Actor Wayne Northrop has died aged 77 after a long health battle.
The star, who was best known for roles in Dynasty and Days Of Our Lives had been battling with Alzheimer’s for the past six years.
News of his death was confirmed by his publicist, Cynthia Snyder, who revealed Northrop had died at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home.
Northrop’s wide, Lynn Herring Northrop, 67, said in a statement shared by the New York Post: “Wayne was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s 6 years ago. He took his last breath in the arms of his family.
“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 was born in Sumner, Washington, on April 12, 1947, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington, before taking an acting class at Seattle Community College and ultimately moving to Los Angeles.
His early credits include one-episode stints on shows including The Waltons, Baretta, and Enough Is Enough.
One of his best-known roles was as Detective Brady on Days Of Our Lives from 1981 to 1984, and again from 1991 until 1994. He later also played Dr. Alex North on the NBC soap opera between 2005 and 2006.
He also starred as Rex Stanton on the General Hospital spin-off Port Charles between 1997 and 1998.
Northrop’s most famous role was as Michael Culhane in the ABC soap opera Dynasty, which he portrayed from 1981 until 1987.
He went on to have several other roles on shows including Cold Case, LA Firefighters, The Haunting of Lisa, and Never Say Never: The Deidre Hall Story.
Off-screen, Northrop married his wife Lynn in 1981 and he and the Miss USA 1977 finalist went on to have two sons together.
Lynn, who also starred on General Hospital and Port Charles as Lucy Coe since 1986, is a Daytime Emmy Award nominee.
The couple bought a working cattle ranch in Raymond, California, after they got married, owing to Northrop’s passion for wildlife and conservation, and the couple also bought the oldest house in the town in 2008 and converted it into a museum, which is now on the registry of historical places.
Our thoughts remain with Northrop’s family, friends, and fans at this heartbreaking time.
