'Days of Our Lives' veteran: Actor dies of pancreatic cancer

“Days of our Lives” actor Drake Hogestyn has died a day before his 71st birthday.

The family of the longtime soap star, who appeared in nearly 4,300 episodes, shared a statement on the show's social media Saturday night.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. He experienced the turning point of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he met the challenge with incredible strength and determination. After putting up an incredible fight, he passed away peacefully surrounded by our loved ones.

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Drake Hogestyn portrayed John Black on Days of our Lives in nearly 4,300 episodes. (Evans Vestal Ward/Peacock via Getty Images)

“He was the greatest husband, father, dad and actor. He loved performing for the Days audience and sharing the stage with the best cast, crew and production team in the industry,” the family wrote.

Deidre Hall as Marlena Evans and Drake Hogestyn as John Black were a power couple on television for decades. (Evans Vestal Ward/Peacock/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

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In 1986, Hogestyn took on the role of John Black – an undercover agent for a fictional secret service unit. His character attracted a lot of interest because of his dramatic backstory; Black was actually Roman Brady (played by Wayne Northrop), who had died two years earlier in the series. After plastic surgery and amnesia, he reappeared as a new man. He and Deirdre Hall married on the series and were one of the most popular couples on television.

The actor briefly exited Days of our Lives in 2009 but returned in 2011.

Several of Hogestyn's current and former co-stars mourned the actor's death. Alison Sweeney, who left the program in 2022, shared her heartache on X, writing in part: “(Drake) cared about every single scene, every single person.”

His TV son Christopher Sean called Hogestyn a “true hero.”

His TV daughter Martha Madison wrote a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.

“One of my favorite Drake memories is from not too long ago,” she wrote in part. “He knew I was super nervous as I prepared to deliver a five-page dying monologue, and after we finished the scene (both soaked in tears and snot), he gave me a big hug and whispered, 'Boy, that was it.' so.' “The moment you hear the crack of the bat against a long ball flying into the stands and the crowd goes wild.”

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Australian actor Dan Feuerriegel, who only joined the series in 2021, noted how friendly the veteran actor was on set.

Mary Beth Evans and Drake Hogestyn attend the 50th Daytime Emmy Awards in December 2023. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Hogestyn is survived by his childhood sweetheart Victoria and their four children and grandchildren.