Exclusive: Days of our Lives star Stephen Nichols shares new Drake Hogestyn memories you've never heard before

Members of the Days of our Lives family are gathering this weekend to honor their late co-star and friend, Drake Hogestyn, who played John Black, as they raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer. Stephen Nichols, who plays Steve "Patch" Johnson, chair of the fundraising team, is sharing memories of Hogestyn, who passed away in 2024.

Days of our Lives, remembering Drake

Drake Hogestyn (John Black) and Stephen Nichols (Steve) shared many laughs over the years | Image: JPI

"Just being in Drake's presence was enough to get a jolt of positivity," Nichols says. "He was one of those special souls who exuded joy and love for life."

This weekend, Nichols and other familiar faces from Salem are taking part in PurpleStride LA, the largest national fundraiser to end pancreatic cancer. Nichols and his PurpleStride LA team, "Hogey's Home Runners," will be at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, April 25, starting at 8 a.m., to honor Hogestyn and promote PanCAN's strong mission of advancing progress against pancreatic cancer.

"Drake was loved by all of us, at the studio, on the show, and by fans all around the world," Nichols tells Soap Central. "He was one of the most beloved because of who he was, and he's one of the reasons we're doing this."

Click here to learn how you can support Hogey's Home Runners.

The Time That John Black's Black Eye Needed a Patch

John and Marlena renewed their vows and got married many times, surrounded by Steve, Paul, Abe, and other loved ones on Days of our Lives | Image: JPI

Nichols says that he has many happy memories from working with Hogestyn over the years. "Just sharing the stage with Drake was always a joy because he was so committed and so willing to play," Nichols says. "Drake never came to the set lazy or tired -- he was always so energetic and her energized everyone around him. That was the unique aspect of Drake's personality. He was a beacon for everyone that he met."

John and his beloved Marlena (Deidre Hall) were wed or had vow renewal ceremonies many times over the years. Nichols recalls an instance in which one of John's bachelor parties resulted in taking a baseball to the eye!

"We had a bachelor party, and we all played baseball," Nichols recollects, noting that the baseball theme was written into the show, given Hogestyn's time in the big leagues. (He'd been drafted by both the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees before becoming a professional actor.)

"Paul [played by Christopher Sean] threw a baseball at [John] and hit him in the eye," Nichols says. "So, Drake, or rather John Black, had to ask me, Steve, for a patch. He wanted to know if I had an extra patch to wear over his eye because he couldn't show up to his vow renewal with this terrible-looking eye!'

"I had a grimace," Nichols says of seeing his pal wearing protective eyewear that his character was known for having. "What's this guy doing wearing a patch?"

Catch all-new episodes of Days of our Lives weekdays on Peacock, NBC's streaming platform.