Many tributes have poured in for Johnny Wactor, the late General Hospital star, from his family and colleagues.
Wactor, 37, was fatally shot in Los Angeles on Saturday while protecting a coworker from thieves attempting to steal his catalytic converter. At around 3:25 am, after his shift at a rooftop bar, Wactor was walking his coworker to her car when the tragic incident occurred.
His brother, Grant, told Daily Mail, “We’re Southern, and we’d never let a woman walk to her car alone.” He explained that Wactor thought his car was being towed, seeing three masked men nearby. But when one of the men pointed a gun at him, Wactor moved to protect his coworker from the gunfire.
“I think my brother worked harder than anyone I’ve ever known,” Grant said, calling him a great son and brother. The LAPD is currently searching for the three suspects.
Tributes quickly followed from those who knew him, especially from his General Hospital castmates. William deVry, a fellow actor, called it a “senseless” loss on X (formerly Twitter), adding, “There are no words to describe how pointless this loss is. Johnny was a great person. Rest in peace, Johnny Wactor.”
Parry Shen, who played Brad Cooper on General Hospital, remembered him as having a “beautiful soul” and was “always ready for anything.” He also shared fond memories of their time together, expressing how much they had been cheated of more years with him.
Sofia Mattsson, who portrayed Wactor’s wife on the show, shared on Instagram: “Johnny was the best ever—honest, humble, hardworking, with a big heart that brought happiness to everyone.” She said he made everyone feel loved and seen and that she was a better person for knowing him.
The General Hospital cast also expressed their grief, saying, “The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Johnny Wactor’s untimely passing. He was truly unique, and it was a pleasure to work with him every day. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones during this difficult time.”
Grant shared the family’s devastation, noting that their mother, although tough, was “broken to the bone.” He described Wactor as someone who lived life on his own terms until his tragic end. Their mother said in a statement, “He was a kind, loving son and brother, and he lived life to the fullest. Our hearts and lives have a very big hole in them.”
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Division Homicide is investigating the case.
