Johnny Wactor, ‘General Hospital’ Actor, Shot and Killed in L.A. During Suspected Theft Attempt (original) (raw)

Johnny Wactor, an actor on General Hospital, was shot and killed during a suspected catalytic converter theft attempt in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday morning, his family told ABC7. He was 37.

The Los Angeles Police Department said officers responded to the area of Pico Boulevard and Hope Street around 3:25 a.m. Saturday. At the scene, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound, whom ABC7 later identified as Wactor.

According to authorities, Wactor was shot after confronting three men who were allegedly attempting to steal the catalytic converter from a vehicle. He was later transported to a local hospital, where he died.

The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle and have not been arrested, police said. The investigation is ongoing.

Wactor’s rep, Sarabeth Schedeen, shared in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, “Johnny Wactor was an extraordinary actor and friend. The world’s light has dimmed today. Among his many enviable gifts were generosity, dedication, discipline, empathy and a perseverance beyond compare.”

“Additionally he was an athlete’s athlete,” she continued. “Pushing himself hard physically as he did personally and professionally. In a roller coaster industry and our many years together he rode life’s ups and downs with optimism and grace. Johnny stood for moral greatness in all areas. He is a profound loss to all who worked with him and knew him.”

Wactor played Brando Corbin on General Hospital from 2020 to 2022. He appeared in 164 episodes of the long-running ABC soap opera.

Born Aug. 31, 1986, in Charleston, South Carolina, Wactor made his television debut on the drama series Army Wives in 2007. He played different guest roles throughout a handful of episodes until 2009.

Then in 2013, he portrayed Johnny on the supernatural drama Siberia, which ran for one season.

Among Wactor’s dozens of other TV acting credits were Westworld, Hollywood Girl, Age Appropriate, The Passenger, Barbee Rehab, The OA, Station 19, Agent X, Vantastic, Animal Kingdom, Training Day, Criminal Minds, Struggling Servers and NCIS.

Throughout the years, the actor has also appeared in several TV movies and short movies, including Disillusioned, Sisters of the Groom, Flyover States, The Relic, The Grass Is Never Greener, The Con-Artist, We Won’t Forget, GoldenBox, The Interrogation, A Most Suitable Applicant and Anything for You, Abby.