Actor Drake Hogestyn tragically passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer, but before his death, he reportedly approved of his Days of Our Lives character also dying. Executive producer Ken Corday explained that it was a difficult decision to tell the story of a character’s death while the actor was still alive, but they needed a reason for John’s absence on the show as he hadn’t been on for nine months. Corday reached out to Hogestyn before writing the script, and he was fully in favor of the storyline. If Hogestyn had beaten the cancer, he would have returned to the show in a different capacity.
Hogestyn’s family released a statement after his passing, praising his incredible strength and determination in facing the challenge of pancreatic cancer. He was described as an amazing husband, father, papa, and actor who loved performing for the Days audience and working with the cast, crew, and production team. Hogestyn appeared in over 4,200 episodes of Days of Our Lives since his debut in 1986, becoming a beloved and integral part of the show. His family expressed their love for him and their sadness at his passing.
Filming John’s funeral for an upcoming episode was particularly difficult for Deidre Hall, who plays Marlena on Days of Our Lives and had a decades-long relationship with John’s character. Hall explained that she was not ready to say goodbye to Hogestyn as he was still fighting and looking forward to returning to the show. The emotions were raw and real for the cast and crew, as Hogestyn had been a significant part of the show for many years. The news of his passing was a shock to everyone involved with the show.
The decision to have John’s character also die on the show was a tough one, but it was important to honor Hogestyn’s legacy and contribution to Days of Our Lives. According to Corday, Hogestyn had the utmost trust in him and the team to tell the story authentically and respectfully. The soap opera world is known for its dramatic and emotional storylines, and dealing with the death of a character when the actor has also passed away is a unique and challenging situation. The cast and crew were deeply affected by the loss of Hogestyn both personally and professionally.
The love and respect for Hogestyn as both an actor and a person were evident in the statements made by those who knew him. The impact of his passing was felt throughout the Days of Our Lives community, as fans mourned the loss of a talented and dedicated performer. The decision to have John’s character also pass away on the show was a way to honor his memory and pay tribute to his work on the long-running soap opera. The upcoming episodes featuring John’s funeral will be a poignant reminder of the impact that Hogestyn had on the show and its audience.
In the world of soap operas, where fiction often mirrors reality, the decision to have a character die on the show following the actor’s death is a complicated and delicate matter. The creative team behind Days of Our Lives faced this challenge with sensitivity and respect, ensuring that Hogestyn’s legacy was honored in a meaningful way. The news of his passing was a loss felt deeply by all those who had the privilege of knowing and working with him, and his contributions to the show will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.
