Wayne Northrop, known for his acting roles in Days of our lives And dynastyhas died. He was 77.

The actor died on Friday, November 29, at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home in Los Angeles, six years after he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, according to a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

“He took his last breath in the arms of his family,” Northrop’s wife, actress Lynn Herring Northrop, 66, said in the statement.

“We would like to thank the most caring and amazing place, the Motion Picture and Television Home, for taking such great care of him,” she continued. “Wayne touched so many people with his sense of humor and wit. Husband of 43 years, the best father ever to his two sons, Hank and Grady, and a rancher who loved his cows and was a friend to many.”

Northrop is best known for his portrayal of detective Roman Brady on NBC Days of our livess from 1981 to 1984 and again from 1991 to 1994. He appeared in more than 1,000 episodes of the series and the role included a fan-favorite on-screen romance with actress Deidre Hall, who starred in the series Dr. Marlena Evans plays.

Northrop’s other notable roles include Michael Culhane dynasty and Rex Stanton Port Charles. He also appeared in individual episodes of a number of series including LA law, hotel And Cold case.

Northrop was born on April 12, 1947 to Robert and Donna Jean Northrop and grew up in the small town of Sumner, Washington. He graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in communications and then traveled around Europe for several years. enrolled in an acting class at Seattle Community College.

He eventually moved to Hollywood to pursue acting more seriously, joining the newly formed Los Angeles Actors’ Theater in 1975. The decision eventually led to his first television role, a small part in an episode of the crime drama Police story.

Northrup and his wife – who married in 1981 after meeting in an acting class – eventually bought a working cattle ranch in Raymond, California, and have spent the last 35 years running the property. They also acquired the city’s oldest house – built in 1886 – and turned it into a heritage site and museum that tourists can visit.

The actor is “strongly committed to protecting wildlife,” the family statement said, and the cattle ranch is run in a way that reflects “environmental beliefs.”

In addition to his wife, Northrup is survived by his two adult children, Hank and Grady, and his stepmother, Janet Northrop.