Wayne Northrop, the actor known for his roles on Dynasty and Days of Our Lives, has died. He was 77.
The soap star’s publicist Cynthia Snyder tells Deadline he died Friday at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home following a years-long struggle with Alzheimer’s.
“Wayne was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s 6 years ago. He took his last breath in the arms of his family,” said Wayne’s wife, actress Lynn Herring Northrop, in a statement. “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.”
Wayne famously played tough, yet kind-hearted Detective Roman Brady on Days of Our Lives from 1981 to 1984, returning for a stint from 1991 to 1994. He returned once again as Dr. Alex North from 2005 to 2006, a medical school classmate of Roman’s wife Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidra Hall).
The actor also played chauffeur Michael Culhane on the first season of Dynasty in 1981 before reprising the role in Season 7. Additionally, he portrayed the sexy and dangerous Rex Stanton on Port Charles from 1997 to ’98.
Wayne Northrop and Deidre Hall in Days of Our Lives (1983). (Mario Casilli/TV Guide/NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection)
Born April 12, 1947 in Sumner, Washington, Wayne graduated with a BA in communications from University of Washington before taking an acting class at Seattle Community College, after which he pursued an acting career in Los Angeles.
After joining Ralph Waite’s newly formed Los Angeles Actors’ Theatre in 1975, Wayne landed an agent and booked his first onscreen role in an episode of Police Story. His other credits include The Waltons, Hotel, L.A. Law and Cold Case.
Wayne, who was passionate about wildlife and conservation causes, purchased a working cattle ranch in Raymond, California, with wife Lynn in the late ’80s. In 2008, they purchased the oldest house in Raymond, built in 1886, and converted it into a museum that is now on the registry of historical places.
Wayne is survived by Lynn, sons Hank (and wife Laura) and Grady, and stepmother Janet Northrop.
