Days of our Lives’ Deidre Hall Speaks Out On The Loss Of Drake Hogestyn: “I Loved Him So”

Soon after the untimely passing of Drake Hogestyn (John Black), Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans Black), his Days of our Lives costar and onscreen lover of many decades, released a heartfelt statement to Access Hollywood that read in part: “For nearly 4 decades, Marlena Evans and I have loved the same man.” Now, the actress is speaking to the infotainment program in person and summing up what studio life has been like in the wake of such a tremendous loss.

Deidre Hall On Life After Drake Hogestyn

“I have so much that I have stored up with him over the years. I miss that he doesn’t get to come to work. I miss that he doesn’t get to play with us. He loved being here, just loved it. And I miss that for him.

“I loved him so. Marlena loved him so. They loved each other so. I will sometimes be sitting on the set and thinking, ‘John is gone, and oh my gosh, Drake is gone!’

“We had very little notice [of Drake’s illness and subsequent death] It was a shock. And I think we’ve all talked about privately, ‘What??’ And the resounding comment was, ‘Not Drake!’ Drake, I mean the healthiest, the most positive. And then there it was.”

If there’s one that the actress is taking comfort in, it’s the soap’s upcoming 60th anniversary. “These anniversaries are such a gift. Not just to us, but to the audience. We feel like they are family, so stick with us. We’re always going to be your family.