Stephen Nicols (Steve “Patch” Johnson, Days of our Lives) and George DelHoyo (Orpheus) have paid tribute to their late costar, Drake Hogestyn.

Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn

Nichols, who played John Black’s ride or die for many a decade, took to Instagram with a post that read in part: “My dear friend, Drake Hogestyn has passed. This loss is overwhelming. Drake was a man’s man with a huge heart. He was kind, respectful and honest. I never heard him speak a negative word about anyone. He was on a very short list of exceptional people I have known in my lifetime.

“He was a mentor without knowing it. I learned so much from Drake by his example. Humility, perseverance, forgiveness. We had long talks in his dressing room after working on our scenes. He spoke so lovingly about his beautiful family who he cherished above all else. Drake would tell me about his history, playing baseball, coming to Hollywood, getting into acting.

“He also shared triumphs and a few heartaches having to do with his long career on Days with such honesty. I felt privileged to be a sounding board, to have his trust. And he had mine. I could tell him anything; and recently when I was going through a rough time when I lost my sister to cancer, he was there for me and he listened and asked how I was doing daily…

“Drake and I began our working relationship in 1986. No one hit the stage with more commitment and enthusiasm than Drake. He inspired and energized me and everyone around him. He loved coming to work and showed up early to workout in the wee hours of the morning. I’ll miss hearing the whirring of his stationary bike and the clanging of dumbbells-we were dressing room neighbors.

Just being in Drake’s presence was enough to get a jolt of positivity. He was one of those special souls who exuded joy and love for life. The Days of Our Lives cast, crew, and fans (who he was always so kind to) have suffered a great loss….”

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ICYMI: HERE’S HOW A PLETHORA OF DRAKE HOGESTYN’S NEAREST AND DEAREST PAID TRIBUTE TO HIM

George DelHoyo Honors Drake Hogestyn

DelHoyo, whose alter-ego bedeviled John on-and-off for nearly 40 years, first posted the following on the official Days of our Lives Instagram account:

“Simply put, Drake was as gracious, kind, patient and generous a man as I’ve known His ultimely departure is felt as a deep loss to all who have had the privilege of sharing the stage with him. God hold and keep his sweet soul. And to you, his beloved family, I send my deepest condolences and love. Our world was better for him.”

Later, he took to his own socials and penned: “Farewell dear friend, colleague, noble fellow…until our spirits co-mingle again!”

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Hogestyn passed on September 28th after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer, one day shy of his 71st birthday.

He is survived by his of 37 years, Victoria Post Hogestyn, their four children: daughters Whitney, Alexandra, and Rachel, and son Ben and their partners, as well as seven grandchildren.