Beloved “Days of Our Lives” star Stephen Nichols (Steve) has revealed he’s honoring his good friend and co-star, the late great Drake Hogestyn (John), this spring. Hogestyn died in September 2024 at age 70 after a battle with Pancreatic cancer, but his soap family and real family are continuously working to keep his legacy alive.
Stephen Nichols to Chair Hogey’s Home Runners at Chairity Event
In April, Nichols will lead the “Days of our Lives” team at the PanCAN PurpleStride event in Los Angeles. The actor shared the news on Instagram kicking it off with a sweet story about his friend.
“Drake and I spent nearly 40 years together – fighting villains, saving Salem and giving Stefano DiMera more headaches than he deserved. But it was everything off camera that I’ll carry with me forever. Just being around Drake meant being around joy. Pure joy and positivity. That was him,” Nichols wrote as part of his caption.
The actor explained that the event with be held at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday April 25. Nichols wants fans to join the team and walk to honor Hogestyn.
“Drake would have been the first one there, the loudest one cheering and the last one to leave. The least we can do is show up for him – and for everyone still fighting this disease today,” the soap star expressed.
Nichols gave more information on the walk as well as encourages those who weren’t in the area to find a walk near them and do it for Hogestyn and others living with Pancreatic cancer.
“Let’s swing for the fences,” he needed his message. The line was a nod to Hogestyn whose, signature phrase was “swing for the fences,” based on his love of baseball and his brief career in the sport.
This is the second year the “Days of Our Lives” family formed a team to walk for Hogestyn following his death. In 2025, Martha Madison (Belle) and Eric Martsolf (Brady) led the hit Peacock soaps team to honored Hogestyn months after his death.
Stephen Nichols and Drake Hogestyn’s Friendship
To soap fans’ Nichols and Hogyestn are known as Patch and his pal John Black. However in real life, the two men were not just co-stars but good friends for nearly four decades. They met when Hogestyn joined “Days of Our Lives” as a Roman recast, months after Nichols made his debut on the show.
When Hogestyn died, Nichols didn’t hold back, not only praising him but opening up about their long-standing friendship. Nichols revealed the many things he would miss about Hogestyn, while also promising to be there for his family and keep the beloved actor’s legacy alive.
“Just being in Drake’s presence was enough to get a jolt of positivity. He was one of those special souls who exuded joy and love for life. The Days of Our Lives cast, crew, and fans (who he was always so kind to) have suffered a great loss,” Nichols wrote in part of a lengthy tribute to his friend that included a beautiful video of the two men goofing around on set.
Hogestyn’s loss is still felt on the hit Peacock soap. Nichols continues to do his part to keep the beloved soap star’s legacy alive to honor his friend.
