Wayne Northrop’s Wife Lynn Herring Had One of the Craziest Storylines on ‘Days of Our Lives’

Soap operas have often presented the complex reality of society and human behavior, and Days of Our Lives is a perfect example of that. For years, the show has been loved by the audience for its mix of fictional and real-life situations and unexpected twists and storylines.

One role that enjoyed such an elaborate storyline is Lisanne Gardner, played by Lynn Herring. Her story consists of secrets, betrayal, and shocking revelations. Her storyline, along with that of her actual husband, Wayne Northrop, gives glimpses into the world of daytime television drama.

Lynn Herring’s Unforgettable Role in Days of Our Lives

Lisanne Gardner, played by Lynn Herring, came to Salem in 1992 and joined the corporate legal business. She began working for Lawrence Alamain at Alamain Industries, only to be involved in a major storyline that would result in her death. Herring presented Gardner as a smart, determined corporate lawyer who stumbled upon one family secret that would alter everything.

The soap opera focused on the drama of Lawrence Alamain and Carly Manning, their secret affair, and the truth about their son Nicky. Gardner worked for the family and found it for herself that Vivian Alamain stole Nicky as a baby and raised him without letting him know his true parentage.

But her discovery exposed her to a very risky decision because she started to blackmail Vivian with this information. Later, Vivian and Gardner get involved in a heated argument, which would become her last scene. Nicky, thinking that Lisanne was abusing his aunt, intervened in their fight.

During their fight, Gardner died after hitting her head on a stone cat while falling. Vivian and her servant Ivan then tried to make the death seem like a car crash. This storyline was considered one of the soap opera’s most daring dramatic narratives.

Herring’s character also became an important plot device that was used to change the later events of the characters in Salem. Moreover, the aftermath of Gardner’s death came with its own drama. After doubting the incidents, Bo Brady started investigating the Alamains.

He later arrested Lawrence while he was trying to hide evidence of Gardner’s death. Later, it was revealed that Gardner was killed by Nicky himself, and Lawrence’s charges were dropped.

Wayne Northrop’s Final Chapter

Wayne Northrop was a veteran of daytime dramas. Northrop’s roles include Roman Brady in Days of Our Lives, and roles in Dynasty and Port Charles. One of the best-known TV actors, his role of Roman Brady was a committed police officer, which became quite crucial to the plot of the show.

Northrop debuted the character Brady in 1981 and left it in 1984, to rejoin in 1991. His character was set up by the evil Stefano DiMera, and after getting shot by him, Brady was thought to have died after falling off a cliff. As is typical in many soap operas, he came back and found that another man was living his identity, causing a lot of drama.

He left the show in 1994 after his character got to know that his wife Marlena was having an affair with John Black. He was written off reasoning that he died during a mission. Later, Northtop again appeared on the show as a completely new character named  Dr. Alex North in 2005.

Northrop is survived by his wife of 43 years, his two sons Hank and Grady, and his stepmother Janet Northrop. After his unfortunate demise, his final days were recently shared by his wife Lynn Herring. According to Variety, she said,

Wayne was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s six years ago. He took his last breath in the arms of his family.

His death came on November 29, 2024, at Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital, being surrounded by his family. He was 77 years old. Many generations grew up with his characters, and he will be remembered with admiration as an actor who contributed to soap operas his whole career.

Days of Our Lives is available to stream on Peacock.