Days Of Our Lives
Days of Our Lives: Drake Hogestyn Helped Plan John Black’s Final Story Before His Passing
DAYS EP Ken Corday shares how Drake Hogestyn helped plan John Black’s farewell while battling illness. Plus, Deidre Hall opens up about filming the emotional scenes. Read more about the spring 2024 storyline.
A STAR’S FINAL ACT OF DEDICATION
In a touching revelation that shows just how dedicated Drake Hogestyn was to Days of Our Lives fans, we’re learning that the beloved actor helped plan his character’s final storyline before his passing on September 28. Talk about leaving one last gift for the faithful viewers who followed John Black’s journey for nearly four decades!
BEHIND THE SCENES OF A DIFFICULT DECISION
DAYS Executive Producer Ken Corday recently opened up about the challenging but necessary task of crafting John Black’s exit story while Drake was battling pancreatic cancer. “We were rolling the dice,” Corday shared with Soap Opera Digest, acknowledging the delicate nature of portraying a character’s death while the actor was still fighting for his life off-screen. But here’s the thing that makes this story even more poignant – Drake himself was fully on board with the plan.
TRUST AND HOPE IN THE MIDST OF STRUGGLE
Can you imagine the emotional weight of those conversations? Yet in true John Black fashion, Drake faced this challenge head-on. “He trusted me,” Corday revealed, explaining how Drake gave his blessing to the storyline. There was even hope woven into the planning – had Drake won his battle with cancer, the show was prepared to take the story in a different direction. That’s so perfectly DAYS, isn’t it? Always leaving the door open for another twist!
NINE MONTHS OF UNCERTAINTY
For nine months, fans wondered about John Black’s absence from Salem. Now we know that during this time, Drake was fighting the battle of his life. The show had to find a way to explain why such a central character was missing from the canvas, leading to the difficult decision to craft this farewell story.
DEIDRE HALL’S EMOTIONAL JOURNEY
But here’s where it gets even more heart-wrenching – Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans) recently shared insights about filming John’s death and funeral scenes while Drake was still with us. “Drake was still with us,” she told Soap Opera Digest, explaining how she approached those emotional moments. “I know Ken had promised him a place to come back. He was looking forward to coming back, and he was fighting the good fight. So we had not said good-bye to him yet.”
A LEGACY OF LOVE AND DEDICATION
The loss hit especially hard as Drake passed away just one day before what would have been his 71st birthday. Since 1986, with just a brief break from 2009-2011, he brought John Black to life with an intensity and charm that made the character unforgettable. Remember when we first met him as “The Pawn”? Who could have guessed he’d become one of Salem’s most beloved residents?
HONORING A BELOVED MEMBER OF THE DAYS FAMILY
In a recent conversation with People, Hall revealed that “lovely tribute shows” have been filmed to honor her former co-star. She beautifully captured what makes DAYS so special, describing it as a family-run show where losses are shared with the viewers. “We’ve lost Bill [Hayes], we’ve lost Drake. You’ll share that with us,” she explained. “That’s, I think, comforting for the audience to know that they are part of that legacy and part of that future.”
A FINAL FAREWELL CRAFTED WITH LOVE
As we prepare to watch John Black’s farewell storyline this spring, it’s incredibly touching to know that Drake helped shape these final moments for his character. It’s one last gift from an actor who gave so much to his role and his fans, ensuring that John Black’s exit would honor both the character and the viewers who loved him.
THE LASTING IMPACT OF A SALEM LEGEND
For now, we can take comfort in knowing that Drake’s final storyline will be exactly what he wanted it to be – a fitting tribute to both the actor and the character who kept us glued to our screens for nearly 40 years. And isn’t that just like Drake? Taking care of his DAYS family right until the end.
What are your thoughts on this bittersweet news? How do you hope to see John Black’s story conclude? Share your memories of Drake’s most memorable moments as John in the comments below.
