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

Hogestyn — who starred in 'Days' for nearly 40 years — died at age 70 on Sept. 28 following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis

Late soap opera star Drake Hogestyn had such an iconic on-screen presence that he was parodied on Friends.

In the hit NBC comedy show, which follows a group of six friends as they navigate their lives in New York City, Matt LeBlanc portrayed aspiring actor Joey Tribbiani, who rose to fame for his role in the fictional show-within-a-show take on the soap opera Days of Our Lives.

Hogestyn — who died at age 70 on Saturday, Sept. 28, following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis — famously portrayed the character John Black in the real-life daytime series for nearly four decades from 1986 to 2024.

In Friends, LeBlanc’s character in the fictional parody was Drake Ramoray, and he was always thought to have been named after the soap opera star. Much like in the real-life show, Ramoray had an exaggerated character arc filled with drama, all of which was seen only in brief snippets throughout the sitcom's run.

The character Ramoray, a doctor, was first introduced in the season 2 episode "The One with the Russ" when Joey auditioned for the show and landed the role after a rocky experience with a casting director.

Related: Drake Hogestyn, Longtime Days of Our Lives Star, Dies at 70 of Pancreatic Cancer

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

While Hogestyn never commented publicly on the Friends character who shared his name, his castmate Alison Sweeney — known for playing Sami Brady in Days of Our Lives — told CinemaBlend in February that she and her costars would "would watch every week that Joey was on Days of Our Lives."

"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," said Sweeney, 48.

Sweeney ended up being cast in a short role in Friends, fittingly playing an actress in the fictional version of the soap opposite Joey.

Days of Our Lives announced Hogestyn's death on Saturday, sharing a statement from the actor's family on social media that read: "It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. He was thrown the curve ball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination. After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones."

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"This is a very difficult one 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 sufficient words to express how deeply he will be missed. His impact on our show, personally and professionally, was profound and will forever remain unmatched."

Sweeney posted a sweet tribute to Hogestyn on Instagram, calling him "an incredible man."

"He was funny, generous and thoughtful. He cared about every single scene, every person," she wrote.

She added, “He loved Days, the fans, and shared that passion with everyone on set. My heart breaks for his family, they meant everything to him. He was such a huge part of my life at Days. I will miss him terribly and treasure every story, every joke and every hug."

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