Actor Wayne Northrup, best known for his roles in the TV dramas ‘Dynasty’, ‘Days of Our Lives’, and ‘Port Charles’, has died. He was 77 years old.
Publicist Cynthia Snyder confirmed to the Times that Northrop died Friday at the Film and Television Fund’s home in Woodland Hills. His wife, “General Hospital” actress Lynn Herring, said in a statement that the actor “took his last breath in the arms of his family” six years after he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
“Wayne touched many people with his sense of humor and wit,” the statement said, adding that Northrop was also remembered as “a husband of 43 years, the best father to his two sons, Hank and Grady, and a rancher who loved Wayne.” “I had many friends with cows.”
Northrop, a Washington native, has had a television career spanning more than 30 years, appearing on several networks and on several hit dramas. An alumnus of the Los Angeles Actors’ Theatre, founded by “Waltons” star Ralph Waite, Northrop began his career in the late 1970s with bit roles in series including “The Waltons,” “Police Story” and “Eight Is Enough.” .”
Northrop landed her first multi-episode role in 1981 when she joined the cast of the Emmy Award-winning ABC drama “Dynasty.” For 35 episodes, Northrop played Michael Culhane, John Forsythe’s chauffeur, with recurring appearances spanning six years. Oil tycoon Blake Carrington. Although Northrop appeared in only a few of the more than 200 episodes, his character was not immune to the drama that unfolded over the seasons. In particular, Michael had romances with sisters Fallon and Amanda Carrington, played by Pamela Sue Martin and Karen Cellini, respectively. Northrop’s “Dynasty” tenure ended in 1987. This was after his character failed in his plan to defy Patriarch Carrington.
During his ‘Dynasty’ days, Northrop also appeared on NBC’s long-running drama ‘Days of Our Lives.’ He appeared in over 1,000 episodes from 1981 to 2006 (leaving the series and then rejoining it twice), playing police Det. Roman Brady and Dr. Alex North is the romantic interest of Marlena Evans, played by Deidre Hall, who are both major characters on “Days.” Northrop’s on-screen relationship with Hall led to her appearance in the 1995 TV movie “Never Say Never: The Deidre Hall Story.”
Northrop’s television career includes 121 episodes as Rex Stanton on ABC’s “Port Charles” (a spinoff of “General Hospital”) and roles on the series “The Young Riders,” “Cold Case” and “LA Law.” I was in charge of. He also appeared in the TV movies “The Haunting of Lisa,” “Going for the Gold: The Bill Johnson Story,” “Beggarman, Thief” and the special “You Are the Jury.”
Wayne Alan Northrop was born April 12, 1947, to Robert and Donna Jean Northrop. He grew up in Sumner, Washington, and earned a degree in communications from the University of Washington. After college, Northrop traveled around Europe for several years, learning German. Upon returning home, Northrop enrolled in acting classes at a local community college, which helped launch his professional acting career.
Northrop married Lynn Herring in May 1981 (her TV credits also include “LA Law,” “Days of Our Lives” and “Port Charles”). The spouses purchased a working cattle ranch in Raymond, California where they spent over 30 years. Bitch to run it. Dedicated to wildlife and conservation, Northrop and Herring also acquired the Charles Miller House, the first and oldest home in Raymond, and transformed it into the Raymond Museum.
Northrop is survived by his wife, two sons and stepmother, Janet Northrop.
