Drake Hogestyn's last Days of our Lives appearance has passed

As fans absorb the heartbreaking news of beloved Days of our Lives star Drake Hogestyn's death, they must also grapple with word that the last episode the actor taped already aired.

John's last stand on Days of our Lives

According to Soaps.com, September 9, 2024, marked Hogestyn's last on-screen appearance after 38 years as John Black. In that episode, John was in dad mode, having poignant talks with his grandson Tate and son Brady.

In the episode, Tate was distraught after inadvertently telling Holly that Eric was the drunk driver responsible for her father's death all those years ago. Tate believed he had ruined his relationship with Holly and confided in his grandfather. John gave the teen advice and encouraged him not to give up on Holly.

Later in the episode, Brady arrived home after being released from jail, and he and John embraced.

The end of Jarlena

The last scenes John and Marlena shared together were just a few days prior, on September 5. John had just been on the phone with his and Marlena's daughter, Belle. John was emotional after the call because he missed his "Tink," and Marlena was there to comfort him.

John and Marlena have been DAYS mainstays since 1986, when Hogestyn first joined the cast as "the Pawn." The bandaged man assumed the name John Black but was soon revealed to be Roman Brady. When Wayne Northrop, the original Roman, returned to Salem, the man who thought he was Roman went back to using the name John Black.

After trying marriage with the real Roman, Marlena later realized her feelings for John were too strong. Over the years, John and Marlena married multiple times and became one of the most popular pairings in soap opera history—as well as the rock of Days of our Lives.

Hogestyn's heartbreaking death

The soap world was stunned when news of Hogestyn's death hit social media on the evening of September 28, just one day before the actor's 71st birthday. The outpouring of love and tributes from co-stars and fans has been overwhelming. Upon Hogestyn's death, the family released the following statement:

"It's with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. He was thrown the curve ball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination. After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones."

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