Deidre Hall has paid tribute to her longtime co-star Drake Hogestyn, who passed away on September 28 from pancreatic cancer at the age of 70. In her heartfelt statement, Hall described Hogestyn as a gracious and professional actor who brought life to his iconic role as John Black on Days of Our Lives, where he starred opposite Hall's character, Marlena Evans, for nearly four decades. She emphasized his love for family, particularly his wife Victoria and their children, and noted his passion for the New York Yankees. Hall expressed that Hogestyn was dearly loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed, encouraging his colleagues to 'swing for the fences' in his memory. Hogestyn's final episode was filmed in February 2023, and his legacy continues to resonate within the soap opera community. Tributes from fellow cast members and fans have poured in, reflecting the significant impact he made on daytime television.