The passing and subsequent funeral of John Black on 'Days of Our Lives' was shot while actor Drake Hogestyn was still alive — and on his deathbed.

When life imitates art. While Drake Hogestyn was dying of pancreatic cancer last year, the “Days of Our Lives” cast and crew filmed his character John Black’s funeral as they prepared to say ...

Executive producer Ken Corday approached Hogestyn’s family and got permission to bring John’s story to an end this way, and they signed off on it. “Drake, as the consummate storyteller that ...

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 ...

Although that in itself is worth plenty of tears, it’s the passing of Drake Hogestyn, who played him for 40 years, last September at 70 from pancreatic cancer that adds the real heartbreak to ...

Although that in itself is worth plenty of tears, it’s the passing of Drake Hogestyn, who played him for 40 years, last September at 70 from pancreatic cancer that adds the real heartbreak to this ...

ISA agent John Black is being given a loving funeral on Days of Our Lives during the week of June 9, 2025. This also marks the final farewell of Drake Hogestyn, the actor who played John Black for ...

But Drake said he was busy, he had something going on.” John Black’s Final Act Eventually, Ashford found out the devastating news that Hogestyn had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Drake Hogestyn, the soap icon who played John Black on Days of Our Lives since 1986, died last September from pancreatic cancer.