Hogestyn — who starred in 'Days' for nearly 40 years — died at age 70 on Sept. 28 following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis

Actor Drake Hogestyn, known for his role as John Black on the soap opera “Days of Our Lives,” has died following a battle with cancer, his family announced on Saturday. He was 70.

This article contains mention of death Friends star Matt LeBlanc portrayed Joey, the soap opera star, playing the role of Drake Ramoray in Days of Our Lives. While the character had its own personality on the show,

Days of our Lives stars have come out in droves to honor the late great Drake Hogestyn. The soap legend, who played John Black for over 35 years, passed away this weekend. Social media has become flooded with those who had the privilege of knowing and working with him after news of his death broke.

His family released a statement to the "Days of our Lives" social media accounts, sharing that he died following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Drake Hogestyn, the longtime Days of Our Lives star who played John Black, has died. He was 70. Hogestyn, who was one day shy of his 71st birthday when he died on Saturday, September 28, battled pancreatic cancer,