Wayne Northrop was an actor best known for his performances in the soap operas “Days of Our Lives,” “Dynasty,” and “Port Charles.”
- Died: November 29, 2024 (Who else died on November 29?)
- Details of death: Died at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California of complications from Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 77.
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Wayne Northrop’s legacy
Northrop appeared in episodes of a few hit TV shows – “Eight Is Enough,” “Baretta,” “The Waltons” – before he got his break. That came with the 1981 premiere of “Dynasty.” Northrop played Michael Culhane, the chauffeur who drove oil magnate Blake Carrington. He had his own juicy storylines, including an affair with his boss’ daughter. Northrop left the show after the first season, though he returned for a prominent storyline in season seven.
While he was away from “Dynasty,” Northrop was busy becoming one of the stars of “Days of Our Lives.” He joined the cast in 1981 as Roman Brady, the former police commissioner and spy who became the arch-nemesis of crime boss Stefano DiMera. When Northrop left “Days of Our Lives” in 1984 with Brady’s apparent death, Drake Hogestyn (1953–2024) joined as John Black, later revealed to be Brady after facial reconstruction surgery and brainwashing. In 1991, Northrop returned to the soap opera – as Brady. A quick retcon and a bit more brainwashing of Hogestyn’s character explained the situation.
After leaving “Days of Our Lives” again in 1994, Northrop joined the cast of “General Hospital” spinoff “Port Charles” in 1997. He played Rex Stanton in 121 episodes across two years, appearing alongside his wife, Lynn Herring, who was also a star of “General Hospital.” In 2005, Northrop returned to “Days of Our Lives,” but not as Brady, who was by then being played by Josh Taylor. Instead, he played Dr. Alex North, brought to the town of Salem to help Marlena Evans – who had been in a relationship with Brady in Northrop’s early days on the series – recover from amnesia. He remained for a year, and it was his final TV role.
Tributes to Wayne Northrop
Full obituary: The New York Times
