Wayne Northrop took his last breath in the arms of his wife

Wayne Northrop, the beloved star of Days of Our Lives and Dynasty, captured hearts with his unforgettable roles.

But on Friday, November 29, the soap opera legend passed away at 77.

“He took his last breath in the arms of his family,” Northrop’s wife, actress Lynn Herring Northrop, 66, said in statement obtained by People.

If you’re not a soap opera fan, Wayne Northrop’s name might not ring a bell. But for those who are, he was one of daytime television’s most captivating and unforgettable leading men.

But Wayne Northrop wasn’t just a talented actor who brought unforgettable characters to life — he was a beloved husband, father, and friend.

Wayne Northrop’s rise to fame

Born on April 12, 1947, in Sumner, Washington, Wayne followed his dream of acting at the University of Washington and later honed his craft at the esteemed American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Before pursuing acting, he worked for a cable television company and spent much of his time traveling across Europe.

He rose to fame in 1981 as Detective Roman Brady on Days of Our Lives, bringing depth and intensity to one of the show’s most beloved characters. Roman Brady was far from the typical soap opera heartthrob. Instead, he won over countless adoring female fans with his sharp wit, genuine warmth, and undeniable charm.

For Days of Our Lives fans, Wayne was a shining star who made every scene unforgettable, leaving a legacy that will be cherished forever.

Though Northrop left in 1984, fans were thrilled when he returned in 1991 and again in 1997, this time playing the mysterious Dr. Alex North.

What Wayne Northrop’s colleagues loved most about him

Wayne’s talent wasn’t confined to one show. He also made his mark as Mikkos Cassadine on General Hospital and starred in the primetime soap The Yellow Rose. Beyond soaps, his career included memorable guest appearances on hit series like The A-Team, Dynasty, and Magnum, P.I.. Whether playing a hero or a villain, Wayne brought a charisma that kept audiences hooked.

For many, Wayne Northrop wasn’t just a gifted actor — he was a part of their daily lives, creating characters that felt like family.

”Wayne was always funny,” Susan Seaforth Hayes, who has famously played Julie Olson Williams on Days of Our Lives for more than five decades, told Us Weekly.

”Everybody loved him. He worked very, very hard.”

Life on the ranch with his wife

Wayne Northrop shared a beautiful life with his wife, actress Lynn Herring, whom he married in 1981. Their wedding took place in Jennings, Louisiana, Lynn’s mother’s hometown.

After the couple met, Lynn became a daytime phenomenon in her own right, captivating audiences as the unforgettable psychopathic librarian Lucy Coe on General Hospital. The couple first crossed paths in an acting class in Venice, California. Initially, Wayne didn’t pay much attention to Lynn.

“I was trying to figure out how to get his attention. But when I did, we just clicked. We have the same non-stop approach to acting. We take work seriously but not the rest of the business,” Lynn shared while speaking with the Toronto Star in 1997.

Wayne Northrop children

Together, they raised two sons, Hank Wayne (born 1991) and Grady Lee (1994), and built a serene life on a cattle ranch in Raymond, California, where they devoted themselves to breeding and caring for horses.

In a 1997 interview with Soap Opera Digest, Lynn shared her love for ranch life.

”Wayne goes whenever he gets the chance because he’s the business manager, the rancher — everything. It’s the best life I could picture for the kids: so many wonderful things up there, really nice people. It’s a lot less complicated than L.A.”

Overall, the couple had a rather critical view of Tinseltown and preferred ranch life over wearing glamorous outfits.

”I call this place Hollyweird. I vowed it would never get to me. I’ve seen other lives wrecked by the excesses of this place. The ranch is our outpost of sanity. It’s a constant reminder there’s another world out there. I like acting but I can’t let it control me,” Lynn said.

After stepping away from the spotlight in the early 2000s, Wayne focused on his family and personal passions.

Wayne fully embraced ranch life, and in 2008, he and Lynn purchased and lovingly restored the oldest house in Raymond, originally built in 1886.

Wayne Northrop cause of death

Tragically, Wayne faced a devastating illness in the final years of his life.

“Wayne was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s six years ago. He took his last breath in the arms of his family,” his wife, Lynn Herring Northrop, shared in a heartfelt statement to Deadline. “We wish to thank the most caring and amazing place, The Motion Picture and Television Home, for taking such great care of him.”

The actor is survived by his beloved wife Lynn, their sons Hank and Grady , and his stepmother, Janet Northrop.