Drake Hogestyn

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SOAP STAR STATS

Drake Hogestyn (John, DAYS)

Vital Statistics

The 411

Drake Hogestyn began playing the complicated, complex John Black in early 1986. An Indiana native, Hogestyn dreamed of life as a professional baseball player, but majored in microbiology at University of South Florida and also considered becoming a dentist if all else failed. Hogestyn achieved his dream of playing for the New York Yankees by making the minor-league farm team in Oneonta, NY. After years in the minors — and a knee injury — Hogestyn decided to switch careers, which is how he got into acting.

He landed commercials, as well as the CBS series SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS. After a year, the show was canceled. Hogestyn was about to apply to dental school when he got a call for a part on a soap, which was to play a recast Roman Brady on DAYS. Hogestyn won the part, which he initially thought would last mere months. Twenty-one years later, he remained one of daytime's most popular stars until John was killed in a mysterious hit-and-run accident in October 2007. Fan outrcy ensued, and sure enough, a brainwashed John resurfaced in Salem in early 2008.

Hogestyn, a devoted family man, has his own off-screen romance that would rival the best soap storyline. He met his wife, Victoria, when he was 15 and she was 12 going on 13. They were together until 1975, then split on July 4 of that year. In 1981, Victoria called a shocked Hogestyn; eventually, they reconciled and married in 1984. Today, it isn't hard to get the actor to talk about his family. "I'm desperately in love with my wife and children," he's told Digest.

Career Highlights

TV Roles
NIGHT SINS (John Black, 1993)
BEVERLY HILLS COWGIRL BLUES (Rod, 1985)
GENERATION (Jack Breed, 1985)
SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BOTHERS (Brian McFadden, 1982 )
OTHERWORLD (Captain Valdor, 1985)

Memorable Quotes

"I'm the only person in my family who didn't have to get braces. I'm also the only one who didn't get a bicycle or baptized. The three B's."—Soap Opera Digest, 11/4/86

"Each one was different. One was a spring shower in a forest, one was a walk along the beach and another was a full moon through a leafless tree." —On his leading ladies, Digest, 4/12/94

"I've been on the show for 10 years, and I guess what I keep thinking is that the 'leading man' tag is slowly being peeled off."—Digest, 2/13/96

"I feel a little guilty sometimes because what did I do? I came out here, never having been to California in the off-season, and the proverbial spin on the ball changes. My body was all torn down from the season, and I needed some rest and rehabilitation and to get away from baseball, get it out of my mind. And I got this job."—Digest, 8/3/99

"Wanna know how my contracts work? First of all, I've signed four-year deals. The way it comes about is, I'll run into Ken [Corday, executive producer] in the hall, and he'll say something like, 'Hey Hogie. How many years do you have left on your contract?' and I'll say, 'I don't know.' He says, 'Wanna re-up?' and I say, 'Okay.'" —Digest, 6/17/03

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