Wayne Northrop, ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Dynasty’ Actor, Dies at 77

Wayne Northrop, the actor known for roles on Days of Our Lives and Dynasty, has died. He was 77.

Northrop died Friday at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, publicist Cynthia Snyder told The Hollywood Reporter. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago.

“He took his last breath in the arms of his family,” Northrop’s wife and fellow soap star, Lynn Herring Northrop, said 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.”

Northrop appeared on more than 1,000 episodes of Days of Our Lives, first as Detective Roman Brady and then as Dr. Alex North. On Dynasty, he played Michael Culhane, chauffeur of oil tycoon Blake Carrington. On Port Charles, he portrayed the manipulative Rex Stanton.

Northrop also appeared on such other series as L.A. Law, Hotel, You Are the Jury and Cold Case.

Wayne Northrop was born April 12, 1947, to Robert and Donna Jean Northrop in Sumner, Washington. He graduated with a degree in communications from the University of Washington before taking an acting class at Seattle Community College and moving to Las Angeles to pursue an acting career.

He joined the newly formed Los Angeles Actors’ Theatre headed by Ralph Waite in 1975, which led to his first agent and television role, a small part on an episode of Police Story.

He married Lynn in May 1981, and the couple later purchased a working cattle ranch in Raymond, California. Passionate about wildlife and conservation, he ran the ranch with his environmental beliefs in mind. In 2008, he and his wife purchased the oldest house in Raymond, built in 1886, and converted it into a museum that’s now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Survivors also include his stepmother, Janet.

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