Photo Credit: NBC /Courtesy Everett Collection
It has taken up to this moment to put into words about the loss of an incredible person. There were days that it didn’t feel real. I think it finally set in once I saw video tributes of those who knew him dearly.
As many who either knew or grew up watching him, I was crushed to learn of Drake Hogestyn’s passing on Saturday. I literally thought that he was invincible. Nothing could touch him. It hit me in the gut to be reminded once again that we are not inhuman. How could this man be gone? A world without John Black/Drake seems unfathomable to me.
My first recollection of Drake was in 1991. It was the pier episode when Marlena reunited with John (at the time was still to be believed as Roman Brady), and I was a fan ever since. John’s love for family, his Doc, as well as his rivalry with Stefano DiMera…Drake played the hero so well. Ironically, I think we all felt he was a hero in real life. To be honest, he was. He was a hero to his wife, Victoria, as well as to his children and grandchildren. An incredible man who loved everyone.
I’m writing this in the midst of listening to the very first time I spoke with Drake. It was in 2011 promoting his and Deidre Hall’s return to, “Days of our Lives.” It brings such a smile to my face for many reasons. For one thing…I realize that many of his co-stars are right. Somehow in some way, Drake will start using baseball analogies in a conversation. I didn’t realize it then. Hearing it now, and listening to Drake mention Yogi Berra, I just laughed and said, “There it is.” The second thing is… I did not have to say a word during that conversation! Listening to his excitement straight through left me now only in awe but felt that was the easiest interview I ever conducted. That was just who he was. Drake would have you laughing at any given moment. I left that interview with tears on my face from laughing so hard. It is one that I hold close.
As a side note… I don’t think I caught it initially during that interview, but how did he know I used to do radio soaps? This is such a WOW moment for me that I couldn’t believe he knew this information! Drake literally took the time to know even my history before talking with someone he never met before. This was true testament to his character. A defining, humbling moment.
While I met him in passing as time passed, it was not until last year that I actually got to hug him. I don’t think I can express the joy I felt when that happened. I honestly don’t think he knew how much I respected him as an actor and as a person until that very moment.
As I sit here holding back tears writing this… I just want to say how much Drake will be missed by all of us. To those who loved him, I am sending you so much love and hugs at this time. Please know that Drake was a person who…had the capacity to love and make everyone smile. This man was so highly regarded in the industry. It made my heart swell to see the outpouring of support.
There is so much I can say about Drake. I will end with this, however…
As everyone has said recently, I hope you are up there swinging for the fences.
We miss you, Hogey. Thank you for everything.
Thank you for sharing your memories and interaction with him.
Heartfelt indeed