Popular soap opera actor, known for ‘Days of Our Lives,’ dead at 77

Actor Wayne Northrop, known best for his role on soap opera “Days of Our Lives,” died Friday. He was 77.
The longtime actor died at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home, a California retirement community for individuals who have at least 20 years of qualifying employment in the entertainment industry, his publicist Cynthia Snyder shared.
Northrop’s wife, actress Lynn Herring Northrop, said her husband was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s six years ago in a statement.
“Wayne was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s 6 years ago. He took his last breath in the arms of his family,” Herring Northrop said in the 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’s most notable role was the portrayal of Roman Brady, a detective who had a relationship with Marlena Evans (played by Diedre Hall), on “Days of Our Lives.” The character made appearances from 1981 to 1984 and again from 1991 to 1994. He returned once again from 2005 to 2006 as Dr. Alex North, a medical school classmate of Roman’s wife Dr. Marlena Evans.
The Washington-born actor also appeared in series like “Dynasty,” “L.A. Law,” “Port Charles,” “Cold Case,” and more.
He married actress and beauty pageant winner Lynn Herring in 1981. The couple had two sons, Hank and Grady.
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