“This news is just heartbreaking” - Days of Our Lives fans mourn the death of John Black fame Drake Hogestyn

Drake Hogestyn played the role of John Black on the Peacock soap opera Days of Our Lives, for nearly four decades, since the character was introduced on the daytime show on November 18, 1985.

On September 29, 2024, the family of the actor confirmed the death of the soap’s beloved actor through an Instagram post from the official handle of Days of Our Lives. The post received comments of fans from all over the world, who shared their condolences with the actor's family and friends.

“This news is just heartbreaking,” commented a fan @michelletheleo under the Instagram post.

The same user went on writing

“You will be missed beyond measure. Feel blessed to have watched you grace my screen since the beginning. John & Marlena has been an epic love story that will go down as one of the best in soap history.”

“Absolutely crushed. I've no words, been crying all night. A fan since a little girl in the early 70's. I remember when John joined the cast.. I'd just graduated HS. My heart hurts,” wrote another fan @thecookiefiendpdx in the comments.

The post on Days of Our Lives Instagram stated that the actor died due to pancreatic cancer that he had been battling for quite a long time and ultimately took his last breath on September 28, 2024, just a day before his 71st birthday.

“I am beyond devastated!! I have watched him on Days since I was 10 years old!! Rest in Peace Drake Hogestyn! Prayers for the DOOL family!!!” said another user @luv4boyz1girl.

“I am so incredibly sad that he had to go through the suffering of pancreatic cancer! Rest in peace, dear Drake. I have watched you since your first day on the show and I am 73 now. You were my favorite male actor on DOOL and will be missed so much! Prayers to your family, friends, and your DOOL family,” wrote another fan @travelchick72318.

Not just the fans, but the co-stars and colleagues of Drake Hogestyn have also commented on the post, expressing their grievance

“Such a wonderful man always had the best conversations with Drake. What an incredible honor it was to know and work alongside him. Fly with the angels Sweet Drake,” wrote co-star Sal Stowers.

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

Comments by the fans and co-stars (Image via Instagram / dayspeacock)

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Days of Our Lives: A recap of the story arc of John Black

John Black, played by Drake Hogestyn, is one of the most beloved characters of Days of Our Lives who has gone through several changing plotlines since he first appeared on the show in 1985.

Inspired by action heroes like Jason Bourne, James Bond, and Bruce Lee, John has been part of many complex plots involving spies, family mysteries, love, and loss.

His role as an undercover agent for the fictional International Security Alliance (ISA) pushed him into several dangerous missions, and his tangled past with the DiMera family has driven much of the drama in his life.

John was first introduced as "The Pawn," a brainwashed agent working for Stefano DiMera. Over time, his true identity became the subject of many twists and surprises. For a long time on Days of Our Lives, he believed that he was Roman Brady, following which he fell in love with Dr. Marlena Evans. But when the real Roman came back, John had to accept his true identity as John Black.

His life got even more complicated when it was revealed that he was also Forrest Alamain followed by another twist that showed his real name was John Robicheaux, son of Timothy Robicheaux, also known as Yo Ling, a leader of a secret group of spies and assassins called the Phantom Alliance.

John's relationships, especially with Marlena, was central to his storyline. Even though they faced many challenges, betrayals, and separations like when Marlena was thought to be dead, John was brainwashed, and they both had affairs, the couple still remained one of the famous couple of Days of Our Lives.

Over the years, John has dealt with his past, identity crisis, and desire for redemption, making him a long-lasting and loved character on the show.

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Fans of the actor can watch the previous episodes of the actor and the new episodes of Days of Our Lives on Peacock.