‘Days’ Star Deidre Hall Still In Denial Over Drake Hogestyn’s Death

'Days' Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn/Credit: YouTube

Deidre Hall acted alongside Drake Hogestyn on Days of Our Lives for almost 40 years. In an emotional admission, the actress said that she and the rest of the soap cast are still in denial over his death.

DOOL‘s Stephen Nichols Opens Up About ‘Difficult’ Time Filming Funeral Scenes

Days of Our Lives fans are still struggling to accept that fan-favorite actor, Drake Hogestyn, is gone. He passed away in September after a private battle with cancer. However, the loss is much harder on the cast and crew that worked with him for decades.

Drake Hogestyn/Credit: YouTube
Drake Hogestyn/Credit: YouTube

Stephen Nichols and Mary Beth Evans, who have appeared on DOOL since the 1980s, opened up to Access Hollywood about the loss. Nichols revealed that his dressing room is right next door to Hogestyn’s and he has to walk by it every day. He said the show has kept Drake Hogestyn’s name on the door, but suggested the network go one step further and make it a shrine.

'Days' Stephen Nichols and Drake Hogestyn/Credit: YouTube
‘Days’ Stephen Nichols and Drake Hogestyn/Credit: YouTube

As viewers have likely heard by now, with Drake Hogestyn’s blessing, John Black dies. The cast is filming the funeral episodes now, even though it won’t air until 2025. Stephen Nichols confessed that the funeral scenes are very difficult on the cast.

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Deidre Hall Talks ‘Shock’ of Drake Hogestyn’s Passing

Stephen Nichols previously said that he spoke to Drake Hogestyn several times a week during his cancer battle. However, Deidre Hall told Access Hollywood in a separate interview that she and the rest of the cast had “very little notice” that their co-star was ill. Once they found out, Deidre Hall said they were all privately in disbelief. “The resounding comment was, ‘Not Drake!’ Drake, I mean the healthiest, the most positive. And then there it was.”

Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn/Credit: YouTube
Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn/Credit: YouTube

She Shares Insight On What It’s Like On Set

According to Deidre Hall, Drake Hogestyn’s death isn’t spoken about on the set that much. She said, “Truly, we don’t talk about it. There isn’t even really as much as somebody walking by and putting their hand on you.” 

She said that the cast prefers to leave real life behind and live in the fictional Salem to escape grieving over their co-star. However, she admitted that sometimes the loss hits her. “I will sometimes be sitting on the set and thinking, ‘John is gone, and oh my gosh, Drake is gone!’”

The actress continued, “I miss that he doesn’t get to come to work. I miss that he doesn’t get to play with us.” At the end of the day, “He loved being here, just loved it. And I miss that for him.”

How are you dealing with the loss of Drake Hogestyn?

Jennifer Havener
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