Wayne Northrop, TV actor known for dramas ‘Dynasty’ and ‘Days of Our Lives,’ dies at 77

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As a movie critic with a soft spot for daytime dramas that span generations, I find myself deeply saddened by the passing of yet another beloved actor from the soap opera world. Wayne Northrop, a talented actor who graced our screens for over three decades, has left us too soon at the age of 77. His contributions to shows like “Dynasty,” “Days of Our Lives,” and “Port Charles” will surely be missed.

77-year-old actor Wayne Northrop, well recognized for his performances in television series such as “Dynasty,” “Days of Our Lives,” and “Port Charles,” has sadly passed away.

As a devoted fan, I’m sharing the heartbreaking news: Legendary actor Northrop took his final breath surrounded by his beloved family, six years after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. This heartrending moment occurred at the Motion Picture and Television Fund home in Woodland Hills, as confirmed by Publicist Cynthia Snyder to The Times. His wife, the esteemed “General Hospital” actor Lynn Herring, released a statement expressing that Northrop passed peacefully in their family’s embrace.

The statement noted that Wayne’s humor and sharp intellect touched countless individuals. Furthermore, it honored Northrop as a devoted husband for 43 years, an exceptional father to his sons Hank and Grady, and a rancher who cherished his cattle and enjoyed friendships with many.

Born in Washington, Northrop had a TV acting career that lasted over three decades, traversing various networks and featuring in numerous successful dramas. A graduate of the Los Angeles Actors’ Theatre, established by “Waltons” star Ralph Waite, Northrop kick-started his professional journey in the late 1970s with bit parts on shows such as “The Waltons,” “Police Story,” and “Eight Is Enough.

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78-year-old Ron Hale, well-known for his roles as Mike Corbin in ‘General Hospital’ and Dr. Rodger Coleridge in ‘Ryan’s Hope’, passed away.

In 1981, Northrop landed his first significant role in a multi-episode stint on the Emmy-winning ABC series “Dynasty”. Over a span of six years and 35 episodes, Northrop, who intermittently appeared throughout this period, portrayed Michael Culhane, the chauffeur to John Forsythe’s character Blake Carrington, an oil tycoon. Despite appearing in less than a third of the show’s 200+ episodes, Michael was not exempt from the series’ dramatic twists and turns. Significantly, he had romantic relationships with both Fallon and Amanda Carrington, played by Pamela Sue Martin and Karen Cellini respectively. Northrop’s journey on “Dynasty” concluded in 1987, marking the end of his character’s failed attempt to undermine Blake Carrington.

Back in the days when soap operas ruled supreme, I found myself gracing the screens of NBC’s enduring drama “Days of Our Lives.” From 1981 to 2006, I made over a thousand appearances on this popular series, and interestingly enough, I returned twice. During my tenure, I had the privilege of playing several characters, including Detective Roman Brady and Dr. Alex North, both love interests of Marlena Evans, portrayed by the ever-present Deidre Hall. My on-screen romance with her even landed me a role in her 1995 TV movie, “Never Say Never: The Deidre Hall Story.

Northrop’s TV roles extended to a total of 121 episodes playing Rex Stanton on “Port Charles,” a spinoff of “General Hospital” on ABC. Additionally, he acted in shows such as “The Young Riders,” “Cold Case,” and “L.A. Law.” Moreover, his small screen appearances included TV movies like “The Haunting of Lisa,” “Going for the Gold: The Bill Johnson Story,” and “Beggarman, Thief.” Lastly, he was featured in a special titled “You Are the Jury.

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On Saturday morning, it was reported that Drake Hogestyn, known for his enigmatic and courageous portrayal of John Black in “Days of Our Lives” over almost four decades, passed away.

Wayne Alan Northrop hails from Sumner, Washington, born on April 12, 1947, to parents Robert and Donna Jean Northrop. He earned a degree in communications from the University of Washington after completing his education. Following university, Northrop embarked on a European journey for several years, picking up German during his travels. Upon returning home, Northrop joined an acting class at a local community college, which catalyzed his professional acting career.

In May 1981, Northrop tied the knot with Lynn Herring, a woman known for her roles on shows like “L.A. Law,” “Days of Our Lives,” and “Port Charles.” Since then, this couple has been managing a working cattle ranch in Raymond, California for over 30 years. Being passionate about wildlife and conservation, Northrop and Herring also acquired the Charles Miller House – the oldest house in Raymond – and turned it into the Raymond Museum.

Northrop is survived by his wife, his two sons, and stepmother Janet Northrop.

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2024-12-06 02:41