DAYS: R.I.P. Drake Hogestyn (John Black, Days of our Lives)

[teplin]

This is devastating all over again. 

[Roman]

 

[janea4old]

Christie Clark
https://www.instagram.com/p/DAioiCPIx8a/

monkeywenches (Christie Clark)

To say I was one of the lucky ones is an understatement. Drake (aka Hoagie) was simply one of the best people I’ve ever met.
I was essentially raised by Drake on the set of Days of our lives! He was my TV dad, who became my second real father. Being guided, nurtured, and taught by this man on set makes me feel incredibly fortunate. It’s astonishing how he took so many others under his wing. Drake had unmatched energy and made time for everyone. He gave all the crew and cast the same enthusiasm, creating a wonderful atmosphere on set! When he spoke to you, he truly listened and absorbed every word. If you told him a joke, he’d remember it for years. His collection of jokes and stories was unrivaled.
Drake radiated light and positivity, crafting the beautiful life he had outside of work. Victoria and Drake loved each other deeply! That’s why he was so enjoyable to watch and became a fan favorite, along with Dee Hall. The audience felt his warmth and goodness and wanted more.
Sending massive healing thoughts to his beautiful family, of whom he was so unbelievably proud: Victoria, Whitney, Rachel, Ben, Alexandra, their new spouses, and all his fabulous new grandbabies! It was all for you!
Drake, I’ll always be your little pumpkin! I’m grateful to know I have a true angel looking out for me. #RIP @drakehogestyn #daysofourlives

---------
(the IG post has lots of pics of Drake and Christie from her childhood into adulthood)

Edited September 30, 2024 by janea4old

[titan1978]

Christie Clark’s tribute has really brought me to tears.

I haven’t watched the show regularly in almost a decade. I’m sad for all the die hard fans that they have gotten this news and also the confirmation that they have seen his last airdate. For once I was hoping their insane tape date would be a blessing.

[carolineg]

Of course, I am disappointed and upset I have already seen his last episode air.  Drake's final scenes with Deidre/Marlena were quite nice.  It was normal Marlena/John couple-y stuff, but in a way it was the perfect scenes for them to end on.

[titan1978]

That was really nice. I’m glad they weren’t in the middle of something that kept them apart.

[Joseph]

This reminds me of how much Closer Carrie should've been to John instead of Roman, I hope they have her on the episodes in John's memory, we usually ignore his "Roman" years but they were full of stories! John was full of History so much so I think he would've been worth a whole week of episodes to acknowledge his passing

Also so sad to know we won't be seeing him anymore either

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He must've been really ill since the show tapes months ahead

[carolineg]

Yeah.  At some point I will go back and watch them when this isn't so fresh, but I remember thinking to myself they were just a really nice set of scenes between the two of them.

[Antoyne]

Oh this makes it so much worse.

[dragonflies]

I'm confused cause Colton Little said he he taped scenes with Drake that should air towards the end of the year 

[Faulkner]

A lot of the people who’ve left us prematurely in recent years—KSJ, Jerry ver Dorn, Jackie Zeman, Drake—are among the most beloved, salt-of-the-earth people ever in daytime. Obviously, people rarely want to appear to speak ill of the dead (the typically forthright Robin Strasser admitted she didn’t get along with Roscoe Born while still honoring his talent), and soap casts are more like family than those in other, more ephemeral genres (in what other mediums do people work with that level of intimacy, often over decades, being that open and vulnerable with the same people day after day, more than one’s own real family members?).

Still, you can tell when cast members pull punches in their tributes or were more intimidated by a veteran star or distantly respectful. You sense that many of these people were universally appreciated and went above and beyond for a lot of their fellow actors in deeply personal ways over the years. Sad to lose such stalwart examples of on-set kindness and old-school professionalism.

Edited September 30, 2024 by Faulkner

[Gray Bunny]

Agreed. Drake was king at playing the scene straight. None of that wink-wink, nudge-nudge cheeky stuff that's so commonplace nowadays. There's a reason why the OG possession storyline was a success, along with all the other fantastical over-the-top the show gave him year after year, decade after decade. 

I was utterly shocked when I saw the news over the weekend. Like the late, great Kristoff St. John, everyone has a positive story to share about Drake Hogestyn, the committed team player, the papa bear to the younger performers, the man who always gave positive words of encouragement. 

As someone who attended a 3 hour event with him and Bryan Dattilo back in 2005, he is absolutely full of great stories, always sharing interesting tales, and always spoken with passion. 

He was so full of life and love. Wow, this one hurts. RIP Drake and "John," the ultimate DAYS hero. 

 

Edited September 30, 2024 by Gray Bunny

[ReddFoxx]

Very sad news. Out of respect for Drake I hope that the shows let's John die off and doesn't pull any silly stunts to keep the character alive.

[janea4old]

No that's not what Colton said.  See my post here which clarifies:
https://boards.soapoperanetwork.com/topic/67543-rip-drake-hogestyn-john-black-days-of-our-lives/?do=findComment&comment=1961111

 

[asafi]

Should we expect John black's memorial in upcoming months, maybe bo and hope's return is connected to john's death? gosh.. no more John and Marlena. heartbreaking. so sad. but let's focus on his amazing legacy spanning almost 40 years.