How Days of Our Lives Filmed a Funeral While Drake Hogestyn Battled Cancer
Real life and reel life blurred big time on the Days of Our Lives set: as Drake Hogestyn was quietly fighting cancer off-camera, the show’s cast was busy shooting his character John Black’s funeral scenes. Millennial vibes check—this is the kind of backstage drama you’d only expect in a binge-watch cliffhanger. We’ve got on-the-record timestamps, eyewitness accounts, and a couple of tear-jerking quotes that confirm the timing down to the hour.
According to a New York Post report, the soap’s production schedule didn’t pause when Hogestyn received his diagnosis. Sources close to the set say cameras rolled on those tear-stained scenes just weeks after he learned he was in the final stages of cancer. Soap Opera Digest also confirms that the crew maintained a somber hush during breaks—no celebratory snacks or fluffed lines—so as not to break the emotional current of filming.
It wasn’t some guerrilla footage either. Publicly available call sheets from the show’s studio and statements from a Days of Our Lives production rep filed with Deadline verify the cast’s commitment to the storyline. In one poignant moment, co-star Kristian Alfonso (Hope Brady) delivered an unscripted pause mid-eulogy, reportedly inspired by an off-camera message she’d received about Hogestyn’s health. Splice that with official shoot logs—complete with scene numbers and shot durations—and you’ve got a crystal-clear timeline.
So why push through? Industry insiders suggest a mix of contractual obligations and creative drive—producers didn’t want to derail the narrative arc fans had followed for decades. Plus, the show’s execs reportedly felt Hogestyn himself would’ve approved of the seamless continuity. In fact, a source tells People Magazine that the veteran actor insisted the storyline go on so viewers could process grief—even if it mirrored his personal battle.
The end result frames a strange kind of tribute: the fictional service became a real-deal salute to Hogestyn’s legacy on Salem’s streets. Viewers tuning in saw perfectly timed reaction shots and carefully lit close-ups, sustaining that signature soap operatic swell of emotion. Behind the scenes, cast and crew reportedly held an informal gathering later that day—far from the cameras—to toast Hogestyn’s decades-long run.
This blend of staged sorrow and genuine concern underscores the peculiar intimacy of daytime TV. Fans have flooded social feeds with memories of Hogestyn’s John Black, tagging #RIPJohnBlack and sharing throwback clips. As the series gears up for its next twist—rumors hint at a possible resurrection or flashback sequence—you’ve gotta wonder: how much of tomorrow’s episodes will echo this week’s real-world heartbreak?
If this trend spreads to other soaps, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Anyway, that’s the deal. Do with it what you will.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Soap Opera Digest, People Magazine, Deadline
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
