Days of Our Lives Family Rallies Around Wayne Northrop’s Nearest and Dearest, Promising to ‘Treasure the Memories’

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The folks at Days of Our Lives lost yet another legend over the weekend when Wayne Northrop, who originated the role of Roman Brady passed away over the weekend. As the extended Salem family processes the news and once again mourns one of their own, a few of those near and dear to Northrop began sharing tributes and memories of the daytime legend.

Back when Alison Sweeney started as troublemaking teen Sami in 1993, Northrop was still playing dad Roman — after returning from the dead and reclaiming the identity from John! And though he departed the following year, Sweeney will never forget her time with him, nor all that he taught her. She shared a message on Instagram in remembrance for Northrop, wife Lynn Herring (General Hospital‘s Lucy), and their entire family.

“Sending much love to Lynn and the whole Northrup family today,” Sweeney wrote. “My first scenes as Sami were with Wayne. I remember him helping me understand how to pretend to break into the Brady house with a bobby-pin. He was a wonderful, kind man, a talented, generous actor and a beloved member of the Days family. I learned so much from working with Wayne and will treasure the memories with him.”

And in the comments, Kristian Alfonso, whose Hope had a crush on Northrop’s Roman back in the ’80s, reacted with heartbreak and tears. In those days, of course, before Hope grew up to join the Salem PD, Abe and Roman were Salem’s top cops. And, as James Reynolds reminded us on Instagram, they “were at the center of the Salem Strangler storyline.” In fact, that’s the storyline that brought Roman and Northrop to Salem!

“Wayne was my friend, my brother, my TV partner,” Reynolds wrote. “We shared so many laughs and conversations. I am so grateful to have walked our section of life’s highway with Wayne.”

As Wally Kurth (Justin) pointed out in the comments, Days of Our Lives has been going through a rough time, lately, having lost a string of beloved vets. “Dang James,” Kurth commented under Reynolds’ post, “another acting partner you have to say goodbye to. Wayne was one of my favorites to watch.”

And though Tracey E. Bregman’s Donna Temple Craig never crossed paths with Roman (she exited two years before he showed up), the Young & Restless actress mourned her fellow Salemite, writing on her Instagram stories, “I am so sorry to hear this. What a wonderful, special, sweet man. My heart goes out to Lynn and their family.”

Our hearts go out to all those mourning Northrop’s passing, and the extended family at Days of Our Lives who have to say goodbye to another beloved Salemite.