Drake Hogestyn as John Black -- (Photo by: Evans Vestal Ward/Peacock via Getty Images)
null - ‘Days of Our Lives’ star Drake Hogestyn, who played John Black on the show, has died. He was 70 years old.
"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," the Hogestyn family said in a statement posted to Instagram. "After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones."
"He was the most amazing husband, father, papa, and actor," the statement continued. "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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Hogestyn first appeared on "Days of Our Lives" in 1986. He appeared in more than 4,200 episodes in his decades-long run, according to IMDB.
He twice won hottest male star at the Soap Opera Digest Awards (in 1994 and 1995), then won the favorite couple award in 2005.
Hogestyn was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1953 and attended the University of South Florida on a baseball scholarship. He graduated with a double major in microbiology and applied sciences with plans of becoming an oral surgeon, but after college he was drafted by two MLB teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees, according to Soap Opera Digest.
Hogestyn played third base for one of the Yankees’ farm teams in Oneonta, NY, but an injury in 1977 ended his baseball career. From there, Hogestyn transitioned to show business and was one of 30 actors chosen to participate in a Columbia Pictures acting training program.
His first television appearance was in the 1982 series "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," which ran for one season on CBS. He had a few other roles before landing on "Days of Our Lives."
"This is a very difficult one for all of us," the show’s Executive Producer Ken Corday said. "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."