Thaao Penghlis Reveals the Complex Reality of Working With Drake Hogestyn

Thaao Penghlis, who plays Tony DiMera on Days of Our Lives, is reflecting on his working relationship with his former co-star Drake Hogestyn.

Penghlis spoke with Jim Masters on The Jim Masters Showabout his career, including his work on General Hospital, Days of Our Lives and his new podcast venture, The Great Escape!

During the interview, Penghlis reflected on his relationship with Hogestyn, saying, “He was always a specimen of strength.”

He also praised Hogestyn’s work ethic, adding, “He was always working hard. He’d get up at 4 in the morning, do his exercises, drink certain drinks that kept him toned and everything.”

However, Penghlis acknowledged that their off-screen relationship was not especially close. “I can’t say he and I were overly friendly with each other,” he shared.

Hogestyn joined Days of Our Lives in 1986. His character initially believed himself to be Roman Brady before being revealed as John Black. Over the years, John frequently found himself at odds with the DiMera family, including patriarch Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo) and Tony DiMera (Penghlis).

He suggested that their on-screen rivalry may have influenced their real-life dynamic. “I think the whole idea that I was his adversary remained even though he saw me and he would say, ‘Oh, how are you doing?’ But when we got on set, you know, it was all always conflict,” Penghlis said.

Hogestyn died on September 28, 2024, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. His character, John Black, remained on the show until June 2 2025. Due to the soap’s production schedule, those episodes were filmed prior to his death but aired months later.

Penghlis began his professional career in 1973 with an appearance on the TV series Hawkins. He later became a household name in 1981 appearing on General Hospital during the Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) ‘Ice Princess’ storyline as Victor Cassadine.

He went to Days of Our Lives where he helped establish the creation of the DiMera Family and has appeared on-and-off ever since, with his most recent appearance airing earlier this year.

Days of Our Lives streams Monday through Friday’s exclusively on Peacock.