Drake Hogestyn ’s final Days of Our Lives episodes have already aired — and his character left on a touching high note . The actor, who died Saturday, September 28, after battling pancreatic cancer , had previously made his last appearance as John Black on the hit ABC soap opera in an episode that aired September 9. According to Soap Opera Digest , Hogestyn filmed the episode in February of this year.
In his poignant Days goodbye, his character shared tender scenes with son Brady ( Eric Martsolf ) and grandson Tate ( Leo Howard ). John consoled a guilty Tate about telling Holly ( Ashley Puzemis ) that Eric ( Greg Vaughan ) had killed her father in a drunk driving accident. He also supported Tate for standing by his father, Brady, who was arrested amid the hit-and-run drama.
“You love him no matter what, just like I do,” John said, per Soap Opera Digest . “There is nothing he could do in this world that would ever make me stop loving him. For the record, Tate, the same goes for you, kiddo.
” Brady then appeared and revealed that charges had been dropped against him, with the duo ending the scene in a tight embrace. Earlier this month, Hogestyn shared the screen — and one last kiss — with Deidre Hall , who plays John’s longtime love interest, Marlena Evans. (The pair won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Favorite Couple in 2005.
) Hogestyn first appeared on Days of Our Lives in 1986, and went on to portray John in more than 4,200 episodes of the iconic series. Days .
