(CNN)- Drake Hogestyn, the actor best known for his role as John Black on the soap opera “Days of Our Lives,” died after a battle with cancer, his family announced this Saturday. He was 70 years old.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. “His life was shocked when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination,” read a statement from the Hogestyn family posted on the Hogestyn family account. days of our lives instagram“After fighting an incredible battle, he passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones.”
Other media outlets, including Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, also reported his death.
The family’s statement described Hogestyn as “the most incredible husband, father, father and actor” and that he loved performing for the “Days of Our Lives” audience and working with the show’s cast, crew and production team. Their love was noted.
“We love him and will miss him every day of our lives,” the statement said.
According to IMDb, Hogestyn made his debut on “Days of Our Lives” in 1986 and has appeared in more than 4,200 episodes. His work on the long-running soap opera earned him a Soap Opera Digest Award for Sexiest Male Star in 1994 and 1995 and another award for Favorite Couple in 2005.
