Wayne Northrop, ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Dynasty’ actor, dies at 77

Wayne Northrop, best known for his roles on Days of Our Lives and Dynasty, has died at the age of 77. He passed away on Friday at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, following a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease, his publicist confirmed.

Northrop’s career spanned decades, with notable roles in over 1,000 episodes of Days of Our Lives as Detective Roman Brady and later as Dr. Alex North. He also portrayed Michael Culhane, the chauffeur of Blake Carrington, on the iconic soap Dynasty. His other TV credits include Port Charles, L.A. Law, Hotel, Cold Case, and You Are the Jury.

His wife, actress Lynn Herring Northrop, shared a heartfelt statement, describing her husband as “the best dad ever” to their sons, Hank and Grady, and a passionate rancher. Northrop was known for his humor, wit, and love of wildlife conservation, managing a cattle ranch in Raymond, California, where he and his wife also preserved a historic property.

Born on April 12, 1947, in Sumner, Washington, Northrop pursued acting after studying communications at the University of Washington and attending acting classes. His first big break came in 1975 when he joined the Los Angeles Actors’ Theatre, which led to his television career. Northrop is survived by his wife, sons, and his stepmother, Janet.