Wayne Northrop, circa 1985. Photo: Dianna Whitley/Getty
Wayne Northrop, the actor beloved for his roles in Days of Our Lives and Dynasty, has passed away at the age of 77. He died on Friday, Nov. 29, at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home in Los Angeles, six years after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, according to a statement shared with PEOPLE.
His wife, actress Lynn Herring Northrop, 66, expressed her gratitude in the statement, saying, “He took his last breath in the arms of his family.” She also thanked the caregivers at the Motion Picture and Television Home for their exceptional care, adding, “Wayne touched so many people with his sense of humor and wit. He was a loving husband for 43 years, the best dad to his sons, Hank and Grady, and a rancher who loved his cows and had many friends.”
Northrop is most remembered for his role as detective Roman Brady on Days of Our Lives, which he played from 1981 to 1984, and again from 1991 to 1994. Over the years, he appeared in over 1,000 episodes, where his on-screen chemistry with actress Deidre Hall, who portrayed Dr. Marlena Evans, became a fan favorite.
In addition to his iconic soap opera role, Northrop portrayed Michael Culhane on Dynasty and Rex Stanton on Port Charles. He also made guest appearances on several other series, including L.A. Law, Hotel, and Cold Case.
Born on April 12, 1947, in Sumner, Washington, Northrop was the son of Robert and Donna Jean Northrop. After graduating with a degree in communications from the University of Washington, he traveled across Europe before enrolling in acting classes at Seattle Community College. He eventually moved to Hollywood to pursue acting, joining the Los Angeles Actors' Theatre in 1975. His big break came when he landed a small role on the crime drama Police Story.
In 1981, Northrop married Lynn Herring, whom he had met in acting class. The couple later bought a working cattle ranch in Raymond, California, where they spent over three decades. They also restored the town’s oldest building, a 19th-century home, and turned it into a museum.
Northrop was deeply passionate about wildlife conservation, and his cattle ranch reflected his commitment to environmental sustainability. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two sons, Hank and Grady, and his stepmother, Janet Northrop.
