The cast of “General Hospital” lost one of their own.
Johnny Wactor was shot and killed in Los Angeles Saturday by a trio of armed robbers who were trying to steal a catalytic converter from his car.
The actor, who was 37, shielded his female co-worker from the thieves when he was brutally gunned down.
Wactor played Brando Corbin in 164 episodes of “General Hospital” between 2020 and 2022 before his character was written off the show.
Following the news of his death, many of his former co-stars released statements on social media to mourn the tragic loss.
Kirsten Storms, who has played Maxie Jones since 2005, shared a heartbreaking tribute to Wactor on Instagram.
“I’m in a state of disbelief and complete sadness. I don’t typically do posts like this, but Johnny was such a special person and it feels important (for me) to put these words out there,” Storms wrote. “To @johnnywactor ‘s mother and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine what you must be feeling right now. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Johnny was one of those rare ‘real individuals’ that you almost never come across.”
She continued: “He genuinely cared about people and their journeys in life. During his time on GH I witnessed him work hard and truly have respect for every single person in our building. I just cannot believe that his life was stolen from him the way it was. My heart hurts.”
Sofia Mattson, who plays Sasha Gilmore, the widow of Wactor’s former character, also reacted to the tragedy on Instagram.
“Johnny was the absolute best,” Mattson wrote. “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.”
Bonnie Burroughs, who portrays Gladys Corbin, said she was “heartbroken” and “sickened” over Wactor’s “terrible” death.
Another tribute came from Ashton Arbab, Wactor’s fictional son on the show.
“Absolutely heartbroken while typing this,” Arbab wrote on Instagram. “Johnny Wactor was not only my TV dad for more than 25 episodes on General Hospital but he was a great human, a kind soul, an inspiration on and off set and a one of a kind actor. I am forever grateful for the time I got to spend and work with him.”
Lydia Look, who plays Selina Wu, posted on Instagram after Wactor’s death and remembered the fun times they spent together on the show.
“I learnt what a magnificent human you were in our long car rides between fan events,” Look said. “I will cherish our chats. Thank you.”
Nancy Lee Grahn, who plays Alexis Davis, honored Wactor on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Just tragic, enraging & heartbreaking. What a lovely man Johnny was,” Grahn wrote.
The ABC soap opera series also honored Wactor on X, writing, “The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Johnny Wactor’s untimely passing. He was truly one of a kind and a pleasure to work with each and every day.”
At around 3:25 a.m. Saturday, Wactor was walking his female co-worker from his job at a rooftop bar to her car when he saw the robbers attempting to steal a pricey part from his own vehicle. According to his brother Grant, Wactor protected his co-worker when the men opened fire at him.
“We’re Southern, born and raised, and we would never let a female walk to their car by herself,” Grant told the Daily Mail. “He came across them and he thought his truck was being towed. So he said something to the guys, like, ‘Hey, are you towing?’ And then once he turned around, he saw what was happening and he put his co-worker behind him. And that’s when they shot him.”
Johnny was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
“There is a huge hole in all of us, and there is no fixing that,” the actor’s mom, Scarlett Wactor, told NBC News.
No suspects have been arrested as of Tuesday morning.
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