Johnny Wactor, beloved actor from ‘General Hospital,’ was tragically killed when he interrupted a crime in Los Angeles.
Actor Johnny Wactor, known for his role on the daytime drama “General Hospital,” was tragically shot and killed in Los Angeles while interrupting a crime, as confirmed by his family and police.
Wactor’s mother, Scarlett Wactor, confirmed his death. He was 37 years old.
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Describing her son as “a light in a dark room,” Scarlett Wactor expressed her deep sorrow: “There is a huge hole in all of us, and there is no fixing that.”
Wactor’s manager, Marco Cuadros, called the incident a “senseless tragedy,” noting, “Johnny Wactor was such a kind soul, a talented actor and an inspiration to those around him. His professionalism, enthusiasm, and love for his craft were infectious and made him a joy to work with. He pursued his dreams and achieved them while remaining a caring and good human being.”
His agent, David Shaul, remarked on Wactor’s dedication and exemplary character, stating, “In the highs and lows of a challenging profession, he always kept his chin up and kept striving to be the best he could be. After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever.”
The Los Angeles police, who did not confirm the victim’s identity, provided details of the incident. Around 3:25 a.m. on Sunday, Wactor encountered three individuals removing a catalytic converter from a vehicle near Pico Boulevard and Hope Street in downtown Los Angeles. One of the individuals opened fire, fatally wounding Wactor.
Scarlett Wactor recounted that her son had been bartending at a nearby rooftop venue and was walking to his car with co-workers after closing up. As he approached his car, which he thought was being towed, he confronted a person by the vehicle, who then shot him. The two accomplices were in a waiting vehicle.
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A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Johnny Wactor had aspired to act since elementary school. He attended Rollings Middle School of the Arts in South Carolina before moving to Hollywood, where he remained dedicated to his craft through acting classes. He also enjoyed climbing in his free time.
Despite a challenging start, Wactor made his television debut on Lifetime’s “West Wives” and appeared in 164 episodes of “General Hospital” as Brando, the son of Bonnie Burroughs’ character, Gladys Corbin. His other credits include appearances on “Westworld” and a voice role in the video game “Call of Duty: Vanguard.”
Scarlett Wactor hopes that watching her son’s work might help her cope with her loss. “I think that when I see Johnny on the videos and the recordings, I can only hope that he’s doing that in heaven and enjoying it,” she said.
The crime took place near Crypto Arena, home to the Lakers. Catalytic converter thefts, driven by the valuable metals they contain, have surged in recent years, peaking in 2022. Legislative efforts across various states have aimed to curb these thefts by regulating the sale of stolen parts and metals.