Longtime “Days of Our Lives” actor Drake Hogestyn, who played John Black on the soap for nearly 40 years, died Saturday. He was 70. The cause was pancreatic cancer, his family said.

Drake Hogestyn's Days of Our Lives costars are paying tribute to him in wake of his death. The longtime soap star, who portrayed John Black on the series since 1986, died just one day shy of his birthday on September 28,

Drake Hogestyn, who portrayed John Black in Days of Our Lives for nearly four decades, passed away at 70 due to pancreatic cancer. His character inspired Joey Tribbiani's Dr. Drake Ramoray on Friends.

Since the news of Drake Hogestyn's passing two days ago, numerous members of the soap opera community have shared emotional tributes to the daytime superstar. Hogestyn's current and former Days of Our Lives co-stars,

Alison Sweeney and the Days of Our Lives family are mourning the loss of Drake Hogestyn, who died at age 70 from pancreatic cancer. “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn,

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.