Drake Hogestyn, the soap icon who played John Black on Days of Our Lives since 1986, died last September from pancreatic cancer. Nine months later, John is finally being laid to rest on Days, and Hogestyn’s costars are opening up about the pain of shooting their onscreen father, grandfather, husband, and friend’s funeral while Hogestyn was dying off screen. The funeral scenes airing on Days this week were shot last fall while Hogestyn was succumbing to cancer. The actor’s family signed off on the plans for John’s funeral scenes that executive producer Ken Corday brought them.
“Drake, as the consummate storyteller that he is, said, ‘Absolutely. You gotta tell the story,'” Eric Marstolf, who has played John’s son Brady since 2008, told Variety on Monday. He explained that “Drake knew what he was facing. 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.”
Marstolf’s onscreen sister Martha Madison recalled, “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. We didn’t really have to perform. It wasn’t like we were having to dig for anything. It was just all right there.”
Marstolf concurred, noting, “There was literally zero acting going on during those three days… Everyone was holding hands to the point where our hands were getting white.”
Hogestyn first joined Days in 1986, his only significant prior screen role being a main part in the 1982-1983 musical series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Within a handful of years the Days producers struck gold after pairing Hogestyn with Deidre Hall, who’d played Marlena Evans on and off since 1976. The pair became a fan-favorite supercouple that always found their ways back to each other – up to the very end.
Due to Hogestyn’s death mid-season, John Black continued on, dispatching to Estonia on a spy mission for months and returning in May. The character was only shot from behind, and eventually sustained critical injuries in a lab explosion while trying to procure an experimental drug to save Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) from sepsis. Eventually John died in a hospital, covered head to toe in gauze and surrounded by his loved ones.
Hall mourned her costar of nearly 40 years shortly after his death, noting, “Marlena’s John is an iconic hero, unfailingly rescuing her from all matter of villains. My acting partner was incredibly professional from the moment he entered the studio, flawless in his preparation and ready for any eventuality in any scene.” Commemorating the June 2 episode depicting John’s death, Hall posted a solemn black square to her Instagram account bearing the words, “I know. I know. Hardest day ever.” Despite the tragedy of Hogestyn’s death and the pain of filming his character’s funeral, Madison appreciates that Days was able to give the legendary actor a fitting sendoff.
“None of us were able to really see him or be with him towards the end,” she told Variety. “This was our opportunity to do it as a family, and do it together. And I thought it was so beautifully written — all of the flashbacks and really honoring his whole 40-year career on that show. It was all just very special.”
A Goodbye Like No Other: The On-Screen Funeral That Felt All Too Real
There are moments in television history that blur the line between fiction and reality—and this is one of them. Days of Our Lives, a soap opera that’s delivered drama for decades, recently faced one of its most emotionally charged storylines yet: the funeral of the beloved character John Black, portrayed by none other than Drake Hogestyn.
But here’s the heart-wrenching twist—the funeral was filmed while the actor himself was reportedly gravely ill. According to cast members, the experience was deeply emotional and almost too real.
Who Is Drake Hogestyn? A Soap Opera Legend Remembered
The Man Behind John Black
Drake Hogestyn has been a fan-favorite on Days of Our Lives since 1986. As John Black, he was a mysterious figure turned hero, romantic lead, and moral compass of Salem.
His Impact on Daytime Television
From battling amnesia to alien conspiracies (yes, it’s a soap), Hogestyn’s character was central to many of the show’s most iconic moments. His chemistry with co-star Deidre Hall (Dr. Marlena Evans) was nothing short of legendary.
The Emotional Toll on the Cast
‘Very Hard On Us’: Co-Stars Share Their Pain
According to inside sources and cast interviews, filming the funeral scene was one of the most challenging days on set. One cast member reportedly said, “It felt like we were saying goodbye to the man, not just the character.”
Deidre Hall’s Emotional Breakdown
Deidre Hall, who shared decades of scenes with Hogestyn, was visibly shaken. Her on-screen tears weren’t acting—they were real.
When Fiction Mirrors Reality
How Close Was Drake to Death During Filming?
While details are scarce due to privacy, insiders claim Drake’s health had significantly declined during production. The timing made the funeral scene painfully prophetic.
The Line Between Actor and Role Was Blurred
Actors often bring personal experiences to their roles, but rarely are the parallels so stark. The grief captured on camera was a mirror of real-life heartache.
Fans React to the Tragic Coincidence
Social Media in Shock
As the funeral episode aired, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to share their heartbreak. “I cried real tears,” one user wrote. “This didn’t feel like acting. It felt like mourning.”
Petitions and Tributes Flood In
Petitions to honor Drake Hogestyn with a special Emmy or a permanent tribute in the show’s credits began circulating almost instantly.
The Show Must Go On – But At What Cost?
Ethical Dilemma or Honoring His Legacy?
Some fans questioned whether filming the scene while Drake was seriously ill was appropriate. Others argued it was a loving tribute while he was still alive to appreciate it.
Behind-the-Scenes Respect and Reverence
Sources say the set was unusually quiet during the shoot. “No one cracked jokes. No one broke character. We were mourning,” one crew member shared.
Drake Hogestyn’s Health Journey
A History of Injuries and Setbacks
Drake previously suffered a serious head injury in 2016 that temporarily took him off the show. This most recent decline reportedly came swiftly and caught many off guard.
Privacy and Grace
The Hogestyn family has kept most details private, focusing instead on thanking fans for their continued love and support.
Legacy Cemented: What Drake Leaves Behind
A Devoted Fan Base
From supercouple moments to edge-of-your-seat drama, Drake gave fans countless reasons to keep tuning in. His legacy on Days of Our Lives is unmatched.
A Lasting Influence on Daytime TV
Few actors can claim the kind of career longevity or fan devotion that Hogestyn earned over nearly four decades.
Why This Scene Will Go Down in Soap Opera History
Not Just Another Episode
This wasn’t your run-of-the-mill soap opera goodbye. It was raw, painful, and too real for words. That’s what makes it unforgettable.
A Cultural Moment Beyond Daytime TV
Even casual viewers or those unfamiliar with the show found themselves deeply moved. This moment transcended daytime television—it became human drama at its purest.
The Power of Storytelling in Life and Death
Soap Operas Reflect Real Life—Sometimes Too Closely
While soaps often get a bad rap for being over-the-top, this moment reminded viewers why they matter. They tell stories about love, loss, and the human condition.
Art Imitates Life—And Vice Versa
As Shakespeare once said, “All the world’s a stage.” In this case, the performance became painfully real.
