- Drake Hogestyn (September 29, 1953 -September 28, 2024)
- “John Black” (January 10, 1986 – June 2, 2025)
Deidre Hall (Days of our Lives), this name must be among the tippy top of any “Best Of” list of actors in daytime television. Period. And in the month of June, in the year of 2025, Soap Opera News’ Star of the Month has once again, without a doubt, showed us all why!
This month’s highlight will be a bit different. With the passing of “John Black” and on-screen celebration of his and Drake Hogestyn’s life and legacy and given who Hogestyn, Hall, John, Marlena and “Jarlena” are in the daytime family and the impact they have had in the industry and on all of our lives, it couldn’t be “business as usual. “ We want to pay tribute to all of them as we also highlight Soap Opera News’ Star of the Month.
Special Note: Our deepest condolences remain with Drake Hogestyn’s family and loved ones, Deidre Hall, the entire cast and crew at Days of Our Lives, and the daytime family.
June 2025: Deidre Hall as Marlena
Marlena Evans is Wonder Woman, a Superwoman extraordinaire, who has been through any and everything and has lived, died, risen (more than once) and lived again to tell all the tales. But after June 2025, the matriarch’s life (and Salem, USA) will never be the same after losing the love of her life, John Black. John died after being injured in a lab explosion while trying to secure the experimental drug to save Bo Brady’s (Peter Reckell)life. Our “Hero” died saving our “Hero.” So, fitting!
John’s loved ones (most of them) were able to sit at his bedside and give their heartbroken and heartfelt goodbyes. His passing was followed by a homegoing service befitting of one of Salem’s finest and best. And the month concluded with a celebration of love and the wedding of Paul (Christopher Sean) and Andrew (Colton Little.) John was indeed smiling down! Well done, Days!
“Jarlena”
This pairing is what supercouples are made of. They, too, must be named among the best to ever do it. Full Stop. Two Romans, divorce, death, destruction, the devil himself, murders, kidnappings, amnesia, Stefano (Joseph Mascolo) and Kristen DiMera (Eileen Davidson/Stacy Haiduk), Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney), these two faced, endured, and overcame it all. And fiercely and fully lived and loved.
“That is the true season of love,When we believed that we alone could love, That no one could ever have loved so before us, and that no one will love in the same way after us.”
For nearly forty years (wow, right?!) John and Marlena have loved each other with an all-encompassing, unapologetic, and unconditional love. A love to stand the test of time. Marlena said this at John’s services. “I really do believe that we will survive this now. Our love will bring us through. Goodnight, my love.”
Drake Hogestyn/John Black
John Black spent his adult life not knowing “who he was.” He was known by a few names other than John Black (The Pawn, Roman Brady, Stefano?) along the way. We don’t have the time to pen all the selfless, larger than life, and heroic deeds he performed saving Marlena, his loved ones, Salem, USA, and the reel world at large in this undertaking. But Google’s got them if you don’t know.
John’s reel life is a wonderful example of what’s important in real life. Of course, we all have a natural desire to know who are family is and where we come from, that is completely understandable. And thankfully, in the last couple of years John did find and connect with his biological father Timothy Robicheaux (Dick Van Dyke). But in the end, who we really are, is rooted in what we choose to do while on this side, who we love, who we interact with, the choices we make, how we serve, the experiences we have and how we impact the lives of those around us and the world at large. So, we know exactly who John Black is, an iconic pillar in daytime, as history will rightfully remember him to be.
Most of us fans, “regular folks” in the daytime family, didn’t know Hogestyn personally, no matter that we love him. We love him for what we saw and experienced and because of the dedication, professionalism, warmth, appreciation, and care that shone through for almost forty years. We love him and are so grateful that he shared his gifts and talents with us, and for giving us John Black. Thank you, Drake.
Deidre Hall/Marlena Evans
We will conclude where we began with Ms. Deidre Hall. This Queen continues to amaze us. One can only imagine what she was going through herself during this difficult time. Yet she gave us the “Marlena” that we, the fans and Marlena’s family, so desperately needed, who were hurting as well.
Marlena held John in her arms during the last moments of his life, loving him as only she could. With Brady’s (Eric Martsolf) encouragement, she spoke about John and their love at the services. She managed to hold it together and be as strong as she could for her kids, family, and loved ones, even as her tears and grief-stricken face showed the depth of her pain and loss.
And in true Wonder Woman and Superwoman fashion, despite her own agony, she did what true matriarchs do: she pushed through to be there for everyone else. She told Steve (Stephen Nichols) and Bo not to feel guilty. That John loved them and wouldn’t want them to bear that burden. She released Belle (Martha Madison) to follow her heart when it comes to deciding if she should be with EJ (Dan Feuerriegel). And she didn’t hesitate to insert herself in the unfolding whodunnit EJ drama and bring comfort to her two distraught grandchildren, Rachel (Alice Halsey) and Johnny (Carson Boatman). Hall was mesmerizing, awe-inspiring, exceptional, and rock steady as she led the cast in and through this unforgettable and meritorious tribute.
What can one possibly say about thee, Deidre Hall, that hasn’t been said before? Ms. Hall is Queen. She is not only our star of the month, she is a star every day that has been shining brightly on screens, in Salem, USA, in daytime, on primetime, and everywhere in between for over 50 years, and she continues to sparkle!
Congratulations to Ms. Hall! She is Soap Opera News’ Star of the Month for June 2025! (Photo: Peacock.)
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