TRIBUTES have poured in from family members and fellow actors for the late General Hospital star Johnny Wactor.
The 37-year-old was fatally shot in Los Angeles on Saturday morning as thieves attempted to steal his catalytic converter.
Wactor was pronounced dead just after 3:25 am after he had walked his co-worker to her vehicle following a shift at a rooftop bar.
Upon going to his own vehicle, Wactor saw three men around his car, and he was then shot by a masked man, his mother Scarlett told ABC News affiliate KABC.
After Scarlett broke the news of her son’s death, calling him a “beautiful soul,” tributes flooded in for the actor.
‘SENSELESS’
In one post, fellow General Hospital star William deVry called it a “senseless” death.
“Honestly, words can’t begin 2 express the sadness with which 2 convey my feelings towards losing another #GH Alum,” he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“The senselessness of this lose is beyond description (sic).
“Johnny was such a good guy. Really horrible. RIP #JohnnyWactor & much love & comfort to those who loved him.”
Meanwhile, Parry Shen, who played Brad Cooper in the daytime soap opera, called his late friend who played Brando Corbin in the show, a “beautiful soul.”
“Johnny Wactor was a beautiful, beautiful soul. So talented,” Shen wrote.
“As you can see from the promo clip, always up for anything. Funny as all heck.
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“Fit as hell but also loved ice cream and ate all the junk I did as well.
“We all were cheated of many years with him.”
HEARTBROKEN
Meanwhile, Sofia Mattsson, who played Wactor’s wife in the drama series said that her “heart is so utterly broken,” in a post on Instagram.
“Johnny was the absolute best. So genuine. So caring. Incredibly hard-working and humble.
“With a huge heart that spread so much kindness and joy. He always made sure everyone around him felt seen, heard and loved.”
“I admire the man he was so much and I’m a better person for having known him,” she continued.
Johnny Wactor was a beautiful, beautiful soul…We all were cheated of many years with him.
Parry Shen
“We shared so many special moments, both on and off screen, and I will forever cherish them deeply in my heart.
“You will be so incredibly missed Johnny… I’m sure you’re already busy taking care of everyone up there.”
Encapsulating the feeling of loss by the cast and crew of General Hospital, the show spoke out about Wactor’s “untimely passing.”
“The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Johnny Wactor’s untimely passing,” the post read.
“He was truly one of a kind and a pleasure to work with each and every day.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones during this difficult time.”
Wactor’s death comes just months after General Hospital star Robyn Bernard was found dead in San Jacinto, California on March 12, aged 64.
Wactor’s Career
The actor from Charleston, South Carolina starred in General Hospital between 2020 and 2022.
His first appearance on the show was on January 30, 2020, as Brando Corbin but he was written out two years later after being stabbed by an unknown killer.
However, before playing Corbin, Wactor started his acting career in 2007 by starring in Army Wives.
He also featured in NCIS, Criminal Minds, Station 19, The OA, and West World.
In 2016, he landed a movie role in USS Indianapolis: Men Of Courage, starring Nicolas Cage.
Wactor is set to feature in a new movie by Luca Perito called American Sognare which is currently in post-production, according to IMDb.
‘BROKEN’ FAMILY
Meanwhile, Wactor’s younger brother Grant has spoken out about the devastation felt by the family.
“My mother is tough as nails, but she’s broken down to the bone,” he told The LA Times.
“We have to get him back to Charleston [S.C.]. It’s just a shame. It seems like it was just the wrong place, wrong time.”
Grant added that his older brother “lived life his way” and “did exactly what he wanted, even to his last day.”
“He was a kind loving son and brother, he lived life to the fullest,” Wactor’s mother said in a statement.
“He set goals and went after them. There is a very large hole in our hearts and lives.”
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Division Homicide is investigating the case.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to the LAPD for comment.
