Drake Hogestyn, best known for playing John Black on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives, died from pancreatic cancer last month, his death certificate states. In the documents shared by TMZ, vomiting, dehydration, and whole-body toxicity were also listed as contributing causes. The tabloid reports that Hogestyn, 70, began acting on the show in the 1980s and was a mainstay in more than 4,200 episodes. According to People, the last episode he filmed was aired just weeks before his death. The soap released a statement from Hogestyn’s family on their Instagram, calling him “the most amazing husband, father, papa, and actor.” Marlena Evans, played by Deidre Hall, was his longtime love interest on the show. In a statement to Access Hollywood, Hall called the actor “incredibly professional from the moment he entered the studio.” “We will continue, as he always encouraged us, to swing for the fences,” she added.
