The passing and subsequent funeral of John Black on 'Days of Our Lives' was shot while actor Drake Hogestyn was still alive — and on his deathbed.

The "Days of Our Lives" cast filmed John Black's funeral on the show while Drake Hogestyn was dying of cancer in real life.

To add even greater pathos, John’s death and subsequent funeral were shot while Hogestyn was still alive as he was dying.

Executive producer Ken Corday approached Hogestyn’s family and got permission to bring John’s story to an end this way, and they signed off on it. “Drake, as the consummate storyteller that ...

Although that in itself is worth plenty of tears, it’s the passing of Drake Hogestyn, who played him for 40 years, last September at 70 from pancreatic cancer that adds the real heartbreak to this ...

ISA agent John Black is being given a loving funeral on Days of Our Lives during the week of June 9, 2025. This also marks the final farewell of Drake Hogestyn, the actor who played John Black for ...

Matthew Ashford reflects on his emotional return to Days of Our Lives for John Black’s funeral and to honor Drake Hogestyn’s legacy.

Drake Hogestyn, the soap icon who played John Black on Days of Our Lives since 1986, died last September from pancreatic cancer.