passed away at the age of 70 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The sad news came just one day before his 71st birthday on September 29th. The soap community is deeply affected by this loss, as Hogestyn was a cherished favorite among fans. Following this devastating news, numerous soap stars are honoring his legacy with heartfelt tributes on social media, remembering the actor who became a household name during his remarkable decades-long run on the show.
Tributes to Drake Hogestyn:
Lauren Koslow (Kate): Good-night, sweet prince;
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
Drake,
We will miss you forever and a day .
We -friends,cast mates , crew & loyal fans , anyone who crossed your path – were touched by your joyful & passionate zest for life. Your courage. Your compassion.
We admired your deep respect for your craft . We appreciated your leadership during hectic times.
We saw your fulfillment in your abounding love & devotion for your beautiful Victoria , your children & family .
Our hero on and off screen , a man’s man, a woman’s friend,
You lit up every space with your presence, your laughter , positivity, & undeniable beauty …. And of course , your unparalleled storytelling.
You shared your grace, kind heart , professionalism & passion for your art with us all and we are all better for it
Sharing the stage with you was an honor & delight . definitely some of my favorite scenes EVER …
Lastly thank you for all the gardening advice, horse & dog stories, kids & grand baby chats and the best ,deep down the rabbit hole kind of conversations that will stay with me forever .❤️💔❤️💔🥰 Blessed to know you, my friend
Victor Alfieri (Franco Kelly): One of the nicest Human being I’ve met on a set ❤️❤️rest in peace Drake.
Greg Vaughan (Eric): This was our last time together, giving a set tour of Days of Our Lives to family and friends of mine. And a few of our final messages. Drake was more than just a family man; he always made time for anyone & everyone! He was a wonderful storyteller, and most importantly, a loving and caring person. As a father figure to me and many of my costars, we shared our love for sports, and he always wanted to hear about my son’s life & sports! On set, Drake was never short of being a scene stealer but an amazing way of making everyone in the room feel loved, supported, and valued. It’s still hard to believe that he passed away a day before his 71st birthday. Like John Black, only Drake could have orchestrated such a dramatic exit. As I know he would want us all to celebrate his life and hold on to our fond memories. His voice will always stay with me, leaving a lasting impact. Happy Birthday and I love you, Drake. Godspeed.
Comments via Instagram:
Tonja Walker (ex-Olivia, GH/Alex, OLTL): So sad. I hate this disease as it took my husband too.
Stacy Haiduk (Kirsten): I am so grateful to have worked and gotten to know Drake! Such an amazing soul! You will be missed so much by all who loved you! Thank you for all you have brought to this world! I will miss you as so many others will! Much Love and Light to all!
Victoria Grace (Wendy): Oh my goodness. I’m so so sad to hear this. I’m honored to have worked with him. Just the nicest guy. RIP Drake
Paul Telfer (Xander): The ultimate team player. So supportive, and so much fun. Devastating loss to this genre.
Galen Gering (Rafe): An amazing human who lived larger than life and always brought a smile and a great story to every room. You will be missed greatly my friend. Rest in power.
George DelHoyo (Orpheus): Simply put, Drake was as gracious, kind, patient and generous a man as I’ve known. His untimely departure is felt as a deep loss to all who have had the privilege of sharing the stage with him. God hold and keep his sweet soul. And to you, his beloved family, I send my deepest condolences and love. Our world was better for him.
Robert Scott Wilson (Alex): An absolute legend and an incredible man. Will forever be missed and honored.
Lindsay Arnold (Allie): Truly the sweetest, most welcoming man. Lucky and honored to have known him.
Sal Stowers (Lani): Such a wonderful man, always had the best conversations with Drake. What an incredible honor it was to know and work along side him. Fly with the angels Sweet Drake.
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