LOS ANGELES – Tragedy struck early Sunday morning when actor Johnny Wactor, best known for his role on “General Hospital,” was fatally shot after interrupting a crime in Los Angeles. He was 37.
Wactor’s mother, Scarlett Wactor, confirmed the heartbreaking news. “He was a light in a dark room,” she said, expressing the profound loss felt by his family. “There is a huge hole in all of us, and there is no fixing that.”
David Shaul, Wactor’s agent, spoke to Variety about the actor’s dedication and character. “In the highs and lows of a challenging profession, he always kept his chin up and kept striving for the best he could be,” Shaul said. “After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever.”
The Los Angeles Police Department provided details of the incident but did not confirm Wactor’s identity. According to their report, around 3:25 a.m., Wactor encountered three individuals attempting to steal a catalytic converter from a vehicle near Pico Boulevard and Hope Street. One of the suspects opened fire, resulting in Wactor’s death at the scene.
Scarlett Wactor, speaking from South Carolina, recounted the events leading up to the shooting. Her son had been bartending at a nearby rooftop venue and, after helping with a “deep clean” post-closing, was walking to his car with three co-workers. Two of the co-workers parted ways, leaving Wactor and another colleague. Upon finding his car jacked up, Wactor assumed it was being towed. As he approached to inquire, he was shot by one of the suspects, while two accomplices waited in a vehicle.
Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Wactor had dreamed of acting since elementary school. He attended Rollings Middle School of the Arts before moving to Hollywood, where he remained connected with his theater instructor. Throughout his career, Wactor continued honing his craft by attending acting classes and enjoyed climbing in his spare time.
Scarlett Wactor shared that her son faced many challenges in the industry. “At one point, I thought he was almost going to starve to death out there,” she said. Despite the hardships, Wactor’s perseverance led him to make his television debut on Lifetime’s “West Wives” and later to a significant role on “General Hospital,” where he appeared in 164 episodes as Brando Corbin. His credits also include appearances on “Westworld” and voice work for the video game “Call of Duty: Vanguard.”
Scarlett Wactor finds some solace in her son’s work. “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.
As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. The crime occurred near Crypto Arena, a well-known venue in downtown Los Angeles. Catalytic converter thefts have surged due to the high value of the metals they contain—platinum, palladium, and rhodium—whose prices soared during the pandemic. In response, various states have enacted legislation to curb the sale of stolen catalytic converters and their precious metals.
The investigation continues as the community mourns the loss of a talented actor and beloved individual.
