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

[Liberty City]

You have every right to say that, and I think that's apparent in that the frontrunners of Corday's infamous "plan to save Days" was bringing him & Hall back. If I recall, their returns were among the first when it was announced Dena Higley was OUT as head writer.

It's going to depend on how it's penned. I am sure many said that of so many other cast members on other soaps.

[dragonflies]

Sorry if this one was posted, I might have missed it

 

 

[Liberty City]

 

 

 

 

 

[dragonflies]

 

 

 

 

[JAS0N47]

As I was preparing my post last night, I checked Twitter shortly before the news was made public, and it was more heartbreaking to see the fans were counting down to his birthday. So, if I wasn't already sad enough, that made it even worse. 

[janea4old]

Galen Gering
https://www.instagram.com/p/DAghkTuy5CD/
 

 

ggering
 
I was lucky enough to go on a special trip with Drake and represent Days in S Africa. We went from Johannesburg to Cape Town and had moments where thousands of people cheered for us to times walking on deserted beaches. The one constant in it all was Drake- always just awesome to be around. We laughed so much. I mean, my face hurt every day. We were in his element, surrounded by people and animals. The energy he had was contagious and people gravitated towards him. He always took time for everyone and made them to feel special.
Drake was always such a great storyteller and I knew at some point on that trip we were creating one he would eventually tell. This adventure would be a square added to the extraordinary quilt of his life.

One of the things Drake would often say among his many ‘isims’ was ,”…well that was a below average feeling.” And as I sit here and write this I can definitely relate. Thank you for the memories and the good times and being an incredible steward for the show. You are loved and you are missed. Sending my condolences to your beautiful family I know you cherished beyond measure.
Rest in Peace my friend.

 

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Look at all the photos on Galen's IG post!

 

[dragonflies]

 

[carolineg]

It warms my heart to see all the costar tributes!  Drake really made an impression on people and seems like such a well liked man.  It makes it a little easier to deal with knowing how many people will miss him and loved him.

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[Wendy]

A lot more tributes are on the SOD site, i.e. Paul Telfer, Darrin Brooks, Camilla Banus, Stacy Haiduk, and more:

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/daytime-stars-pay-tribute-to-dayss-drake-hogestyn-john/

Edited September 29, 2024 by Wendy

[Liberty City]

 

[janea4old]

Rex Chapman quoting Drake's page on wikipedia

"Hogestyn was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he graduated from North Side High School. 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.[1]"

 

 

 

.... and Chapman tweeted Drake baseball pics
https://x.com/RexChapman/status/1840283871079784786
 

 

Edited September 29, 2024 by janea4old

[janea4old]

Drake's Wikipedia page links to this Major League Baseball official page article, (subpage for Minor League Baseball) ..
a 2020 interview with Drake:
https://www.milb.com/news/drake-hogestyn-recalls-his-younger-days-312653216

Edited September 29, 2024 by janea4old

[dragonflies]

 

[Maxim]

You can really tell what an amazing human being he was... just by these reactions and tributes. A person that will be truly missed. I feel like watching DAYS from the moment he came on. I need to start with his first episode.