Latest news with #DaysofOurLives'
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Days of Our Lives' Filmed John Black's Funeral While Actor Drake Hogestyn Was on His Deathbed: ‘He Understood That This Is a Story Fans Would Want to Be Told' (EXCLUSIVE)
'Days of Our Lives' fans, get out a box of tissues, because you are going to need them this week. Beginning Monday, the citizens of the mythical town of Salem, Ill., lay to rest and mourn the death of John Black, who succumbed to injuries in a lab explosion. Although that in itself is worth plenty of tears, it's the passing of Drake Hogestyn, who played him for 40 years, last September at 70 from pancreatic cancer that adds the real heartbreak to this already emotional scenario. To add even greater pathos, John's death and subsequent funeral were shot while Hogestyn was still alive as he was dying. Executive producer Ken Corday approached Hogestyn's family and got permission to bring John's story to an end this way, and they signed off on it. 'Drake, as the consummate storyteller that he is, said, 'Absolutely. You gotta tell the story,'' Eric Martsoff, who played his son Brady, tells Variety. 'Drake knew what he was facing. He understood that this is a story fans would want to be told. So Drake graciously said, yes, let's do it. But knowing that this man was on the planet, and we were literally taping his funeral and his death, that was hard. It was really hard.' More from Variety Billy Flynn on His 'Days of Our Lives' Exit After 10 Years and Moving to 'Young and the Restless': 'It Made Me the Person I Am Today' (EXCLUSIVE) Francisco San Martin, 'Days of Our Lives' and 'Jane the Virgin' Actor, Dies at 39 Mark Withers, Television Actor on 'Dynasty,' Dies at 77 The filming of his funeral took three full days, and Hogestyn died the following weekend. 'There was literally zero acting going on during those three days,' Martsoff says. 'Everyone was holding hands to the point where our hands were getting white.' Martha Madison, who played John's daughter, Belle, said it was all very real for the cast and crew. 'For us, it felt like our responsibility and an honor to do it the very best that we knew how,' she says. 'The fact that we were losing Drake at the same time, it was very hard on us emotionally, as we're losing someone we really love. We didn't really have to perform. It wasn't like we were having to dig for anything. It was just all right there.' In a way, it was a beautiful release for everybody on set those days, because of the collective sentiment of, 'We Love you, and we're gonna miss you.' Madison says, 'None of us were able to really see him or be with him towards the end. This was our opportunity to do it as a family, and do it together. And I thought it was so beautifully written — all of the flashbacks and really honoring his whole 40-year career on that show. It was all just very special.' In these exclusive videos, John's family gathers to pay their last respects at his funeral. There, Marlena (played by soap legend Deidre Hall) flashes back to her and John's wedding where she says they think of their family as a garden: 'Each child is unique, beautiful, cherished in their own way.' The couple symbolically builds a 'bouquet' of their family, with each child represented by a flower. Back in present day, each of their children lay their flower beside candles and a memorial photo as a sign of their eternal love. Speaking about Hogestyn brings Madison to tears: 'I just looked up to him so much, and I admired everything about him — his deep commitment to his work and to his family, his joy and playfulness and his ability to bring people together.' Her voice cracks. 'I just admired him so much, and I don't think that he was even aware of the impact that he was having on all of us.' Among the speeches eulogizing John is Marstoff's Brady, who says that his father could be summed up in one word: eyebrow. 'My dad had many, many skills — spy craft, martial arts, baseball. But I think the use of his eyebrow was perhaps his single greatest asset, not only was it effective, but extremely versatile.' Anyone who has watched 'Days of Our Lives' knows exactly what he's talking about: Hogestyn had an ability to raise one eyebrow to express everything from curiosity to consternation. 'Eric's speech that he gives at the memorial is both touching and funny, and I think that is something that Drake, as a person, would enjoy,' Madison says. 'I don't think that he would want us sitting around crying all day, even though people like me couldn't stop. I think he would want this to feel more celebratory, because he was very celebratory of his own life and how lucky he was to have this beautiful job and beautiful family. I think he would want us to honor that. I think that's what you see in Eric's monologue. It's really perfect.' Marstoff says he 'lost a father figure' when Hogestyn died. 'Drake and I were buddies. He usually started the day with a story. He just had so many life experiences. I mean, he was a Yankee at one point, for God's sake!' he says, referring to Hogestyn's pre-acting career as a professional baseball player. 'Fans should tune in because we're going to say goodbye to one of the most iconic men ever to hit daytime television. He was the epitome of a soap opera star on and off the stage, and the man deserves eyeballs, and he deserves that tribute.' Best of Variety 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bold & Beautiful Preview: Luna's Armed and Aiming For Steffy! Will She Kill Her New Dad's Wife?
Sometimes on soaps, things escalate quickly. That explains how over the past few days, Bold & Beautiful's Luna went from verbally jousting with would-be rival Electra to suggesting she and grandma Sheila join forces to get rid of Steffy! Fortunately, Sheila is a whole new person, right? She's exorcised her demons thanks to the love of a good decent man. But look closely at the scene in which this proposition was put forth, and you'll see a glimmer of the old Sheila. One who, if only for a split second, thought, 'Life would be easier without Steffy!' More from The Life and Crimes Bold & Beautiful's Luna Nozawa Although Sheila is determined to prevent her grandchild from spiraling out of control, the fact that Luna has already killed two men might indicate it's too late. And as the scenes for this week indicate, Luna is about to run out and get herself a gun. Now, do any of us really think for a second that the soap would let the double murderess make it a threefer by rubbing out Steffy? Certainly not. She will remain front and center until the day that Jacqueline MacInnes Wood wants to exit stage left a la Susan Flannery, for whose indomitable character the younger woman is named. But Steffy will need to vanish from the canvas for a hot minute so her portrayer can give birth to her and hubby Elan Ruspoli's fifth child. With her due date rapidly approaching, it's a safe bet that Luna's latest descent into madness will play a role in Steffy's upcoming departure. The real question is exactly how things will play out over the next few weeks. And as you might guess, we have thoughts on that! Luna kidnaps Steffy. And why not? She's done it before, drugging Steffy and leaving her locked in a cage in a building that was scheduled for demolition. This possibility gives Sheila a chance to discover what her granddaughter has done and actually behave in a sane, rational manner for a change. (She's even advising Luna to steer clear of Steffy.) Sheila could take over her daughter-in-law's care, whereas Luna was going to leave her to starve. So by the time the prisoner escaped — or was set free by Sheila — Steffy would begrudgingly feel indebted to her monster-in-law. Luna might be sent straight back to the slammer, but Granny might end up in those Forrester-Finnegan family photos after all! Luna kills Steffy. That is, she 'kills' Steffy. Luna thinks that she's removed the one obstacle to a relationship with Finn, maybe by running her stepmother off the road (like Maw May did Li). Luna delights in 'being there' for Finn in his hour of need and even suggesting that Sheila should rejoice: This is her big chance to bond with him, too! Little do either of them know that an amnesiac Steffy has washed up on the beach and embarked on a friendship with a sexy surfer (maybe played by Days of Our Lives' Greg Vaughan, ex-Eric). By the time Steffy discovers her true identity, maybe she's caught feelings for the new guy and returns home not only determined to get Luna sent up the river but forget the handsome stranger who accidentally touched her heart. Luna's determination to get all up-close and personal with Finn could drive Steffy to say, 'See ya!' She's done it before, after all. When the going gets too rough, she gets going, if only to regroup and come back stronger than ever. (Right, Sheila?) But that would be the least dramatic of the options. Which one do you think the show will go with? Sound off in the comments below after checking out the new photo gallery below; it's a !
New York Post
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Drake Hogestyn's ‘Days of Our Lives' character killed off 8 months after actor's death
Like sands through the hourglass. 'Days of Our Lives' officially killed off Drake Hogestyn's character, John Black, on Monday. The emotional episode came eight months after Hogestyn passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 70 on September 28, 2024, and it saw Black flatline in a hospital with his wife, Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), close by his side. 7 Drake Hogestyn as John Black and Deidre Hall as Marlena Evans on 'Days of Our Lives.' Peacock 7 The actor portraying John Black in his farewell episode was completely covered in gauze to sidestep the fact that the character was no longer being played by Hogestyn. Peacock 'You have put up the bravest fight I have ever seen,' Evans told her dying husband in the character's final scene. 'I know you're weary. I know you're suffering. If you need to go, it's okay.' Black was injured in a lab explosion days before his death as he tried to help Steve (Stephen Nichols) discover a drug to save Bo (Peter Reckell). His body was completely covered in gauze to sidestep the fact that the character was no longer being played by Hogestyn. 7 Hogestyn joined 'Days of Our Lives' in 1986, appeared on the hit soap opera for 38 years and filmed over 4,200 episodes. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection 'We will always have you in our memories,' Hall's character, who married Hogestyn's character six times, said. 'We will always hold you in our hearts. You can rest now.' A montage of the two 'Days of Our Lives' characters' decades-long love story also played just before Black flatlined and was officially killed off. 'I know. I know,' Hall, 77, wrote on Instagram after the episode aired this week. 'Hardest day ever.' 7 Hogestyn and Hall's soap opera characters married six times in the series. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection Reckell, who returned to 'Days of Our Lives' as Bo for the first time since 2023 for the touching episode, said there was 'no acting required' when it came time to say goodbye to Hogestyn's character in the wake of the actor's actual passing. 'It's still difficult to talk about because Drake touched everybody in his sphere so closely, and he was my brother and one of my best friends,' Reckell, 70, told TV Insider. 'Having his memorial, there was no acting required in those scenes, because you're saying things as the character that parallel your feelings in your personal relationship.' 'When I went to John's memorial and all these emotions came up, I just wanted to run away and be by myself and feel those feelings,' he added. 'To have to do it as a character was really difficult.' 7 'I know. I know,' Hall wrote on Instagram after the emotional episode aired. 'Hardest day ever.' Peacock The popular soap opera's executive producer, Ken Corday, previously revealed that John Black's death scene was a direct result of Hogestyn's real-life battle with pancreatic cancer. Corday, 74, told Soap Opera Digest in November that Hogestyn 'signed off' on his character's death scene shortly before he succumbed to his diagnosis. Hogestyn's final 'Days of Our Lives' episode before his death aired on September 9, 2024. It saw his character share several emotional moments with his on-screen grandson, Tate (Leo Howard). 7 Hogestyn as John Black and Hall as Dr. Marlena Evans during Smokey Robinson's Season 41 guest appearance on the popular soap opera. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection The show's official Instagram page announced Hogestyn's heartbreaking passing on September 28, just one day before his 71st birthday. 'It's with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn,' the statement read. 'He was thrown the curveball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination.' 7 Hogestyn passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 70 on September 28, 2024. Peacock 'After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones,' it continued. 'He was the most amazing husband, father, papa and actor. 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,' the statement concluded. Hogestyn joined 'Days of Our Lives' in 1986. He appeared on the hit soap opera for 38 years and filmed over 4,200 episodes.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Days of Our Lives' Casey Moss Marries Former Co-Star True O'Brien
Days of Our Lives' (JJ) tied the knot this past weekend with longtime love and former co-star (ex-Paige). On Moss' Instagram stories posted to his account, the actor shared and re-shared special memories from the day. One phoot contained the caption "5/25/25," indicating the wedding date. Peep the special moments below, and congrats to the happy couple!
Pink Villa
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Days of Our Lives May 22 Episode Recap: Arianna Reveals She Was Not Graduating, Here's How Gabi Reacted
In Days of Our Lives' latest episode, which aired on May 22, 2025, Holly and Doug cross paths at his workplace as she was there to study for her GED. He thinks that his period to pass the exam has passed, but Holly says that she can help him. Later, Holly asks him how his new job was going. He mentions running into Julie, which did not go well. He was on a mission to get her necklace back. But he doesn't think that will win. Julie was hurt as he had taken advantage of her. He revealed that he was planning to talk to Melinda, but Holly advised him to go to Tate's grandfather. John, who is a PI, was coming home that night. Doug says maybe and calls in the night. Marlena and Gabi celebrate Arianna 's birthday. Marlena mentioned being sad over Will and Sonny not being here, as they were planning a party back home, but this topic was brushed off by Ari. Marlena talks about talking Ari's dad down so she could be there for her birthday and then fly for her graduation ceremony. Ari revealed that she was not graduating. This makes Gabi freak out. Her daughter tells her that she has completed everything, but she does not desire to graduate in person. She explains staying through the summer, which makes Gabi happy. But Marlena senses that something was off. Later in the episode, at the square, as Holly was on her phone, she looked behind, shrugged, and moved ahead. It is revealed that she was being followed by an unknown person. Meanwhile, Gabi frantically calls JJ, informing him that her daughter was nowhere in the house. It is revealed that she was in Doug's hotel room. When Doug mentions that her phone was ringing nonstop, Ari puts it on Do Not Disturb.
