Hogestyn was born on September 29, 1953, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he graduated from North Side High School.

After a few minor roles (one as Kort, leader of the Micro Workers in the episode 'Princess Metra' on the 80s television series Otherworld), Hogestyn joined the cast of Days of our Lives in 1986.

[citation needed] The pairing of John Black and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) is one of the show's enduring supercouples.

[citation needed] In November 2008, it was announced Hogestyn, along with Hall, had been fired from Days of Our Lives, with budget cuts cited as reason for their exits.

[4] In July 2011, it was announced Hogestyn and Hall would reprise their roles as John and Marlena, respectively, in an attempt to "refresh" the soap.