Drake Hogestyn

Drake Hogestyn
Hogestyn in 2010
Born
Donald Drake Hogestyn

(1953-09-29)September 29, 1953
Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S
DiedSeptember 28, 2024(2024-09-28) (aged 70)
Malibu, California, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of South Florida
OccupationActor
Years active1982–2024
Known forPortrayal of John Black in Days of Our Lives
SpouseVictoria
Children4

Donald Drake Hogestyn (/ˈhʌdʒstən/; September 29, 1953 – September 28, 2024) was an American actor best known for his long-running role as John Black on the American soap opera Days of Our Lives.

Early life

Hogestyn was born on September 29, 1953, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he graduated from North Side High School.[1] He attended the University of South Florida in Tampa on a baseball scholarship, majoring in pre-dentistry. He graduated with a double major in microbiology and applied sciences. He was then drafted by two professional baseball organizations: the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees. Hogestyn signed with the Yankees and played third base for one of their farm teams until he was injured in 1977.[2]

Career

Hogestyn began his acting career by entering a Columbia Pictures talent search that included 75,000 people. Hogestyn was among the 30 selected, and his first starring role was on the prime time series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. After a few minor roles (one as Kort, leader of the Micro Workers in the episode 'Princess Metra' on the 80s television series Otherworld), Hogestyn joined the cast of Days of our Lives in 1986. He initially played a mystery man referred to simply as "The Pawn." However, it was soon revealed The Pawn was the presumed dead Roman Brady. Hogestyn quickly became a fan favorite and enjoyed many pairings, the most popular of which was with longtime co-star Deidre Hall. In 1998, while starring on Days, Shelley Long enlisted Hogestyn to join her for the upcoming series Kelly, Kelly. He was set to star in both until the filming of the pilot episode of Kelly, Kelly conflicted with his schedule on Days, and the role went to Robert Hays.[3][better source needed]

In 1991, Wayne Northrop agreed to return to Days to reprise his role of Roman. In order to keep both actors on the show, Drake's story was retconned, and his past was rewritten. Despite this change, Hogestyn remained one of the show's most popular actors.[citation needed] The pairing of John Black and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) is one of the show's enduring supercouples.[citation needed]

In November 2008, it was announced Hogestyn, along with Hall, had been fired from Days of Our Lives, with budget cuts cited as reason for their exits.[4] In July 2011, it was announced Hogestyn and Hall would reprise their roles as John and Marlena, respectively, in an attempt to "refresh" the soap.[5] Hogestyn made his final appearance in the role during the episode released on September 9, 2024, due to the soap's advanced taping schedule and his death on September 28 of the same year.[6]

Personal life and death

Hogestyn and his wife Victoria had four children.[1]

Hogestyn died from pancreatic cancer at his home in Malibu, California, on September 28, 2024.[1][7][8][9]

Filmography

List of acting roles
Year Title Role Notes
1982–1983 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Brian McFadden Main role[1]
1985 Otherworld Kort 1 episode
1985 Generation Jack Breed Television film
1985 Beverly Hills Cowgirl Blues Rod Television film[1]
1986–2009, 2011–2024 Days of Our Lives John Black Series regular[1]
1992 One Stormy Night John Black Television film (NBC)[1]
1993 Night Sins John Black Television film (NBC)
2018 Criminal Minds Senator Alfred Mayhew 1 episode
2020 Christmas Tree Lane Benjamin Reilly Television film (Hallmark Channel)
2021–2022 Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem John Black Limited series (Peacock)
2021 Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas John Black Peacock original film

Awards, honors and nominations

  • Soap Opera Digest awards and nominations:
    • Winner, Hottest Male Star (1994)[10]
    • Winner, Hottest Male Star (1995)[11]
    • Nominated, Hottest Male Star (1997)
    • Nominated, Hottest Male Star (1998)
    • Nominated, Hottest Romance (1998) shared with Deidre Hall
    • Nominated, Favorite Couple (1999) shared with Deidre Hall
    • Winner, Favorite Couple (2005) shared with Deidre Hall[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Diaz, Johnny (September 29, 2024). "Drake Hogestyn, 'Days of Our Lives' Actor, Dies at 70". The New York Times. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  2. ^ Schector, Paige (March 14, 2006). "Hogestyn recalls his younger 'Days'". MILB.com. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  3. ^ "Quote at IMDB regarding Kelly, Kelly". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  4. ^ Kerr, Luke (November 17, 2008). "Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn Fired!". Daytime Confidential. United States: The Arena Group. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  5. ^ "Daytime Icons Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn to Return to Days of Our Lives" (Press release). United States: PRNewswire. July 12, 2011. Archived from the original on September 29, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  6. ^ Fairman, Michael (September 30, 2024). "Drake Hogestyn's Final Days of Our Lives Episode Date Confirmed Following His Passing". Michael Fairman TV. United States: The Michael Fairman Company. Archived from the original on October 1, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  7. ^ "Death Certificate" (PDF). Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  8. ^ Iannucci, Rebecca (September 28, 2024). "Drake Hogestyn, Days of Our Lives' John Black, Dead at 70". TVLine. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on September 29, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  9. ^ Levinsky, Mara (September 28, 2024). "Days of Our Lives Superstar Drake Hogestyn (John) Dies At 70". Soap Opera Digest. United States: A360media. ISSN 0164-3584. Archived from the original on September 29, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  10. ^ SOD Winners 1994 Archived August 17, 2003, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ SOD Winners 1995 Archived February 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ SOD Winners 2005
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