Wayne Northrop, ‘Dynasty’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’ actor, dead at 77
Wayne Northrop, best known for his roles in “Dynasty” and “Days of Our Lives,” has died at age 77.
His publicist, Cynthia Snyder, confirmed to The Post that Northrop died Friday at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home after a years-long battle 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,” Northrop’s wife, 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,” she added. “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.”
The Post has reached out to Northrop’s rep for comment.
Northrop was born in Sumner, Washington on April 12, 1947. He 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.
Some of Northrop’s earliest acting credits included one-episode stints on the shows “Enough Is Enough,” “Baretta,” and “The Waltons.”
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 “General Hospital” spinoff “Port Charles” as Rex Stanton from 1997 to 1998.
His other most famous role was as Michael Culhane in “Dynasty.” He starred on the ABC soap opera from 1981 to 1987.
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).
Northrop married his wife Lynn, 67, in 1981.
Lynn was Miss Virginia USA 1977 and was the 4th runner-up in Miss USA 1977.
She has played Lucy Coe on-and-off on “General Hospital” and “Port Charles” since 1986. She has been nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Northrop, who was passionate about wildlife and conservation, purchased a working cattle ranch in Raymond, Calif. with his wife after they got married. They later bought the oldest house in Raymond in 2008 and converted it into a museum that is now on the registry of historical places.