Drake Hogestyn was an American actor who enjoyed widespread recognition, especially for playing the character of John Black over a long period on Days of Our Lives, a popular daytime soap opera.
Drake was born on September 29, 1953, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He had been a professional baseball player until he chose acting as his career. First appearing in 1986, Hogestyn's well-sprung character, John Black secured a place as one of the most well-remembered characters in daytime television.
Introduced as Roman Brady, John's storyline was developed through a series of complex layers involving love triangles and memory loss. Through the years, Hogestyn's performance and charisma cemented him as a fan favorite. His character remains one of the cornerstones of the Days of Our Lives storyline.
Disclaimer: The article reflects the writer's opinion and is listed in no particular order.
Drake Hogestyn's must-watch shows
1) Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982)
Before achieving soap opera fame, Drake Hogestyn appeared in the musical drama series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, based on the 1954 film. He played the role of Brian McFadden, one of seven brothers residing on a ranch in California.
The show follows the brothers who are trying to find love while building up life inside the ranch. Although it only ran a very short length, this series gave Hogestyn one of his earliest acting roles.
Interested viewers can watch Seven Brides for Seven Brothers on Amazon Prime.
2) Generation (1985)
In Generation, Drake Hogestyn was cast in the role of Jack Breed, one of the major characters. It involved two families, the Challons and the McArthurs, and the associated generational conflict, along with the tensions encountered within a family. The show provided a source for Hogestyn to take center stage in a daytime drama before joining Days of Our Lives.
3) Otherworld (1985)
Otherworld was a science fiction series in which Hogestyn played Lt. Dillon. Following a family's saga trapped in a parallel universe, the show attempted to work its way through strange new worlds back to Earth. Though running for only one season, Drake Hogestyn's role in this sci-fi adventure gave variation to his early career and showcased his range as an actor.
4) Criminal Minds (2017)
On Criminal Minds, Drake Hogestyn made a guest appearance in the episode "True North," portraying Senator Alfred Mayhew. The show was part of the crime procedural's long-running exploration of behavioral analysis and criminal investigations.
Hogestyn was one of the memorable characters in the show. Since he took on the role, the storyline got a bit more serious and dark for the crime drama genre piece compared to his usual jocular soap opera persona.
Interested viewers can watch Criminal Minds on Disney + Hotstar.
5) The Nutt House (1989)
Drake Hogestyn guest-starred in the sitcom The Nutt House, created by Mel Brooks. The series was situated in a sleazy hotel where wacky characters ran amok in unbelievable situations. His appearance was brief, but participating in a Mel Brooks project showed the genres Hogestyn could work in.
Interested viewers can watch Days of Our Lives on Peacock.