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

[Antoyne]

Now I’m going to be upset if we don’t hear from the greatest Belle

[carolineg]

The GREATEST Belle.  I actually think CR owns a successful yoga studio or something so she's doing well, but wisely decided to stop acting to protect all of us.

[Chris B]

She is still trying to act lol. I've seen some updated clips of her still trying. She will always be my favorite Belle. Unforgettable.

On the subject of asking if actors have commented, I think it's fair in a thread like this. The only time that bothers me is when fans go to the actors directly demanding a statement. We're just trying to see if anybody shared their condolences, but hounding actors who are grieving is wrong.

[carolineg]

Well that's unfortunate lol.  At the time I am sure I did not find CR funny, but clips of her now give me more entertainment than MM ever did in all her years playing Belle. 

I definitely think it's fair to ask who made statements in a thread like this as there have been so many that it's hard to keep track.  I just know it got pretty ugly on social media with people directly asking Deidre for a statement and wondering why it was taking her so long.  Which is gross.  It feels like some people (not on this board) are demanding statements from everyone that ever worked with Drake and it's no ones obligation to make a public statement.  

[Gray Bunny]

In the spirit of Days being Days, they could always bring Charity back as Mimi. Belle needs a friend during this emotional time... 

Kidding. Please don't. 

[janea4old]

Sandra Dee Robinson
She played this role:
https://web.archive.org/web/20150911060136/http://soapcentral.com/days/whoswho/charlotte.php
 

meimsandradee (Sandra Dee Robinson)
It seems like yesterday. Drake was so very kind to everyone. When I joined the DOOL cast from day one, Drake was a supportive force. He never engaged in negative talk and just was a gem of a human. I feel honored to have worked with him although it was only a few months. You are missed Drake. You’ve definitely left this world a better place for being in it. #drakehogestyn #daysofourlives #gratefulheart

[janea4old]

^ from @JAS0N47's site:
Sandra D. Robinson (Charlotte Taylor) 12/1/08-1/22/09
From soapcentral, her character bio: (Link)

She said in her IG post that she worked with Drake for only a few months.

So many cast/crew who knew Drake for short periods of time long ago, still have lasting impressions of his kindness and supportiveness.

Edited October 4, 2024 by janea4old

[janea4old]

[Gray Bunny]

Wasn't her character the one responsible for John becoming paralyzed when Drake & Dee were written off in early 2009? 

[carolineg]

Yes.

[Antoyne]

It’s still crazy to think they wrote off John and Marlena while they were still plenty viable. I don’t even remember who the show focused on when they were gone. Was it the Sami show?

[carolineg]

Yes.  Ali carried the show for those years, but Maggie moved more into the Marlena role and was heavily focused on.  It was a weird time, but EJ/Sami/Nicole did have a lot going on.  They also fired SN and MBE a few months after they fired the DH's so it was very transitional.  A lot of people did enjoy that era though.  

[AbcNbc247]

And Tony and Anna were written out too. 

I think it had to do with the economic crisis at the time, that impacted everything. It was a tough period for the show but they did have some good writing

[Antoyne]

Sami as the heroine on the show was my least favorite viewing period. Sami as she’s been written in her returns is more true to form. I don’t need her hating John, that’s played out but she lost just about all the spunk that made her Sami at the time. There was a period where all Sami did was cry. I think this was during those years.

I actually now that I remember didn’t mind Maggie getting a little more prominence until of course they retconned Daniel and Melanie into her life.

[carolineg]

Woah, first off I am like the only Melanie stan on this board.  Love Molly Burnett lol.  In all seriousness I don't know why people hate Melanie.

But as far as everything else I agree.  Sami was either crying or pregnant.  And the John hate is annoying because they made up approx a million times and she named her son after him, but I do get it's an easy trope to go back to.  I think Ali and Ari did a good job holding the show together in the absence of Drake/Deidre, but it felt immediately more like home the minute they were back.