Days Of Our Lives
DOOL News: RIP Drake Hogestyn: ‘Days of Our Lives’ Icon’s Final Episode Already Aired September 9th
Beloved ‘Days of Our Lives’ actor Drake Hogestyn passes away at 70. Discover details about his last appearance as John Black and the legacy he leaves behind in Salem.
Drake Hogestyn’s Final Curtain Call: A Bittersweet Farewell to Salem’s Beloved John Black
The Shocking News
Oh. My. Gosh. Fellow DOOL fans, grab your tissues because we’re about to dive into some heartbreaking news that’s shaken our soap world to its core. Are you sitting down? You might want to for this one.
Our beloved Drake Hogestyn, the man who brought John Black to life for nearly four decades, has taken his final bow. I know, I know – I can barely type this without my keyboard getting all blurry from the tears. Drake passed away on September 28th, just a day shy of his 71st birthday. Can you believe it? It feels like we’ve lost a member of our own family.
Now, here’s the kicker that’s got me all kinds of emotional: his final episode already aired! Yep, you read that right. On September 9th, 2024, we unknowingly watched Drake’s last scenes as John Black. Talk about a punch to the gut, right?
Drake’s Legacy in Salem
Let’s rewind for a sec and appreciate the magic Drake brought to our screens. Remember when he first swaggered into Salem back in ’86 as “The Pawn”? Who would’ve thought that mysterious character would evolve into the John Black we’ve come to know and love? It’s like we’ve been on this wild rollercoaster ride with him for nearly 40 years, and now… it’s over. I’m not crying, you’re crying!
And don’t even get me started on “Jarlena.” Drake and Deidre Hall (our eternal Marlena) were soap opera magic. Their chemistry was so electric, I’m surprised my TV didn’t short-circuit every time they shared a scene. How many times did we swoon, gasp, or yell at our screens because of those two? Too many to count, that’s for sure!
The Final Episode
Now, let’s talk about that final episode. Jason47 (bless that DAYS news guru) confirmed that Drake’s last scene was with Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Leo Howard (Tate) at the Townhouse. Tate was filling John in on the Holly drama, and then Brady came home from the Salem PD. It’s like the soap gods were giving us one last dose of that classic John Black family moment. If only we’d known then what we know now – we would’ve savored every second!
Drake’s journey to becoming a soap icon is as dramatic as any DAYS storyline. Did you know he started out as a minor league baseball player? Talk about a career curveball! But boy, are we glad he traded his baseball bat for a script. Over 4,000 episodes later, and he’s left an indelible mark on the soap world.
Castmate Tributes
The outpouring of love from his castmates just shows how much of a legend Drake truly was. Alison Sweeney (our fiery Sami) called him “an incredible man” who cared about every scene and every person. And Kristian Alfonso (Hope Brady herself) remembered him as “an incredible, passionate human being.” It’s clear Drake wasn’t just playing a hero on screen – he was one in real life too.
A Fond Farewell
As we say goodbye to Drake and John Black, it’s hard not to wonder how Salem will ever be the same. Will there be a time jump? A recast? (Gasp! The horror!) Or will John’s absence leave a void that can never be filled? Whatever happens, one thing’s for sure: Drake Hogestyn’s legacy will live on in every dramatic pause, every intense stare, and every “Doc” uttered on that soundstage.
So here’s to you, Drake. Thanks for the memories, the drama, and for being our hero, both on and off screen. Salem won’t be the same without you, but your spirit will live on in every episode, every flashback, and in the hearts of DAYS fans everywhere.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be over here ugly crying and binge-watching classic John Black scenes. Who’s with me?
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