DAYS: RIP Wayne Northrop

[Liberty City]

Even he recognized this. Per the news posting on Soap Opera Digest:

❝ The actor’s DAYS career began inauspiciously, when he was was asked to come in to read for a role on the show. The actor recalled to Soap Opera Digest in 2015, “I tested with Dee [Deidre Hall, Marlena], and then they said, ‘We want you!’ They ended up creating a whole family around the character, which was a special thing.”

In addition to that family that fleshed out Northrop’s character (parents Caroline and Shawn, brother Bo and sisters Kayla and Kimberly) and Roman’s growing friendship with his best bud on the Salem police force, Abe Carver (“I just loved working with Jim Reynolds [Abe]. He was like a brother to me,” Northrop told Digest), the actor was kept plenty busy in storyline opposite Hall, with Roman and Marlena becoming one of the show’s most popular duos. As he put it to Digest in 2015, “Dee and I just hit it off and we’re still friends. There was a natural flow between us that just kept going and going. Our characters were diametrically opposed individuals that fell in love and the audience really bought into it. So, kudos to us and to the writers!” ❞

[soapfan770]

OMG!!! Not another Days icon after Drake just passed away

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My heart definitely goes out to Lynn and Deidre. 

Although the 91-94 return run was rocky I still enjoyed his time on Days and also liked him as Culhane on Dynasty. Once I saw his 80’s work I absolutely enjoyed his first run as well. 

May he rest in peace.

[Faulkner]

[Maxim]

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[AMCOLTLLover]

Are u kidding me? Deidre just signed my picture of her and Wayne last month and was smiling: ahh the good old days!

and now we are losing him too? What a tough year for Days of our lives and everyone involved

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[BetterForgotten]

RIP, and condolences to Lynn and their family. 

I always hated the way DAYS wrote for him when he returned in 1991 and the way he was ultimately discarded. He deserved so much better. 

[Faulkner]

[janea4old]

NYTimes obit
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/01/arts/television/wayne-northrop-dead.html

Here is a non-paywall copy of his NY Times obit:
https://archive.is/bE9Uh

I see that the NYTimes didn't really know a lot because they seemed to assume that Alex North was as relevant as Roman Brady, and they quoted the soaps.com bio of Alex North.

 

[YRfan23]

So sad to hear this! 

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 my heart breaks for Lynn and his family, and I agree both the Days and GH cast has dealt with too many losses these past couple years! 

[Titus Andronicus]

Damn. When I began watching was the last few months of his run as Roman in 1993. I've seen a good bit of clips from his first run.

The 1983-84 Slasher storyline is my overall favorite and all of it because of how good Northrop was in it. His confrontation with Abe while on the run, where he convinces Abe he's sane is a tremendous scene. Northrop could play anything ... and it's disappointing that 1991-94 took away almost all of Roman's sensitive side and humor.

IIRC Hall required Northrop as a package deal to get her back in 1991. A shame Days didn't appreciate what they had. After the two Romans business was done, they gave him nothing for a long time until the meatiness of the affair. Only to foul up the aftermath so bad Northrop took off. 

That said, Days was gifted Lynn Herring in 1992 and screwed that up horrifically.

[Wendy]

What awful news. Dementia is the worst. Condolences to Lynn Herring and their sons. What a terrible time for Days, now losing Wayne Northrop, but also Drake Hogestyn and Bill Hayes.

James Reilly really treated him horribly during his last Days stint. How sad that both actors to truly make their mark with Roman Brady are now gone. (Sorry to Josh Taylor, but you'll always be Chris Kositchek to me.)

[Contessa Donatella]

May light perpetual shine upon him & bring him peace. May angels  & heavenly hosts guide him to his new home. May he be met there by long-missed friends & family, having a feast in his honor & only awaiting his presence. May beloved pets run up to greet him. 

[DRW50]

I feel so bad for Lynn, and their family, and so many at DAYS who loved him. And for fans. DAYS had some of the most passionate fans, and as much as the show tried to replace or move past Wayne, he was a big part of that fan devotion.

I don't think Wayne ever found another part that showcased him the way that first Roman run did. Even his return to Dynasty was just another waste (along with so many castings in those years). Yet that work he did for a few years four decades ago continues to generate love and fondness for him. 

[DaytimeFan]

77 is very young these days. To be diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's is such a tragedy. The Motion Picture and Television Hospital is a wonderful place and I know he would have been well cared for in his final years.

God bless him and Lynn, whose in my thoughts. May his memory be a blessing.

[Maxim]

I lost my grandmother to this disease that slowly took her from us for years... till it was finally over. This is just hitting me right in the core. Bringing back so much memories. I am praying for his family tonight. Can't stop thinking about him. May his soul rest in peace. 

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