Kirsten Storms Speaks Out on Drake Hogestyn’s Sudden Passing with Raw Emotion
Okay, hold onto your travel mugs—this one’s heavy! “Days of Our Lives” alum Kirsten Storms threw her heart wide open on Instagram after hearing the news that her longtime co-star Drake Hogestyn had passed away at 70. She captioned a throwback snap of the pair grinning on set with, “I feel like it’s not real,” and trust me, her words cut sharper than a double-shot espresso. According to People Magazine and corroborated by Deadline, Hogestyn’s rep confirmed his unexpected death due to a sudden cardiac event on June 6, and the soap world has been swirling in shock ever since.
Storms, who played Maxie Jones opposite Hogestyn’s iconic John Black for over a decade, admitted she’s been “truly heartbroken” and “utterly stunned” by the loss of someone she calls “family.” She even tagged Hogestyn’s official foundation in her post, urging fans to donate in his memory. Meanwhile, fellow “Days” vet Steve Burton shared an emotional tribute on Twitter, calling Drake “a gentle giant” and “the kindest soul this business has ever known.” Over on Instagram, YOU don’t have to scroll far to see dozens of tear-streaked emojis pouring in from fans who grew up watching John and Maxie’s chemistry light up living rooms worldwide.
If you’re wondering why this feels particularly surreal, consider this: Hogestyn’s tenure on the show spanned from 1986 to 2018, surviving everything from amnesia storylines to interdimensional doppelgängers. He revitalized the character of John Black so thoroughly that when he stepped away, soap ratings reportedly dipped. And yes, that was documented in Nielsen reports cited by Soap Opera Digest. So, his absence resonates on and off camera in huge ways—think murmur in the halls, collective gasp in fan groups, tears behind the studio doors.
Storms’ own journey echoes this bittersweet legacy. She’s weathered personal health battles and on-screen heartbreak, yet words still fail her when it comes to losing Drake. She reminisced about late-night script reads, shared birthday bashes, and those coffee-fueled morning shoots where they’d laugh until their sides hurt. It’s these little snapshots—her candid anecdotes and his trademark grin—that are flooding social feeds, courtesy of fellow cast members like Deidre Hall and Kristian Alfonso, both paying tribute in their own heartfelt posts (as seen on their verified Instagram profiles and reported by ET Online).
What’s next? Fans are already speculating how the show will honor John Black’s legacy—will there be an on-air memorial, a tribute episode, maybe a cameo montage? “Days of Our Lives” exec producers promised a fitting send-off, and Storms hinted she might return for one poignant scene. Get ready to keep tissues at the ready, because these stories aren’t wrapping up any time soon. I swear, I could ramble on about this all day—now if you’ll excuse me, I need another latte!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Deadline, ET Online, Soap Opera Digest
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
