Beloved soap opera star Wayne Northrop, best known for his role as Roman Brady on "Days of Our Lives," has passed away at the age of 77. His family confirmed that he peacefully passed away on November 29th, surrounded by loved ones. Northrop had been battling early-onset Alzheimer's disease for the past six years.

Northrop's wife, actress Lynn Herring Northrop, shared a heartfelt statement expressing gratitude for the care he received at the Motion Picture and Television Home. She remembered him as a loving husband, father, and rancher, known for his humor and wit.

The actor enjoyed a long and successful career, notably portraying Roman Brady on "Days of Our Lives" in two separate stints during the 1980s and 1990s. His character was married to the iconic Dr. Marlena Evans, played by Deidra Hall. He later returned to the show in 2005 as a different character, Dr. Alex North, accumulating over 1,000 appearances on the series.

Beyond "Days of Our Lives," Northrop's acting credits include roles on "Port Charles" and "Dynasty," as well as guest appearances on classic television series like "The Waltons," "Baretta," and "Eight is Enough."

Born in Sumner, Washington, Northrop's journey to Hollywood began with a communications degree from the University of Washington, followed by travels through Europe where he became fluent in German. He honed his acting skills at Seattle Community College before moving to Los Angeles and joining the Los Angeles Actors’ Theatre. His first role came shortly after in "Police Story."

Northrop married fellow soap opera actress Lynn Herring in 1981. The couple shared two sons, Hank and Grady, and a passion for preserving history and the environment. For 35 years, they ran a cattle ranch in Raymond, California, while also restoring and operating the city’s oldest house as a local museum, which was added to the registry of historical places.

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