Latest news with #Hogestyn
Pink Villa
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Days of Our Lives Cast Recalls It Was ‘Emotionally Hard' to Shoot Drake Hogestyn's Final Scenes Before His Demise
The cast of Days of Our Lives recently opened up about the heartbreak of filming John Black's final scenes, knowing that actor Drake Hogestyn was nearing the end of his life. Hogestyn, who portrayed the beloved character for nearly 40 years, passed away from pancreatic cancer in September 2024—just as production was filming his character's funeral. In a recent interview, cast members described the surreal and painful experience of acting out their on-screen goodbyes while coping with Hogestyn's real-life decline. Eric Martsolf, who played Brady, John's son, recalled that Hogestyn gave the show his blessing to move forward with the storyline: 'Drake knew what he was facing… He graciously said, 'Yes, let's do it.'' What followed was an outpouring of genuine emotion on set. 'There was literally zero acting going on during those three days,' Martsolf shared. 'Everyone was holding hands to the point where our hands were getting white.' Martha Madison, who portrayed Belle, said the scenes felt like a shared moment of closure: 'We were losing Drake at the same time. We didn't really have to perform—it was all right there.' She also spoke of her admiration for Hogestyn and how the tribute reflected the impact he had on everyone around him. With the episodes now airing, Days of Our Lives fans are witnessing a powerful tribute not only to a legendary character but also to the man behind him. As the cast mourned Drake Hogestyn both on screen and off, their performances became a heartfelt send-off to a cherished colleague and friend—honoring his memory in the most meaningful way possible.
New York Post
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Days of Our Lives' cast shot funeral for Drake Hogestyn's character while actor was dying of cancer
When life imitates art. While Drake Hogestyn was dying of pancreatic cancer last year, the 'Days of Our Lives' cast and crew filmed his character John Black's funeral as they prepared to also say goodbye to the actor himself. Hogestyn's family, according to Variety, agreed to executive producer Ken Corday's plan for the actor's on-screen send-off. Advertisement 8 Drake Hogestyn in 'Days of Our Lives.' Peacock 'Drake, as the consummate storyteller that he is, said, 'Absolutely. You gotta tell the story,'' Eric Martsoff, who played Hogestyn's son Brady, told the outlet in an interview published Monday. 'Drake knew what he was facing,' Martsoff, 53, continued. 'He understood that this is a story fans would want to be told. So Drake graciously said, 'Yes, let's do it.' But knowing that this man was on the planet, and we were literally taping his funeral and his death, that was hard. It was really hard.' Advertisement 8 Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) next to a dying John Black. Peacock 8 Deidre Hall as Dr. Marlena Evans Black and Drake Hogestyn as John Black. Black's funeral scenes airing this week were shot over three days in September. The following weekend, Hogestyn passed away at age 70. 'There was literally zero acting going on during those three days,' Martsoff said. 'Everyone was holding hands to the point where our hands were getting white.' Advertisement 8 Drake Hogestyn in 'Days of Our Lives.' ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection On the June 2 episode of the soap opera, Black was injured in a lab explosion as he tried to help Steve (Stephen Nichols) discover a drug to save Bo (Peter Reckell). He later flatlined in a hospital with his wife, Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), close by his side. Black's body was completely covered in gauze to sidestep the fact that the character was no longer being played by Hogestyn. 8 John Black's death scene in 'Days of Our Lives.' Peacock Advertisement Martha Madison, who played Black's daughter, Bella, told Variety the 'Days' team felt a 'responsibility' to honor the character the right way. 'The fact that we were losing Drake at the same time, it was very hard on us emotionally, as we're losing someone we really love,' the 47-year-old actress explained. 'We didn't really have to perform. It wasn't like we were having to dig for anything. It was just all right there.' Madison also noted that shooting Black's funeral scenes was the cast's way of saying goodbye to Hogestyn. 8 The cast of 'Days of Our Lives.' 8 Mary Beth Evans and Drake Hogestyn at the 50th Daytime Emmy Awards in 2023. Getty Images 'None of us were able to really see him or be with him towards the end. This was our opportunity to do it as a family, and do it together,' she shared. 'And I thought it was so beautifully written — all of the flashbacks and really honoring his whole 40-year career on that show,' Madison added. 'It was all just very special.' 8 Drake Hogestyn, Deidre Hall in 'Days of Our Lives.' ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement The show's official Instagram page announced Hogestyn's heartbreaking passing on September 28, just one day before his 71st birthday. 'It's with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn,' the statement read. 'He was thrown the curveball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination.' Hogestyn joined 'Days of Our Lives' in 1986. He appeared on the hit soap opera for 38 years and filmed over 4,200 episodes.
New York Post
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Drake Hogestyn's ‘Days of Our Lives' character killed off 8 months after actor's death
Like sands through the hourglass. 'Days of Our Lives' officially killed off Drake Hogestyn's character, John Black, on Monday. The emotional episode came eight months after Hogestyn passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 70 on September 28, 2024, and it saw Black flatline in a hospital with his wife, Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), close by his side. 7 Drake Hogestyn as John Black and Deidre Hall as Marlena Evans on 'Days of Our Lives.' Peacock 7 The actor portraying John Black in his farewell episode was completely covered in gauze to sidestep the fact that the character was no longer being played by Hogestyn. Peacock 'You have put up the bravest fight I have ever seen,' Evans told her dying husband in the character's final scene. 'I know you're weary. I know you're suffering. If you need to go, it's okay.' Black was injured in a lab explosion days before his death as he tried to help Steve (Stephen Nichols) discover a drug to save Bo (Peter Reckell). His body was completely covered in gauze to sidestep the fact that the character was no longer being played by Hogestyn. 7 Hogestyn joined 'Days of Our Lives' in 1986, appeared on the hit soap opera for 38 years and filmed over 4,200 episodes. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection 'We will always have you in our memories,' Hall's character, who married Hogestyn's character six times, said. 'We will always hold you in our hearts. You can rest now.' A montage of the two 'Days of Our Lives' characters' decades-long love story also played just before Black flatlined and was officially killed off. 'I know. I know,' Hall, 77, wrote on Instagram after the episode aired this week. 'Hardest day ever.' 7 Hogestyn and Hall's soap opera characters married six times in the series. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection Reckell, who returned to 'Days of Our Lives' as Bo for the first time since 2023 for the touching episode, said there was 'no acting required' when it came time to say goodbye to Hogestyn's character in the wake of the actor's actual passing. 'It's still difficult to talk about because Drake touched everybody in his sphere so closely, and he was my brother and one of my best friends,' Reckell, 70, told TV Insider. 'Having his memorial, there was no acting required in those scenes, because you're saying things as the character that parallel your feelings in your personal relationship.' 'When I went to John's memorial and all these emotions came up, I just wanted to run away and be by myself and feel those feelings,' he added. 'To have to do it as a character was really difficult.' 7 'I know. I know,' Hall wrote on Instagram after the emotional episode aired. 'Hardest day ever.' Peacock The popular soap opera's executive producer, Ken Corday, previously revealed that John Black's death scene was a direct result of Hogestyn's real-life battle with pancreatic cancer. Corday, 74, told Soap Opera Digest in November that Hogestyn 'signed off' on his character's death scene shortly before he succumbed to his diagnosis. Hogestyn's final 'Days of Our Lives' episode before his death aired on September 9, 2024. It saw his character share several emotional moments with his on-screen grandson, Tate (Leo Howard). 7 Hogestyn as John Black and Hall as Dr. Marlena Evans during Smokey Robinson's Season 41 guest appearance on the popular soap opera. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection The show's official Instagram page announced Hogestyn's heartbreaking passing on September 28, just one day before his 71st birthday. 'It's with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn,' the statement read. 'He was thrown the curveball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination.' 7 Hogestyn passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 70 on September 28, 2024. Peacock 'After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones,' it continued. 'He was the most amazing husband, father, papa and actor. 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,' the statement concluded. Hogestyn joined 'Days of Our Lives' in 1986. He appeared on the hit soap opera for 38 years and filmed over 4,200 episodes.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kirsten Storms Commemorates the Death of TV Dad Drake Hogestyn: "It Doesn't Feel Real"
Actress Kirsten Storms is speaking out about the deep influence of working with her late former on-screen father, Drake Hogestyn , who is best remembered for playing iconic character John Black on Days of Our Lives. In an interview with TV Insider recently, Storms, aged 41, expressed fond memories and sadness over Hogestyn's death in September 2024 at 70 years old. "Not that I haven't gotten over him dying, but I just think because I hadn't seen him in a while, I feel like it's not real that he's dead," Storms confessed. "He just was my favorite person there and a legend. So happy and always in a good mood. And ready." Storms played Belle Black on Days of Our Lives from 1999 to 2004, the years during which Hogestyn appeared as her on-screen father. Their friendship, though, went far beyond the soundstage. "He did his 100 percent best job always," she went on. "I was really upset when I heard he had passed. But again, I don't feel like that's even set in for me, really." Adding a personal touch to their relationship, Storms shared she bonded with Hogestyn and his family early in her career, partially because of an actual romance with his son. I dated Ben Hogestyn, who is Drake's son, for a couple of years, and I got to see a lot of Drake and his family," she remembered. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "It was special. He was so nice and warm. Drake Hogestyn, a soap opera icon, had a legacy that spanned more than three decades. He was liked by everyone, professional, and a true artist. He stood out among colleagues and was a popular favorite. For Storms, the years that she spent with him were shaping. "He brought such energy and love to the set. I learned a lot just by watching him," she said. As the soap opera world and longtime viewers mourn the passing of Hogestyn, Storms' comments are a poignant tribute to a man who touched so many hearts both on and off the screen. "He was just one of those special individuals you never forget," she whispered. "And I won't.
Pink Villa
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Kirsten Storms Reacts to Days of Our Lives Co-Star Drake Hogestyn's Sudden Death: ‘I Don't Feel Like…'
Trigger Warning: This article contains mention of death. Kirsten Storms reflected on the death of her former TV dad and Days of Our Lives co-star, Drake Hogestyn. The actress worked with the late veteran star from 1999 to 2004. In a conversation with Insider TV, Storms shared that the news did not feel real to her. The actress revealed that she got to know the late actor personally during their time on the sets of the daily soap. Hogestyn passed away in September 2024 after suffering from pancreatic cancer. The actor was 70 at the time of his death. While talking to the media portal, the actress revealed, 'I think because I hadn't seen him in a while, I feel like it's not real that he's gone.' She further stated, 'He just was my favorite person there and a legend. So happy and always in a good mood. And prepared.' Storms shared that the late actor gave his 100% at his work and that she was really sad when she heard the news of Hogestyn passing away. Apart from sharing a close bond with the actor, the Zenon alum revealed that she even dated Hogestyn's son. Elaborating on the statements, the actress noted, 'I dated Drake's son, Ben [Hogestyn] for a couple of years, and I got to spend a lot of time with Drake and his family.' The late veteran actor was one of the prominent people in the show and played the character of John Black for 38 years. In his statement to People Magazine, the executive producer of Days of Our Lives stated that Hogestyn was an ultimate team player, and he will be dearly missed. The producer, Ken Corday, mentioned, '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." Speaking about her time on the show, Kirsten Storms shared that it was her first time playing the role at such an intense pace. She also won the Soap Opera Digest Award for Best Child Actor in 2001.
