Days of Our Lives star Deidre Hall said that “lovely tribute shows” have been planned and are forthcoming to honor Drake Hogestyn, who died in late September at 70.
Hall, who portrayed Marlena opposite Hogestyn’s John Black, told People that the long-running drama will pay homage to the actor as it would a beloved relative.
“It is a family-run show and it’s a family-produced show and that’s reflected in everything that we do,” she said. “We bring Christmas to people that don’t have one. We bring Thanksgiving to people that don’t have family. We are there and when we lose a family member, you share it with us. We’ve lost Bill [Hayes], we’ve lost Drake. You’ll share that with us. That’s, I think, comforting for the audience to know that they are part of that legacy and part of that future.”
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Speaking more specifically on tributes in future episodes, Hall answered: “The show will handle that. We have shows coming up that are just hours of flashbacks of his history. So it isn’t coming up yet, obviously, because it doesn’t come in until next year, but you’re going to see some lovely tribute shows.”
The popular Peacock soap opera, which was just renewed for Season 61 at the beginning of the month, will feature upcoming tribute episodes for Hayes, who died in January at 98, this week. On Dec. 2, the Daytime Emmy-winning series will reach its 15,000th episode.
Hogestyn died Sept. 28, a day shy of his 71st birthday, from pancreatic cancer. He first began playing John Black in 1986, with a hiatus from 2009-2011, upon which he returned to the fan-favorite character until his death.
Hall paid tribute to her onscreen love interest last month in a statement, saying: “For nearly 4 decades, Marlena Evans and I have loved the same man. Marlena’s John is an iconic hero, and unfailingly rescuing her from all matter of villains. 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. He was gracious and kind to everyone, from the executive staff to the night crew. Drake loved what he did and adored and respected everyone with whom he did it.”
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