Actor Johnny Wactor, renowned for his role in the daytime drama "General
Hospital," tragically lost his life in Los Angeles after bravely intervening
in a crime, as confirmed by both his family and the authorities.
His mother, Scarlett Wactor, solemnly verified his passing, stating he was 37
years old. She lovingly remembered him as "a light in a dark room," expressing
the irreplaceable void his absence has left behind.
David Shaul, Wactor's agent, reflected on his client's unwavering dedication
and outstanding character in a statement to Variety. Despite the challenges of
their profession, Shaul emphasized Wactor's resilience and relentless pursuit
of excellence. With over a decade of collaboration, Shaul acknowledged that
Wactor's departure has left an enduring void in their hearts.
Los Angeles police, who did not confirm the identity of the deceased, offered
a narrative of the incident.
About 3:25 a.m. Sunday, the victim came upon three people removing a catalytic
converter from a vehicle near Pico Boulevard and Hope Street, in the southwest
corner of downtown Los Angeles, the police department said.
One of the three opened fire, striking the victim, who was pronounced dead, police said.
Scarlett Wactor said by phone from South Carolina that her son had been bartending at a rooftop venue nearby, helped with a "deep clean" after last call and walked to his car down the street with three co-workers.
Two of the co-workers broke off in a different direction to get to their vehicles, leaving her son and one co-worker, she said. They came upon his car, which had been jacked up, and he thought it was being towed because he had parked on the street, in an unfamiliar place, knowing he'd be working later than usual, she said.
He stepped in front of his co-worker and asked someone on the ground next to his vehicle whether he was being towed, at which point the person shot him, she said.
The two other people police described were in a waiting vehicle, she said.
Johnny Wactor, seen here alongside his mother Scarlett and brothers Grant and Lance at Scarlett's surprise 60th birthday celebration in January, had harbored a passion for acting since his early days in Charleston, South Carolina, his mother revealed. From his time at Rollings Middle School of the Arts to his relocation to Hollywood, he remained connected to his roots, regularly communicating with his theater instructor.
Despite the challenges of pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, Scarlett recounted moments of concern for her son's well-being, admitting to fearing for his financial stability. Yet, Johnny persisted, making his mark with appearances in notable productions such as Lifetime's "West Wives" and a significant stint on "General Hospital," where he portrayed Brando, the son of Bonnie Borroughs' character, Gladys Corbin.
His talents extended beyond television, as evidenced by roles in "Westworld" and contributions to the video game "Call of Duty: Vanguard."
Scarlett finds solace in her son's artistic legacy, believing that watching his performances serves as a connection to him in heaven, where she hopes he finds joy.
Tragically, Johnny's life was cut short in a senseless act of violence in close proximity to the Crypto Arena, where the Lakers play their home games. The incident remains unresolved, underscoring the broader societal issue of catalytic converter thefts, driven by the skyrocketing value of metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium.
Efforts to curb such crimes have been reflected in legislative actions across states, aiming to mitigate the illicit trade of stolen catalytic converters and their valuable components.
