Wayne Northrop did twice the work on Days of Our Lives, now on Peacock, as he played both Roman Brady and Dr. Alex North in more than a thousand episodes of the long-running opera. Sadly, he died at 77 on Friday at his Television Woodland Hills Home in Woodland Hills, California.
Although the cause of his death has not been confirmed, the late icon suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for six years. He is survived by his wife, Lynn Northrop Herring, their sons, Hank Northrop and Grady Northrop, and his stepmother, Janet Northrop.
Remembering Wayne Northrop on ‘Days of Our Lives’
Before starring in Days of Our Lives, now on Peacock, Wayne started in theater and had a successful run after joining the Los Angeles Actor’s Theater. He then broke into TV with the crime drama film Police Story, which opened doors to more productions like The Waltons, Enough Is Enough, and You Are The Jury.
He joined Days Of Our Lives on Peacock in 1981 as Roman Brady, which he did until 1984. However, he returned in the early ‘90s to reprise the role. He made yet another comeback in 2005 as Dr. Alex before finally leaving in 2006.
Wayne Northrop died surrounded by family
Wayne’s family was present when he took his last breath, and his wife Lynn acknowledged the Motion Picture and Television Home for looking after him in his final moments. Her statement also included praise for Wayne’s humor and wit and his unique passions outside of acting.
The University of Washington graduate purchased a cattle ranch in Raymond, California, and has looked after cows for the last 35 years to reflect his environmental beliefs. Wayne never officially retired from acting, but his time away showed that his interests shifted away from the spotlight to a quieter life.