(NEXSTAR) — Wayne Northrop, well known for his roles on multiple soap operas has died, according to multiple reports. He was 77 years old.
Northrop died Friday, six years after he was diagnosed with “early onset Alzheimer’s,” his wife, Lynn Herring Northrop, said in a statement obtained by USA Today, TMZ, and other outlets. He had been in an assisted living facility, according to his publicist.
Early-onset Alzheimer’s, sometimes known as younger-onset Alzheimer’s, impacts those who are younger than 65 years old, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. While the exact number of Americans diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s is unclear, the Mayo Clinic reports roughly 110 of every 100,000 adults between 30 and 64 have the disease.
“Wayne touched so many people with his sense of humor and wit,” Herring Northrop said. “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.”
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DYNASTY – Wayne Northrop and Karen Cellini Gallery August 19, 1986. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) WAYNE NORTHROP -
Unspecified – 1997: Wayne Northrop on ‘Port Charles’. (Photo by Cathy Blaivas /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) -
NEW YORK CITY – MAY 21: Actress Lynn Herring and actor Wayne Northrop attend the 26th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on May 21, 1999 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) -
Unspecified – 1998: (L-R) Wayne Northrop, Lynn Herring on ‘Port Charles’. (Photo by Cathy Blaivas /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Northrop’s acting career began in the 1970s with an appearance on “Police Story,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. He would go on to appear on other television shows, including “Baretta: and “The Waltons.”
His most well-known roles, however, came later.
Northrop appeared in 35 episodes of the TV series “Dynasty” as chauffeur Michael Culhane in the 1980s. He also has a five-episode arc as Lieutenant Bill Ringstrom on “L.A. Law.” Northrop played Rex Stanton in over 120 episodes of “Port Charles.”
Northrop’s most recent roles were on the soap opera, “Days of Our Lives,” in which he appeared in more than 1,030 episodes, his IMDb page shows. He first played Detective Roman Brady, followed by Dr. Alex North.
Citing an obituary provided by Northrop’s family, USA Today reports the actor was passionate about conservation. He and his wife, also an actor, purchased a cattle ranch in Raymond, California, and had been running it for 35 years.
Northrop is survived by his wife, two sons, and stepmother.