R.I.P. Wayne Northrop: ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Roman Brady Dead At 77

Longtime Days Of Our Lives star Wayne Northrop has passed away after a years-long battle with early onset Alzheimers. He was 77.

Northrop’s publicist Cynthia Snider confirmed to Deadline the actor died Friday (Nov. 29) at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home.

His wife, actress Lynn Herring Northrop, released a statement confirming his passing. “Wayne was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s 6 years ago. He took his last breath in the arms of his family,” she said.

She continued, “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.”

Wayne was best known for playing Detective Roman Brady from 1981 to 1984, then again from 1991 to 1994. He later returned to the show in 2005 to play Dr. Alex North, a classmate who strikes up a romance with Marlena Evans (Diedre Hall).

Wayne also played chauffeur Michael Culhane in Dynasty Season 1 and again later in Season 7.

He also starred in Port Charles, the General Hospital spinoff series, as Rex Stanton between 1997 and 1998.

Wayne’s acting career began in 1977 in the series Eight Is Enough, with credits in The Waltons, Hotel, L.A. Law and Cold Case.

Days of our Lives actress Ali Sweeney mourned the actor with a post on social media, writing, “My first scenes as Sami were with Wayne – I remember him helping me understand how to pretend to break into the Brady house with a bobby-pin. He was a wonderful, kind man, a talented, generous actor and a beloved member of the Days family. I learned so much from working with Wayne and will treasure the memories with him.”

Outside of his acting career, Wayne and his wife operated a cattle ranch in Raymond, California. They also purchased the oldest house in Raymond and converted it into a museum, per Deadline.

Wayne is survived by his wife Lynn and his sons Hank and Grady.