Days of Our Lives’ Deidre Hall reacts to Drake Hogestyn dead

Deidre Hall is honoring her late “Days of Our Lives” co-star Drake Hogestyn, who died from pancreatic cancer at age 70.

Hall, 76, remembered her friend and colleague in an emotional statement to Access Hollywood on Wednesday, four days after Hogestyn’s death.

“For nearly 4 decades, Marlena Evans and I have loved the same man,” Hall said, referring to her soap opera character, the love interest of Hogestyn’s John Black.

“Marlena’s John is an iconic hero, unfailingly rescuing her from all matter of villains,” the actress went on. “My acting partner was incredibly professional from the moment he entered the studio; flawless in his preparation and ready for any eventuality in any scene.”

Hall said Hogestyn “was gracious and kind to everyone” on the set of the beloved soap opera series.

“Drake loved what he did and adored and respected everyone with whom he did it,” she continued. “Having said that, we always knew that his two greatest loves were his family and the Yankees. Victoria [Hogestyn’s wife] and their children were truly the center of his life.”

“Drake is dearly loved by everyone who ever knew him and he will be missed beyond measure. We will continue, as he always encouraged us, to swing for the fences,” her statement concluded.

Hogestyn played John Black on “Days of Our Lives” for nearly 40 years before his death.

His on-screen relationship with Hall, who joined the show in 1976, became one of the most famous romances in daytime TV history.

Hall left the show in 1987 for a role on “Our House,” but returned after its cancellation. In May 2023, she opened up about John and Marlena’s relationship during an interview with People.

“We’re the couple that teaches you that people stay together through thick and thin, and they stay loving, and they stay sensual and sexual, and that’s worth fighting for,” she said at the time. “[Fans are] able to suspend the disbelief long enough to really sink into the story.”

The pair also recalled their audition in a joint interview with Soap Opera Digest in April 2018.

“I tested with him because I would’ve been playing with him and when everybody was done — they look at all of the scenes, obviously — and I got called upstairs saying, ‘Okay, we know what we think, what do you think because you’ve got to work with him?’ And everybody was in agreement and it was Drake!” Hall said.

“Nobody came close to being the kind of figure, and having that sort of magic and chemistry and the male hero attraction. And that was the beginning of it,” she added.

Hogestyn said, “I think John and Marlena epitomize sacrifice to each other and overcoming all of the obstacles that every couple faces every single day. We don’t take that responsibility lightly. I think it’s a good signal to send out there to the audience.”

The late actor died Sept. 28 after battling pancreatic cancer. He filmed his final “Days of Our Lives” episode on Sept. 9.

Many of Hall’s co-stars paid tribute to him on social media, including Kristian Alfonso, Genie Francis and Ali Sweeney.

The show, which aired on NBC from 1965 to 2022 and now streams new episodes on Peacock, also honored Hall on its official Instagram page.

“He was thrown the curve ball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination,” the statement read.

The message added, “He loved performing for the Days audience and sharing the stage with the greatest cast, crew, and production team in the business. We love him and we will miss him all the Days of our Lives.”