Wayne Northrop, the actor known for his roles in dynasty And Days of our liveshas died. He was 77.

The soap star’s publicist, Cynthia Snyder, told Deadline that he died Friday at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home after a years-long battle with Alzheimer’s.

“Six years ago, Wayne was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. He took his last breath in the arms of his family,” Wayne’s wife, actress Lynn Herring Northrop, said in a 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. 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.”

Wayne famously played the tough but kind-hearted Detective Roman Brady Days of our lives From 1981 to 1984 he returned for a short period from 1991 to 1994. From 2005 to 2006 he returned again as Dr. Alex North returns, a classmate of Roman’s wife Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) at medical school.

The actor also played chauffeur Michael Culhane in the first season dynasty in 1981, before reprising the role in Season 7. He also portrayed the sexy and dangerous Rex Stanton in Port Charles from 1997 to 1998.

Born on April 12, 1947, in Sumner, Washington, Wayne graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in communications before taking an acting course at Seattle Community College and then pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles.

After joining Ralph Waite’s newly formed Los Angeles Actors’ Theater in 1975, Wayne got an agent and booked his first screen role in an episode of Police story. His other credits include: The Waltons, hotel, LA Law And Cold case.

Passionate about wildlife and conservation, Wayne purchased a working cattle ranch in Raymond, California with his wife Lynn in the late 1980s. In 2008, they purchased the oldest house in Raymond, dating back to 1886, and converted it into a museum, which is now listed on the Register of Historic Places.

Wayne is survived by Lynn, sons Hank (and wife Laura) and Grady, and stepmother Janet Northrop.