‘DOOL’ Drake Hogestyn Was On Deathbed As Soap Funeral Filmed
The cast and crew at Days of Our Lives found themselves in a uniquely heartbreaking situation last year. Actor Drake Hogestyn – who played John Black for nearly four decades – was diagnosed with cancer.
Usually, when an actor passes away, it’s unexpected, and the show is left floundering to explain the absence.
While Drake Hogestyn kept his cancer diagnosis private, he informed the DOOL head honchos and cast. He worked with them to write a fitting end to the character he played for so long.
John Black was injured during a meth lab explosion last month while getting life-saving medication for Bo Brady (Peter Reckell.)
He suffered severe burns all over his body. While he seemed to be getting better, John Black succumbed to injuries on the June 2nd episode.
The funeral for the fictional character began this week. In a new interview, Drake Hogestyn’s former co-stars open up about filming the scenes when the actor was literally on his deathbed.
Drake Hogestyn’s Last DOOL Episode
Drake Hogestyn passed away from pancreatic cancer in September 2024. He had only been diagnosed eight months earlier. Days of Our Lives fans were shocked by the news of his death.
While some fans thought he looked sick during his rare appearances on the soap throughout 2024, his illness wasn’t public knowledge.
His co-stars at the Peacock soap opera knew but kept quiet out of respect. After his death, his long-time co-star Deidre Hall opened up about filming with Drake Hogestyn while he was ill.
So, when John Black appeared on the episode that aired on September 9, 2024, viewers had no idea they’d never see him on screen again. The actor passed away in real life a little over two weeks later. His final scene was with Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Leo Howard (Tate.)
The episode was filmed at least six months earlier. DOOL has a very delayed schedule. The show typically films months in advance to keep production costs down.
Eric Martsolf Opens Up About Filming Funeral Scenes
The residents of Salem mourn John Black this week on DOOL. His friends and family began gathering at the cemetery for the service on Monday’s episode.
The tribute continues through the rest of the week. After the funeral, Salem residents gather at the Brady Pub for a wake.
Eric Martsolf and Martha Madison play two of John Black’s children, Brady and Belle. They opened up to Variety about filming the difficult funeral scenes.
According to the actors, Drake Hogestyn was on his deathbed when they were filming the funeral scenes that aired this week. “There was literally zero acting going on during those [scenes,]” Martsolf said.
If the tears and emotions seem very real, that’s why.
Sadly, Drake Hogestyn passed away just days after the funeral scenes were filmed. Eric Martsolf encouraged soap opera fans to watch this week’s episodes, no matter how difficult they are.
“Fans should tune in because we’re going to say goodbye to one of the most iconic men ever to hit daytime television. He was the epitome of a soap opera star on and off the stage, and the man deserves eyeballs, and he deserves that tribute.”
Days of Our Lives streams weekdays on Peacock.
