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

[Contessa Donatella]

So, I keep a gratitude journal and I have been having a hard time writing entries in it. But last night this is what I wrote.

At this moment I am grateful for the life of Drake Hogestyn. He was the best of us. We didn't always know what we had, but Drake, steady on, never flagging, always giving it his all, every single time.

[NothinButAttitude]

 

Thank you, friend! 

[Joseph]

I swear I thought that was a spam until the official Days Page posted a message from the family, we lost yet another Daytime Legend to Cancer, and is extra sad considering how close to his birthday it was

[Troppo]

Same. His name came up on a YouTube video and I thought, surely this is a hoax? But nope.

[janea4old]

 

 

[janea4old]

Staci Greason
https://www.instagram.com/p/DAf_FFZRTah/
 

same message from Staci Greason's ig stories:

Please register in order to view this content

 

Edited September 29, 2024 by janea4old

[Roman]

JUST saw this this morning. I remember his very first air date. may he rest well and go forth on the ultimate journey. 

[janea4old]

[carolineg]

Thank you!  I woke up this morning still very sad, but then I thought of all the crappy times in my life that I just turned on Days and Drake/John made me smile no matter what.  John/Marlena got me through some rough times.  It will be difficult watching the next months on Days knowing he's gone but I will forever cherish the memories. 

It's touching to see cast members talk about him.  He seems universally loved.  I am praying for his wife and family.  The way Drake spoke about his wife was always particularly touching.

[Liberty City]

So SAG-AFTRA can acknowledge daytime... when it suits them. Nice that they did this, but strange they cited Extra.

[AMCOLTLLover]

Martha (Belle) her post really hit me hard..

Last time I was really feeling John‘s character for real was when Belle was framed for Charlie dales murder by Jan.. 
Drake really played his hard out when he thought his baby girl killed him.

I know some may not liked his take on the character here and there but I really enjoyed him very much. He created so many chemistry over the years with his co-stars.. he will be missed so hard

[janea4old]

From Ali Sweeney IG stories, in response to Martha Madison:

Edited September 29, 2024 by janea4old

[Liberty City]

 

[janea4old]

Ryan from TVSource

 

Edited September 29, 2024 by janea4old

[Khan]

The man even had chemistry with Susan Lucci when they co-hosted part of the Daytime Emmys one year!  (Seriously, I was like, "Is there ANY way AMC could steal him away from that miserable DAYS," lol).  In a way, he reminded me of Gary Cooper.  I didn't think Cooper was all that much as an actor either (although, I do enjoy him in comedies like "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" and "Ball of Fire"), but I think he and DH shared a self-assuredness that made him appealing to men and women alike.

I've always believed that if they could've just stopped all the Jason Bourne/James Bond crap and just let John be the caring, concerned dad (and granddad) who fights every day to keep his loved ones and his community safe, they'd have a real winner.