Drake Hogestyn dies: 'Days of Our Lives' star was 70

Drake Hogestyn, who portrayed John Black on the beloved soap Give us a lives, died aged 70, a day before his 71st birthday tomorrow.

The news was confirmed via the long-running show's social media account, which released the statement: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Drake Hogestyn. She was thrown a curve ball in her life when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but she met the challenge with incredible strength and tenacity. After an incredible fight, he passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

“He was the most amazing husband, father, father and actor,” the statement continued. “He loved performing for the Days audience and sharing the stage with the greatest cast, crew and production team in the business.”

“We love him and we will miss him all the days of our lives,” concluded the message from the TV star's family.

Hogestyn first began playing John Black in 1986, with a hiatus from 2009 to 2011, after which he returned to the popular role until his death. His character's major turning point was the fact that he was actually the presumed-dead Roman Brady (portrayed by Wayne Northrop) after plastic surgery and memory loss.

Ken Corday, executive producer of the NBC-Peacock show, said in a statement to Soap Opera Digest, “This is very difficult for all of us. Hogey was the ultimate team player and there are not enough words to express how deeply he will be missed. His influence, personally and professionally, was profound and will forever be unmatched.”

Born Sept. 29, 1953, in Fort Wayne, Ind., the future soap veteran attended college on a baseball scholarship, where he double majored in microbiology and applied science with the goal of becoming an oral surgeon. He was drafted by two Major League Baseball teams (St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees).

An injury cut short his baseball career in 1977, leading him to move into entertainment. His entry began by being selected as one of 30 actors in a pool of 75,000 applicants for a nationwide talent search conducted by Columbia Pictures. After completing his studio training program, he made his TV debut in 1982 with a CBS short film. Seven brides for seven brothers (Unlike the likes of then 12-year-old Phoenix River).

Co-star Nancy Lee Gran, who starred in another respected soap, General Hospital, X-A wrote, “My deepest condolences to Drake Hogestyn's family, friends and fans. What a beautiful, beautiful gracious man.”