Longtime ‘Days of Our Lives’ star Drake Hogestyn dies at age 70

Longtime “Days of Our Lives” histrion Drake Hogestyn, who played John Black connected the soap for astir 40 years, died Saturday.

He was 70.

The origin was pancreatic cancer, his household announced successful a station connected the soap’s Instagram account.

“It’s with dense hearts that we announced the passing of Drake Hogestyn,” the household said. “He was thrown the curveball of his beingness erstwhile helium was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but helium faced the situation with unthinkable spot and determination.”

They said helium had mounted an “unbelievable fight” but yet “passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.”

Sunday would person been Hogestyn’s 71st birthday, a information that “Days of Our Lives” acknowledged successful a abstracted station with a photograph of the actor’s 70th a twelvemonth ago, surrounded by family.

For 38 years Drake Hogestyn was John Black, starting connected Jan. 24, 1986 and continuing for much than 4,200 episodes, arsenic a enigma antheral who was by turns a heroic spy, mercenary, cop, P.I. and concealed agent, arsenic Variety described it.

He besides starred successful “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” connected CBS and respective TV movies during the 1980s and 1990s.

His soap opera quality was iconic capable that the fictional “Days of Our Lives” quality played by Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) connected “Friends,” Dr. Drake Ramoray, shared his name.

“This is simply a precise hard 1 for each of us,, “Days of Our Lives” enforcement shaper Ken Corday told People. “Hogey was the eventual squad player, and determination are not capable words to explicit however profoundly helium volition beryllium missed. His interaction connected our show, personally and professionally, was profound and volition everlastingly stay unmatched.”

Tributes poured in from co-stars past and present.

“I volition ever emotion you,” wrote Christopher Sean, who played Black’s illegitimate lad Paul Narita. “You were much than conscionable my TV father, successful my eyes you were my dad. Thank you for everything you taught maine and the emotion you gave me. The satellite mislaid a existent Hero. Miss and emotion you truthful overmuch Drake. Rest successful Peace Dad.”

Alison Sweeney, who played Sami Brady, mourned “an unthinkable man” who was “funny, generous and thoughtful.”

Hogestyn’s household and survivors included his woman of 37 years, Victoria Post, 4 children and 7 grandchildren, People reported.

“He loved performing for the Days assemblage and sharing the signifier with the top cast, crew, and accumulation squad successful the business,” the household said successful their statement. “We emotion him and we volition miss him each the Days of our Lives.”