Wayne Northrop, an actor known best for his time on Days of Our Lives, has died aged 77.
The news was confirmed by Northrop’s publicist, who told Deadline the actor died at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
”Wayne was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s [six] years ago. He took his last breath in the arms of his family,” his wife, actress Lynn Herring Northrop, said in a statement shared with the outlet.Deadline.
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“We wish to thank the most caring and amazing place, The Motion Picture and Television Home for taking such great care of him,” the statement continued.
“Wayne touched so many people with his sense of humour 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.”
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Northrop was born on April 12, 1947, in Washington, graduating from the University of Washington with a Bachelors of Communications before heading to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.
He scored his first on-screen role in an episode of Police Story, with appearances in The Waltons, Hotel, L.A. Law, and Cold Case to follow.
But it was his role in Days of Our Lives that shot Northrop to fame.
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He starred in the popular soap from 1981 to 1984 as Detective Roman Brady, reprising the role from 1991 to 1994.
Then, in 2005 he appeared on the show as Dr. Alex North, a new character who was his former character’s wife’s (Dr. Marlena Evans, played by Deidre Hall) friend from medical school.
He also had a notable role on the first season of the original Dynasty series in 1981.
Northrop appeared as chauffeur, Michael Culhane, reprising the role in season seven.
The actor is survived by his wife and his two sons, Hank and Grady.
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