Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsDrake Hogestyn, the actor best known for playing John Black on Days of Our Lives, died on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at age 70. His family said he had been battling pancreatic cancer and died peacefully in Los Angeles surrounded by loved ones. The death came one day before Hogestyn’s 71st birthday.
Hogestyn’s family confirmed the news, with the announcement shared through the official Days of Our Lives Instagram account, according to ABC News. He spent approximately 38 years associated with the NBC daytime drama, becoming one of its most recognizable long-term stars.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Intimate Audrey: An Authorized Biography | $15.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Inside Out: A Candid Story of Fame, Addiction, and Resilience in the Hollywood Spotlight | $9.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Star of the Show: My Life on Stage | $27.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Love, Lucy (Berkley Boulevard Celebrity Autobiography) | $8.36 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
In Pieces | $15.33 | Buy on Amazon |
What happened to Drake Hogestyn?
Hogestyn died on September 28, 2024. He was 70 years old and would have turned 71 the following day, September 29, 2024. His family said he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and described the illness as a major challenge. They said he died peacefully with loved ones around him.
The Associated Press reported that his family confirmed the death. The Los Angeles Times also reported that Hogestyn had been battling pancreatic cancer and died Saturday morning in Los Angeles. Later reporting from TMZ identified pancreatic cancer as the official cause of death.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
Public reports do not establish additional medical details about his treatment or diagnosis, so those details should not be inferred.
His defining role was John Black on Days of Our Lives
Hogestyn joined the world of Days of Our Lives in the 1980s and became most closely identified with John Black, a character at the center of many of the show’s most dramatic stories. The Associated Press described his run as 38 years, while the Los Angeles Times characterized it as nearly four decades.
John Black was repeatedly placed in extraordinary situations involving shifting identities, hidden histories, romances, family conflicts and other high-stakes twists typical of the long-running Salem drama. Hogestyn’s ability to anchor those storylines helped make John one of the program’s most familiar figures.
For viewers, his significance was not limited to a single storyline or season. He was one of the performers who gave the series continuity across generations of daytime television audiences. TV Insider’s biography also documents television work outside the soap opera, although his decades as John Black remained the central achievement of his public career.
Rank #2
A fan-facing presence beyond the television screen
Hogestyn also maintained a visible relationship with the show’s fans. In 2019, Minor League Baseball promoted an appearance at an Eastwood Field game where he was scheduled to throw out the first pitch and sign autographs. The event, documented by Minor League Baseball, illustrates his accessibility at fan events without establishing that he operated a permanent memorabilia or autograph business.
He was also connected to another beloved television performer through Days of Our Lives. During Dick Van Dyke’s 2023 appearance on the show, Peacock described Hogestyn as an acquaintance and gym friend of Van Dyke. It was a small but memorable human-interest detail in a career otherwise defined by Hogestyn’s work in Salem.
John Black’s fictional farewell came after Hogestyn’s death
One important distinction can be confusing for viewers: Drake Hogestyn’s real-life death and John Black’s story on Days of Our Lives occurred on different timelines.
Daytime dramas are produced substantially in advance. As a result, the series continued releasing episodes after Hogestyn died in September 2024. The show later gave John Black a fictional farewell in 2025. Peacock’s listings show a June 2025 storyline in which Salem prepared to say goodbye to John, followed by funeral-related episodes; its listings also include a July 31, 2025 episode titled around John’s funeral service. See the Peacock episode listing for that later broadcast material.
Rank #3
Subsequent entertainment reporting said the program had filmed John Black’s funeral material before Hogestyn’s death, with the storyline intended to provide a conclusion for the character. That production detail should be understood as later reporting about the show’s schedule, not as evidence that Hogestyn filmed a final farewell or personally approved every element of the story.
Where to watch Drake Hogestyn’s Days of Our Lives work
In the United States, NBC’s help center identifies Peacock as the exclusive streaming home for Days of Our Lives. NBC says episodes are available on weekdays with a Premium plan.
Streaming catalogs, subscription requirements and regional availability can change. Peacock is the official route identified by NBC, but that does not necessarily mean that every historical episode featuring Hogestyn or a complete John Black archive is currently available in every location. Viewers should check the platform’s current listings and plan terms before subscribing.
Viewing note: If you are looking for Hogestyn’s work, search Peacock’s current Days of Our Lives listings for John Black-related episodes and verify availability in your region. This is service information, not a claim that a complete historical archive is currently offered.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #4
A lasting daytime-television legacy
Drake Hogestyn’s career was built on unusual longevity. For roughly four decades, he returned to a character whose identity and circumstances could change dramatically while remaining emotionally recognizable to the audience. That combination—an enduring role, a long-running program and a strong connection with fans—made him a defining presence in modern daytime television.
His family remembered him not only as an actor but as a husband, father and grandfather. For Days of Our Lives viewers, his death marked the loss of the performer who made John Black one of Salem’s most enduring figures. The character’s later farewell offered the show a fictional goodbye, but Hogestyn’s real legacy rests in the many years he spent bringing John to life.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
When did Drake Hogestyn die?
Drake Hogestyn died on September 28, 2024, at age 70. He died one day before his 71st birthday.
What was Drake Hogestyn’s cause of death?
His family said he had been battling pancreatic cancer. Later reporting identified pancreatic cancer as the official cause of death. No additional medical details should be assumed beyond what was publicly reported.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Best Value
Who did Drake Hogestyn play on Days of Our Lives?
He played John Black, one of the long-running NBC soap opera’s best-known and most frequently featured characters.
Where can viewers watch Days of Our Lives?
NBC identifies Peacock as the exclusive U.S. streaming home for Days of Our Lives. Availability, subscription requirements and the historical episode catalog may vary by region and change over time.
The Bottom Line
Drake Hogestyn died on September 28, 2024, at 70 after his family said he had been battling pancreatic cancer. His nearly four-decade portrayal of John Black made him one of Days of Our Lives’ most enduring stars, and the character’s fictional farewell aired later because the series is produced in advance.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
