Days of our lives spoilers: John is dying, revealing shocking secret to Marlena and Steve.
Today we’re diving headfirst into the emotional whirlwind surrounding one of the show’s most iconic characters — John Black, portrayed by the late, great Drake Hoen. The air is thick with speculation, grief, and intrigue as fans grapple with a question that has set social media ablaze:
Was that really Drake Hoen’s voice delivering John Black’s final words in the May 23rd, 2025 episode, or is there more to this heartstring-tugging storyline than meets the eye?
Buckle up, because we’re about to dissect this unforgettable arc with the intensity it deserves.
The Days of Our Lives fandom is no stranger to dramatic twists, but the recent developments surrounding John Black have struck a particularly deep chord. Hoen, who embodied the rugged, charismatic, and endlessly resilient John Black for nearly four decades, passed away from cancer in real life just three weeks before his character’s final scenes aired.
Those scenes, filmed months in advance, have left viewers reeling — not only for their narrative weight, but for the eerie timing of Hoen’s passing. The show’s writers, actors, and crew have crafted a storyline that feels like a poignant farewell to both the character and the actor.
But questions linger about the authenticity of those final moments.
John Black’s Last Stand: A Hero’s Final Act
The explosion that shook Salem in the May 23rd episode was a masterclass in suspense, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats as John Black faced a crisis that would define his legacy.
The episode built to a crescendo of danger and sacrifice with John, Hope Brady, and Dr. Russell infiltrating a high-security laboratory in a desperate mission to secure Versix — a groundbreaking drug pivotal to saving Bo Brady’s life.
The stakes couldn’t have been higher. The trio navigated a labyrinth of alarms and threats, disabling the lab’s security system — until disaster struck.
A shadowy figure, later revealed to be an addict desperate for the experimental drug, lunged at Dr. Russell. John, ever the protector, sprang into action. In a heart-pounding sequence, he tackled the assailant. Their bodies crashed to the sterile floor.
Hope managed to escort Dr. Russell to safety — but as she returned for John, a deafening explosion rocked the facility.
A Battle for Survival
Amidst the wreckage, John was found badly burned, breathing labored, clutching a small tray of Versix — the very drug he had risked everything to protect.
In a faint rasp, he whispered to Hope, “I’m going to save Bo.”
Those words, heavy with sacrifice, encapsulated the very essence of who John Black was.
The narrative shifted to Salem University Hospital, where Steve Johnson stood vigil. Dr. Russell received the tray of Versix, miraculously preserved by John’s selfless act.
Steve’s voice trembled as he recounted John shielding the drug with his body. Even Steve — the ever-stoic Patch — broke down, his grief a raw reminder of their unshakable bond.
A Grim Prognosis
Inside John’s hospital room, the atmosphere was thick with despair. Kayla Brady delivered a grim prognosis to Marina Evans, John’s soulmate.
“He inhaled a lot of smoke,” Kayla said. “And he has third-degree burns over 30% of his body.”
Each word struck like a blow to Marina’s already breaking heart.
Marina, portrayed with heartbreaking vulnerability by Deidre Hall, leaned over his bedside, whispering, “You’ve been through so much, John… I know you’re tired, but please don’t leave us now.”
John mustered the strength to respond: “I love you, Doc.”
Then, with a cryptic utterance — “I have a code.” — he fell silent.
Kayla sprang into action. Steve pulled Marina back, giving the team space to work as Marina cried out, “I love you, too. I’m right here, John.”
Those were the last words exchanged — and they echoed with finality.
Drake Hoen’s Final Performance?
The question remains: Was it truly Drake Hoen’s voice delivering those last lines?
Longtime viewers insist it was — his tone unmistakable. But Hoen’s real-life passing just three weeks before airing has fueled speculation. Some fans theorize that a voice double or archival audio may have been used, especially given Hoen’s declining health.
Others firmly believe it was him:
“That was Drake’s voice. No question. You can’t fake that kind of heart.”
Still, others argue: “They could’ve used a stand-in — with the burns and smoke, you’d never know. But it felt like John.”
The presence of a stunt double in earlier scenes, like the icy trap sequence, only adds to the speculation. Did the producers stitch together pre-recorded dialogue and new footage to complete the arc?
Whether real or digitally composed, the moment was raw, haunting, and unforgettable.
The Legacy of John Black
John Black’s journey, introduced in 1986, is legendary.
From mysterious amnesiac to Roman Brady’s mistaken identity, to battling brainwashing, supernatural forces, and countless enemies — John evolved, but his love for Marina was always his anchor.
The May 23rd episode was a poetic culmination of that love and heroism.
Hoen’s real-life battle with cancer paralleled John’s final fight. In interviews, he once said: “John Black is a part of me, and I’m a part of him.”
That connection was evident in every frame of his final story.
A Community in Mourning
Fans took to social media to grieve and reflect.
“John Black’s death broke me. Drake deserved every Emmy he never got.”
“The explosion, the burns, the ‘I love you, Doc’ — it was all so perfectly John.”
The hashtag #JBlackLives trended as fans posted tributes, scenes, and calls for a miracle resurrection — a soap staple.
Still, others demanded answers:
“If that wasn’t Drake’s voice, the producers owe us the truth. We deserve to know how they honored him.”
What’s Next for Salem?
Without John, Salem is forever changed.
Marina, Steve, Hope — they’ll all carry the weight of his loss. And then there’s the mysterious “code” — could it lead to a twist? A conspiracy? A secret plan?
As always in Salem, nothing is final.
But for now, fans are mourning a hero.
The TV Days Drama Digest team joins fans in honoring Drake Hoen — and the unforgettable character he brought to life.
Whether those final words were truly his or not, they carried the full weight of a lifetime of love, courage, and sacrifice.
As Marina said: “I’m right here, John.”
And so are we — holding on to the memory of a legend.
