Was Matt LeBlanc’s Days of Our Lives Character in Friends Inspired By Late Drake Hogestyn? Here’s What Reports Suggest

As a devoted fan of both Days of Our Lives and Friends, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of loss with the passing of Drake Hogestyn. His portrayal of John Black has been a staple of my television viewing for decades, and the character’s journey mirrored in Joey Tribbiani’s Drake Ramoray was always a source of delightful amusement.


Matt LeBlanc, known for his role as Joey in Friends, took on another character named Drake Ramoray in Days of Our Lives. Although Drake had a distinct personality on the show, the name “Drake” was derived from the actual Days of Our Lives actor, Drake Rogestyn.

Sadly, the actor who portrayed the iconic character John Black on television for almost four decades, from 1986 to 2024, passed away on Saturday, September 28, following his struggle with pancreatic cancer.

In the TV show Friends, LeBlanc’s fictional soap opera character shared similarities with Rogestyn’s actual character from a daytime soap opera, both featuring intricate character developments, dramatic plots, and recurring themes of resurrection within their storylines.

Among the many amusing story arcs for Drake Ramoray, one notable incident involved frequent squabbles with the writers of his series. This conflict ultimately resulted in Drake accidentally falling from an elevator, effectively ending his character’s run. Yet, surprising twist: Drake Ramoray, as portrayed by Joey, made a comeback to the show after receiving a transplanted brain, only to depart once more.

Despite Rogestyn remaining silent about his perspective on his “Friends” character, his fellow cast member, Alison Sweeney, shared that she enjoyed watching the show, primarily focusing on Drake Ramoray’s role.

She has mentioned to an entertainment portal, “It was such a fun ongoing story to watch on Friends, and it made us laugh. It just had such a sense of humor about what we do, and we just loved it.” 

On their social media platform, Days of Our Lives shared the sad news about the deceased actor, Drake Hogestyn, accompanied by a picture of him. In the caption, they expressed their sorrow, saying “We are deeply saddened to announce his passing.

In simpler terms, he encountered the toughest pitch of his life when he received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Yet, he showed remarkable resilience and grit in tackling this challenge. After a valiant struggle that left everyone amazed, he passed away serenely, with those closest to him by his side.

Sweeney also deeply lamented the passing of his fellow actor, describing him as a “remarkable individual.” Moreover, he shared that the deceased individual was thoughtful towards everyone on set. In closing, he expressed that he would miss him dearly, cherishing each story, joke, and hug they shared.

Drake Hogestyn is survived by four children and seven grandchildren.

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2024-09-30 00:08