When I was a teenager during the summertime, I used to watch Days of Our Lives.
The long-running series has showcased many vibrant characters over the years, and Drake Hogestyn was undoubtedly one of the most memorable.
Now we mourn the loss of this beloved star, who passed away just one day shy of his 71st birthday.
Donald Drake Hogestyn, known to many as John Black from Days of Our Lives, left an indelible mark on the world of daytime television.
After an incredible 38 years and nearly 4,300 episodes on the iconic show, his passing just one day before his 71st birthday has left fans heartbroken.
Born in 1953 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Hogestyn was destined for greatness from a young age, with a father who hailed from New York and a devoted mother who nurtured his talents.
Hogestyn’s journey to stardom began in the 1980s when he ventured into acting with Columbia Pictures. In a talent search that attracted 75,000 hopefuls, he emerged as one of just 30 selected, securing a significant role in the prime-time series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Drafted by Yankees
However, what many fans might not know is that before he captivated audiences on screen, Hogestyn was a promising baseball player who had even been drafted by the New York Yankees. As a skilled third baseman in their minor league system, it seemed he was on the path to playing at Yankee Stadium. Yet, an unexpected injury shattered those dreams, steering him toward a different kind of spotlight.
In 1986, Hogestyn made his mark on Days of Our Lives, first appearing as a mysterious character known as “The Pawn.”
Audiences were excited, and Hogestyn quickly became a fan favorite, transforming into the iconic John Black. Over the years, he navigated dramatic storylines filled with amnesia, espionage, and intense relationships, making him one of the most recognizable faces in daytime television.
His on-screen romance with longtime co-star Deidre Hall, known for her portrayal of Marlena, became a defining element of the series and established them as a true supercouple on daytime television.
Hogestyn’s talent earned him numerous nominations for Soap Opera Digest Awards, with multiple wins for Favorite Hero and Favorite Couple alongside Hall.
Why was he fired?
In 2008, fans were stunned when it was announced that Hogestyn and Hall had been let go from Days of Our Lives due to budget cuts. However, the demand for their return was undeniable, and they rejoined the show a few years later, much to the delight of their devoted fans. Tragically, Hogestyn made his final appearance on the soap on September 9, 2024, just weeks before his passing.
Drake and his wife, Victoria, shared a deep love that began when he was just 15 years old and she was only 12. ”We were meant to be,” he once said in an interview, capturing the essence of their enduring bond. They married in 1986, the same year Hogestyn joined Days of Our Lives, and together they raised four children.
Cause of death
Sadly, Drake Hogestyn’s life came to an end due to pancreatic cancer on September 28, 2024, in Los Angeles.
His family announced the news with heavy hearts, saying, ”He was thrown the curveball 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.”
As we remember Drake Hogestyn, we celebrate the joy and inspiration he brought into our lives, both through his unforgettable performances and the love he shared with his family. He will forever remain a cherished part of television history and in the hearts of his fans.
My condolences to his family, friends, coworkers and fans! Rest in peace, Drake!
THE EVOLVING FACE OF NICK NOLTE: UNRECOGNIZABLE FROM HIS 1970S HEARTTHROB DAYS
Nick Nolte is famous for playing strong and confident characters now, but a long time ago, he was a big heartthrob. Today, the skilled actor is 82 years old, and I have to tell you, he looks quite different from how he did back in the 1970s when he was considered a heartthrob.
I really admire Nick Nolte’s incredible talent – he’s truly one of the best actors in American cinema history.
I like how his face, with its strong, square jaw and distinct features, along with his untamed and wild hair, gives him a powerful and almost barbaric look, like a character from a Shakespeare play.
What makes his acting so captivating is his ability to be versatile and the deep emotions you can see in his eyes. Nick always delivers performances that are genuine and honest. If we check his achievements, it’s clear that many people appreciate his acting skills.
In 1991, Nolte won a big award called the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Dramatic Movie. He was also considered for another major award, the Academy Award for Best Actor, for his role in the 1991 film The Prince of Tides.
Nick Nolte used to be a really well-known actor, especially for his strong roles in movies like Affliction and Warrior, which got him nominated for big awards like the Academy Award.
But today, he’s different from the time when he won the Golden Globe. In 2002, a famous messy picture of him taken by the police hurt his reputation. He also had some legal and personal problems that made things even more difficult.
For younger people, it might be surprising to learn that in the 1970s, Nolte was seen as the ideal American hero. He was even called the Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine.
So, how did Nick Nolte become so famous?
In high school, he wasn’t really into acting, according to his football coach in Omaha. Back then, he was good at playing football but was described as a “skinny, awkward kid with a crew cut.”
Nolte himself says he was very shy and never felt comfortable in groups when he was a kid. School was tough for him, and only later in life did he find out he had dyslexia.
The handsome Nolte, born in Omaha, Nebraska, on February 8, 1941, got his big breakthrough in the TV miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man (1976). Not long after that, he became a household name and an American heartthrob.
However, he started working as a model in the 1960s. One of his most famous shots came while he cut an impressive figure together with Sigourney Weaver for Clairol’s “Summer Blonde” hair coloring campaign back in 1972. According to Eighties Kids, the commercial remains the only time a man has ever appeared on a box of women’s hair dye.
Even though Nick Nolte wasn’t well-known at first, he got a big break when he was chosen for a show called Rich Man, Poor Man. In the series, he played Rudy’s brother Tom and portrayed the character with the charm of a true American hero.
This show completely changed Nolte’s life. He became very popular, especially with the ladies, for his role as the classic bad boy, Tom. To fit the part, he had to work hard on his body. When he played the younger version of his character, he weighed around 150 pounds.
Nolte shared, “I remember the different stages I went through for Rich Man, Poor Man. That was the biggest span in age. It went from 16 to 45. Physically, I thought of the weight I was as a sophomore in high school, which was 150 pounds. So I dropped down to that weight and got that boy body back. I ran around that Hollywood reservoir day and night,” as he told Insider in 2022.
After the success of Rich Man, Poor Man, Nick Nolte, who comes from Nebraska, kept proving he was a fantastic actor, always giving great performances. In 1982, he became a huge star in Hollywood with the action-comedy 48 Hrs.
This movie, where Nolte acted alongside Eddie Murphy, was a big deal in many ways.
“What’s not often talked about with 48 Hrs. is that it’s the first film where black and white people criticize each other,” Nolte explained in 2011.
“After Civil Rights, it was awkward for white and black people. We didn’t know how to talk to each other.”
In the 1990s, Nick Nolte was at the top of his career. He was a big star, making lots of money, and everyone respected him as an actor.
But in the 2000s, things changed. Nolte became known for more than just his work in movies and TV,
He lived up to his reputation as one of Hollywood’s bad boys. The actor faced personal problems, went through three divorces, and got arrested a few times.
Despite being named the ‘sexiest man alive’ by Hollywood, he ended up in the news for a memorable photo taken by the police.
However, since 2002, Nick has been sober.
“At one point, I was really down, and I let things slide,” Nolte explained.
“I used to drink when things got tough – like dealing with relationships or when projects didn’t work out. I even used alcohol to cope with loneliness and the ironic kind of isolation that comes with being a celebrity.”
In the last few years, Nick Nolte has been in smaller roles and he looks quite different from when he was a big Hollywood star.
Now, the experienced actor lives in a treehouse in the lovely city of Malibu, California. He built the house himself and shares it with his wife, Clytie Lane.
The star of The Prince of Tides likes to be with his kids and he enjoys reading and being outside. Nick has a son named Brawley Nolte (born in 1986) and a daughter named Sophia Lane Nolte (born in 2001).
Nick Nolte’s kids, Brawley and Sophia, tried out acting for a bit, and it seemed like they might follow in their dad’s footsteps.
Sophia even acted with her dad in a movie called Honey in the Head, where she played Nolte’s granddaughter.
“She’s like a little grown-up. Sometimes she calls me Grandpa instead of Daddy because all her friends’ dads are young. I’m almost 80. My son Brawley is in his 30s. He did some acting, but that’s not what he wanted. He’s studying to be a doctor,” Nolte shared with Saturday Evening Post.
Even though many years have gone by, Nick Nolte still has that mischievous smile, beautiful eyes, and a charming personality. At 82, he looks great and continues to do what he loves most – acting.
What’s cool is that he has a positive attitude about getting older.
“I don’t regret being old at all. I’m not having much trouble with age. I’m pretty comfortable with it, knowing that there’s one more big adventure to do. It’s kind of spooky, but I accept it. You fight like crazy until the end. I think you just have to keep moving and keep doing it,” he says.
In my opinion, Nick Nolte is often overlooked when people talk about top male actors.
Thank you for all the memories over the years, Nick! You are such a great actor and an articulate, cultured gentleman!
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