Wayne Northrop: Days Of Our Lives, Dynasty star dies aged 77 in Los Angeles

One of the world’s most famous soap opera actors, Wayne Northrop, has died in a Los Angeles hospital.

Northrop, who was best known for his two roles in the iconic daytime ‘soap’, Days Of Our Lives, died aged 77 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Northrop reportedly died on Friday at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, his publicist Cynthia Snyder told The Hollywood Reporter.

Morhtrop’s wide and fellow soap opera, Lynn Herring Northrop delivered a statement after the former Dynasty actor succumbed to his ailment.

“He took his last breath in the arms of his family,” Ms Herring Northrop said.

“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 humour 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 appeared on more than 1,000 episodes of Days of Our Lives, first as Detective Roman Brady and then as Dr. Alex North.

On Dynasty, he played Michael Culhane, chauffeur of oil tycoon Blake Carrington.

Northrop also appeared on such other series as L.A. Law, Hotel, You Are the Jury and Cold Case.

Wayne Northrop was born April 12, 1947, to Robert and Donna Jean Northrop in Sumner, Washington. He graduated with a degree in communications from the University of Washington before taking an acting class at Seattle Community College and moving to Las Angeles to pursue an acting career.

He married Lynn Herring Northrop in 1981, and the couple later purchased a working cattle ranch in Raymond, California.

In 2008, he and his wife purchased the oldest house in Raymond, built in 1886, and converted it into a museum that’s now on the National Register of Historic Places.