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

As a reviewer who has spent a lifetime immersed in the world of soaps, I must say that Wayne Northrop was more than just a familiar face on our screens – he was a stalwart, a beacon of kindness and resilience in the often tumultuous landscape of daytime drama. His portrayal of Detective Roman Brady on “Days of Our Lives” brought a sense of stability and grace to the show, and his character’s enduring love story with Deidre Hall’s Dr. Marlena Evans will forever be etched in the hearts of fans.

Actor Wayne Northrop, recognized for his roles in the soap operas “Days of Our Lives,” “Dynasty,” and “Port Charles,” has passed away at the age of 77.

Northrop passed away on a Friday at the Motion Picture and Television Fund’s retirement home in Woodland Hills, California, as confirmed by his representative to EbMaster. (Paraphrased)

Six years ago, I was given the heartbreaking news that I had early onset Alzheimer’s. Yesterday, I took my final breath, surrounded by the love and support of my family. I want to express my deepest gratitude to The Motion Picture and Television Home for their exceptional care during this challenging time. With my infectious humor and sharp wit, I touched the lives of countless people. For 43 years, I was a loving husband to my wife, and the best father a boy could ever ask for to Hank and Grady. Beyond acting, I found joy in ranching, cherishing my cows, and making friends along the way.

Actor Northrop played the role of the hard-but-compassionate Detective Roman Brady on “Days of Our Lives” from 1981 to 1984 and again from 1991 to 1994. His character was famously linked with Deidre Hall’s Dr. Marlena Evans through romance and marriage. In 2005, Northrop reappeared in the cast of the NBC soap opera as Dr. Alex North, a college contemporary of Dr. Marlena Evans.

I had the privilege of portraying Rex Stanton on ABC’s “Port Charles” from 1997 to 1998, and I stepped into the role of Michael Culhane, the chauffeur, during both the first and seventh seasons of the iconic series “Dynasty.

Born on the 12th of April, 1947, Northrop hails from the humble town of Sumner, Washington, where he was nurtured by his parents Robert and Donna Jean Northrop. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Washington and further honed his craft through acting courses at Seattle Community College.

In 1975, he became a part of the freshly established Los Angeles Actors’ Theatre, led by Ralph Waite. Later on, he secured his first television role in an episode of “Police Story” and went on to make guest appearances in shows like “Cold Case”, “The Haunting of Lisa”, and “The Deidre Hall Story”. Additionally, Northrop participated in the NBC special “You Are the Jury: The State of Arizona v. Dr. Evan Blake” (1986) and the CBS TV movie “Guts and Glory: The Bill Johnson Story” (1985).

Northrop is mourned by his spouse Lynn, whom he married on May 9, 1981, as well as his sons Hank (together with Laura) and Grady, and also his stepmother, Janet Northrop.

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2024-12-01 21:48