Matt LeBlanc’s Days of Our Lives Character in Friends Was Named After Late Soap Star Drake Hogestyn

The late soap opera star Drake Hogestyn had such a legendary presence on screen that he was parodied on Friends.

The hit NBC comedy, which follows a group of six friends as they navigate their lives in New York City, stars Matt LeBlanc as up-and-coming actor Joey Tribbiani, who rose to fame with his role in the fictional show-within-a-show. on a soap opera Days of our lives.

Hogestyn — who died at the age of 70 on Saturday, Sept. 28, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer — famously portrayed the character of John Black on the reality daytime series for nearly four decades from 1986 to 2024.

Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani in ‘Friends’.

J. Delvalle/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

IN FriendsLeBlanc’s character in the fictional parody was Drake Ramoray, and it was always thought he was named after the soap star. Much like the real-life show, Ramoray had an exaggerated drama-filled arc, all of which was only seen in short clips throughout the series.

The character of Ramoray, the doctor, was first introduced in the Season 2 episode “The One with the Russ” when Joey auditioned for the series and was cast after a difficult experience with the casting director.

Drake Hogestyn, longtime Days of our lives Old, dies at the age of 70 from pancreatic cancer

As the series continued, Joey and his soap opera character got into several misunderstandings, including one in which the actor insulted the show’s writing team by telling an interviewer that he wrote his own lines, resulting in the writers creating a storyline where Ramoray falls before his death in the elevator shaft. The character later returned after being given a new brain, before being eventually stabbed by a nurse.

Drake Hogestyn as John Black in ‘Days of Our Lives’.

Frank Carroll/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

While Hogestyn has never commented publicly Friends a character who shares his name, his co-star Alison Sweeney — known for her role as Sami Brady Days of Our Lives — told CinemaBlend in February that she and her co-stars “will watch every week that Joey is on Days of our lives.”

“It was such a fun ongoing story to watch Friendsand that made us laugh. He had such a sense of humor about what we were doing and we loved it,” Sweeney, 48, said.

Sweeney eventually landed a cameo in the Friendsfittingly playing an actress in a fictional version of a soap opera opposite Joey.

Drake Hogestyn 2008.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Days of our lives announced Hogestyn’s death on Saturday, sharing a statement from the actor’s family on social media that read: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. He had the ball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination , after giving an incredible fight, passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.”

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“This is very difficult for all of us,” Days of our lives executive producer Ken Corday said in a statement to PEOPLE. “Hogey was the ultimate team player and there are not enough words to express how much we will miss him. His impact on our show, personally and professionally, was profound and will forever be unmatched.”

Sweeney posted a sweet tribute to Hogestyn on Instagram, calling him “an amazing man.”

“He was funny, generous and attentive. He cared about every scene, every person,” she wrote.

She added: “He loved it daysfans and shared that passion with everyone on set. My heart breaks for his family, they meant everything to him. He was such a big part of my life in days. I will miss him terribly and treasure every story, every joke and every hug.”

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