Days of Our Lives icon Drake Hogestyn has died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 70.
"After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones," the message 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."
The Indiana native began playing character John Black on Days starting in 1986.
"This is a very difficult one for all of us. Hogey was the ultimate team player and there are not sufficient words to express how deeply he will be missed. His impact on our show, personally and professionally, was profound and will forever remain unmatched," Ken Corday, the daytime drama's executive producer, said in a statement to Soap Opera Digest.
In 1982, he starred in CBS' Seven Brides for Seven Brothers with the late River Phoenix.
