Legendary Days of our Lives mainstay Drake Hogestyn has passed away at age 70.
Days of our Lives’ Drake Hogestyn Dead At 70
A spokesperson for DAYS shared the following statement from the Hogestyn family:
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. He was thrown the curve ball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination. After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
“He was the most amazing husband, father, papa, and actor. He loved performing for the Days audience and sharing the stage with the greatest cast, crew, and production team in the business.
“We love him and we will miss him all the Days of our Lives.”
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Ken Corday, executive producer of DAYS, added: “This is a very difficult one for all of us. Hogey was the ultimate team player and there are not sufficient words to express how deeply he will be missed. His impact on our show, personally and professionally, was profound and will forever remain unmatched.”
A graduate of the University of South Florida in Tampa and a New York Yankees draftee (an injury put paid to his dreams of playing in the majors), Hogestyn’s acting career commenced when he was one of 30 (out of 75,000) who won a Columbia Pictures talent search.
His first starring role was in the TV series adaptation of the popular musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. His resume grew with several subsequent stints on shows like Otherworld and TV movies including Beverly Hills Cowgirl Blues.
In 1986, Hogestyn joined the cast of Days of our Lives as amnesiac John Black. A later storyline saw him identified as presumed-dead Roman Brady.
The actor quickly became a fan favorite, and his pairing opposite Deidre Hall’s Marlena Evans proved extremely popular. When Roman’s original portrayer, Wayne Northrop, resumed the part several years later, Hogestyn’s character reclaimed his John Black persona and embarked on a quest to uncover his true identity.
Over the subsequent decades, he’d believe himself to be, amongst a plethora of other possibilities, Forrester Alamain, and the son of Santos DiMera and Colleen Brady before stumbling upon his true progenitors: Timothy and the late Maude Robicheaux.
Hogestyn’s other acting credits include an episode of Criminal Minds and the Hallmark holiday flick Christmas Tree Lane.
He is survived by his of 37 years, Victoria Post Hogestyn, and their four children: daughters Whitney, Alexandra, and Rachel, and son Ben.
Please join Daily Drama in sending Drake Hogestyn’s family, friends, and fans our deepest condolences.
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