Just now, carolineg said:

I actually cried when I first read this and I had heard solid rumors he was very ill.  I just didn't believe it.  Not my John.  Not the most awesome dad in the world.  I hope all his loved ones know how much he will be missed by the daytime community.  
A true legend and a stand up guy.

I know just how you feel. When more of the OLTL and GH folks start to go (though some already have) I'll be the same. But even if I stopped regularly watching years ago it's very sad for any of us who grew up watching Days, or watched at any point in the last nearly 40 years. John Black is an institution.

14 minutes ago, Vee said:

but there is a reason they did the Two Romans

Yes! I actually think Drake did good work with this arc. It also had to be kind of bittersweet, losing his established role, maybe fearing for his future. But he acquitted himself well. And I will forever love the whole Chichen Itza remote. It was gorgeous. And quite the backdrop for Isabella to tell John about being pregnant with Brady.

On another note, I have read of many upcoming returns some time ago, and I thought it may have had to do with Roman, but now...I wonder if the show was sadly planning ahead. I don't mean to be cryptic, but this is not a spoiler thread, nor is it the proper time. But now I do wonder...

5 minutes ago, Vee said:

I know just how you feel. When more of the OLTL and GH folks start to go (though some already have) I'll be the same. But even if I stopped regularly watching years ago it's very sad for any of us who grew up watching Days, or watched at any point in the last nearly 40 years. John Black is an institution.

Yup.  It hits hard for me.  I just love John/Marlena.  And I don't know how I am going to get through 9 months or so of him still on screen.  Cancer is a b*tch, but I still hope his family, friends, loved ones know how much he meant to me and all of us.

Wow. This is a huge shock. I stopped watching DAYS last year but this news is hitting hard. I always loved John and thought he would be the coolest dad. Drake will be very missed. 

 

Everyone's been so eloquent, so I'll just choose a song.

 

Martha Madison
https://www.instagram.com/p/DAfKI85peo0/

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Martha Madison (@marth27)

marth27
Today, the world lost a great man, Salem lost its greatest hero, and I lost one of my favorite scene partners. With a heart full of baseball, Drake was the embodiment of team spirit and mentored so many of us at #Days like a true team Captain. He was also a cheerleader. One of my favorite memories of Drake was from not too long ago. He knew I was super nervous as I was preparing to deliver a five page deathbed monologue, and after we finished the scene (both soaked in tears and snot), he gave me a huge hug and whispered, “Kid, it was like that moment when you hear the crack of the bat against a long ball that flies into the stands and the crowd goes wild.”
I always knew if I was working with him that I would need to spend a little extra time on my scene prep. He was always off book and word perfect, and in 20 years I don’t think I ever remember him holding a script. More than that, he was always ready to play. He loved diving into our father/daughter dynamics, and there was no place I could go in a scene where he wasn’t exactly right there with me.
Drake was full of enthusiasm and humor and aways told the most amazing stories. He loved being an actor and always showed grace and gratitude when it came to his work and his fans. He loved his family deeply and was over the moon to be a Grandfather. I’m sending my deepest sympathies to his family and to all of the cast, crew and fans who have loved him for decades. #RIP ❤️🕊️ @drakehogestyn

 

Christopher Sean
https://www.instagram.com/p/DAfLN4uxwAl/
 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Christopher Sean (@mrchristophersean)

mrchristophersean
I will always love you. You were more than just my tv dad, in my eyes you were my dad. Thank you for everything you taught me and the love you gave me. The world lost a true Hero. Miss and love you Drake. Rest in Peace Dad

What a beautiful post by Martha.  Ali's was lovely as well.

This is still unreal. It will be so bittersweet to have these last 9 months or so of material of Drake but I will definitely cherish it.

2 minutes ago, Vee said:

Very sweet by Farah as well.  It shows how big Drake's presence was because they didn't share a lot of airtime.

 

I know Christie Clark's mother spoke on FB as well.

It's truly sad news. I wasn't an avid viewer of DAYS, but I certainly knew of Drake Hogestyn and his iconic role as John Black. He was a soap legend, and when legends pass away, it's like a piece of television history fades with them. His impact on the genre will always be remembered. My heartfelt thoughts are with his family, friends, and all the DAYS fans.

Just finding this out, so sad. Drake Hogestyn was one of my DAYS faves.  Hoping he didn't suffer too terribly.  Condolences to his real family and his DAYS family.