Days Of Our Lives star Wayne Northrop dies aged 77 after Alzheimer’s battle as wife Lynn Herring pays touching tribute
FORMER Dynasty and Days of Our Lives actor Wayne Northrop has died at the age of 77.
The sad news was confirmed by his publicist Cynthia Snyder, who said Northrop died at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home, an assisted living facility for those in the film industry on Friday.
The TV actor had battled Alzheimer’s disease for six years.
Northrop’s wife Lynn Herring Northrop issued a statement, saying: “He took his last breath in the arms of his family.
“We wish to thank the most caring and amazing place, The Motion Picture and Television Home for taking such great care of him.
“Wayne touched so many people with his sense of humor and wit.
“A husband for 43 years, the best dad ever to his two boys, Hank and Grady, and a rancher who loved his cows and was a friend to many.”
Northrop famously portrayed Detective Roman Brady on “Days of Our Lives” from 1981 to 1984, and then from 1991 to 1994.
He later played Dr. Alex North on the NBC soap opera from 2005 to 2006.
Northrop also appeared on the shows “L.A. Firefighters” and “Cold Case” and the TV movies “Never Say Never: The Deidre Hall Story” (1995) and “The Haunting of Lisa” (1996).
His last credit on IMDb was a role on a 2004 episode of Cold Case.
Born in Sumner, Washington on April 12, 1947, Northrop earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington, and then took an acting class at Seattle Community College before moving to Los Angeles.
Northrop broke into the film industry in the late 1970s … starting out by appearing in bit roles on shows like “Baretta” and “The Waltons.”
He got his big break in 1981 when he got a recurring role in the show “Dynasty”, appearing in the pilot as Michael Culhane, chauffer to oil baron John Forsythe’s Blake Carrington.
He is survived by Lynn and their two sons, Hank and Grady.
Fans of Northrop took to social media platform X (formally Twitter) to share their condolences online.
One person wrote: “Such sad news. Another soap great gone. My deepest condolences to Lynn and their boys and all his family and friends. RIP,”
Another said: That’s incredibly sad news. Wayne Northrop was such a talented actor who brought so much to iconic shows like Days of Our Lives and Dynasty.
“His work left a lasting impact, and he’ll be deeply missed. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.”
A third added: “I am deeply saddened to learn the news of Wayne’s passing. My heart goes out to Lynn & family. Sending hugs during this difficult time.”