Johnny Wactor
{{Short description|American actor (1986–2024)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Johnny Wactor
| image = Johnny Wactor.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Wactor in 2012
| birth_name = John William Wactor III
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1986|8|31}}
| birth_place = Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|5|25|1986|8|31}}
| death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| death_cause = Gunshot wound
| nationality =
| other_names =
| alma_mater = College of Charleston
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 2007–2024
| known_for =
| notable_works = General Hospital
Siberia
}}
John William Wactor III (August 31, 1986 – May 25, 2024) was an American actor known for playing Brando Corbin on the series General Hospital and Johnny on the NBC series Siberia. He also had roles in the series Army Wives and the films USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage and Supercell. On May 25, 2024, Wactor was killed when three men tried to steal his automobile's catalytic converter in downtown Los Angeles. He was 37 years old.
Early life
John William Wactor III was born on August 31, 1986, in Charleston, South Carolina.{{Cite news |last=Sun |first=Michael |date=May 27, 2024 |title=Johnny Wactor: General Hospital actor shot dead in suspected robbery |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/article/2024/may/27/johnny-wactor-general-hospital-star-shot-dead-los-angeles-robbery |access-date=May 27, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=May 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531030425/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/article/2024/may/27/johnny-wactor-general-hospital-star-shot-dead-los-angeles-robbery |url-status=live }} He has two brothers, Lance and Grant.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/tv/johnny-wactor-general-hospital-actor-fatally-shot-l-rcna154138|title=Johnny Wactor, 'General Hospital' actor, fatally shot in L.A.|publisher=NBC|date=2024-05-27|access-date=2024-06-04}} He grew up in Summerville, South Carolina, where he graduated from Summerville High School in 2004. Wactor then graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish in May 2009.{{Cite news|author=|date=July 20, 2009|title=Wactor graduates from College of Charleston|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/journal-scene/education/wactor-graduates-from-college-of-charleston/article_11de5098-4123-5e71-ad86-63dbf4f194be.html|work=The Post and Courier|location=Charleston, South Carolina|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527114838/https://www.postandcourier.com/journal-scene/education/wactor-graduates-from-college-of-charleston/article_11de5098-4123-5e71-ad86-63dbf4f194be.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last1=Winton|first1=Richard|last2=Briscoe|first2=Tony|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-05-26/general-hospital-johnny-wactor-killed-catalytic-converter-thief-police|title='General Hospital's' Johnny Wactor killed in catalytic converter heist in downtown L.A., police say|website=Los Angeles Times|date=May 26, 2024|access-date=May 26, 2024|archive-date=May 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526231248/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-05-26/general-hospital-johnny-wactor-killed-catalytic-converter-thief-police|url-status=live}}
Career
Wactor moved to Los Angeles to work as an actor. He made his television debut with Army Wives in 2007.{{Cite web |last=Avila |first=Pamela |date=May 26, 2024 |title=Johnny Wactor, 'General Hospital' actor, shot and killed at 37: Reports |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/05/26/general-hospital-johnny-wactor-shot-killed-suspected-theft/73865978007/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=USA Today |language=en-US |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527115149/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/05/26/general-hospital-johnny-wactor-shot-killed-suspected-theft/73865978007/ |url-status=live}} Wactor played Brando Corbin on the series General Hospital from 2020 to 2022.{{Cite web |last=Papadatos |first=Markos |date=October 31, 2020 |title=Chatting with Johnny Wactor: Brando Corbin on 'General Hospital' (Includes interview) |url=https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/chatting-with-johnny-wactor-brando-corbin-on-general-hospital/article/580390 |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=Digital Journal |language=en-US |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527102429/https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/chatting-with-johnny-wactor-brando-corbin-on-general-hospital/article/580390 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|last=Tinoco|first=Armando|url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/johnny-wactor-dead-general-hospital-siberia-actor-1235941583/|title=Johnny Wactor Dies: 'General Hospital' & 'Siberia Actor' Was 37|website=Deadline|date=May 26, 2024|access-date=May 26, 2024|archive-date=May 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526224455/https://deadline.com/2024/05/johnny-wactor-dead-general-hospital-siberia-actor-1235941583/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Zee|first=Michaela|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/johnny-wactor-dead-general-hospital-1236016889/|title=Johnny Wactor, 'General Hospital' Actor, Shot and Killed During Suspected Theft Attempt|website=Variety|date=May 26, 2024|access-date=May 26, 2024|archive-date=May 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526225342/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/johnny-wactor-dead-general-hospital-1236016889/|url-status=live}} He also played Johnny on the series Siberia, and had roles in the films USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage, and Supercell. Wactor had a voice role in the video game Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021).{{Cite web |last=Dick |first=Jeremy |date=May 26, 2024 |title=Johnny Wactor, General Hospital Actor, Killed During Robbery Attempt |url=https://www.cbr.com/johnny-wactor-dead/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=CBR |language=|archive-date=May 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526225313/https://www.cbr.com/johnny-wactor-dead/ |url-status=live}}
Personal life
Wactor was engaged to actress and director Tessa Farrell, whom he dated from 2010, but their relationship ended in late 2013.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=May 29, 2024 |title=Johnny Wactor's ex-fiancee Tessa Farrell pleads for information on his death |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2468809/johnny-wactors-ex-fiancee-tessa-farrell-pleads-for-information-on-his-death |access-date=June 1, 2024 |website=The Express Tribune |language=}}
Murder
After finishing a bartending shift, Wactor was killed on May 25, 2024. He was at the corner of Pico Boulevard and Hope Street in downtown Los Angeles, when he encountered three men who were trying to steal a catalytic converter from his Toyota Prius. Wactor was walking a co-worker to her car when he saw the men, and reportedly initially believed they were towing his car. According to his brother, once Wactor realized what was happening, he shielded his co-worker with his body, and was shot by one of the men attempting to steal the converter.{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/johnny-wactor-general-hospital-1235941795/ |title='General Hospital' Actor Johnny Wactor Was Shielding Female Co-Worker When Fatally Shot – Report |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=May 27, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=May 29, 2024 |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527160840/https://deadline.com/2024/05/johnny-wactor-general-hospital-1235941795/ |url-status=live}}
The three men subsequently fled the scene, and Wactor was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.{{Cite web|last=Turner|first=Austin|url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/johnny-wactor-of-general-hospital-shot-and-killed-in-downtown-los-angeles-report/|title=Johnny Wactor of 'General Hospital' shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles|website=KTLA|date=May 26, 2024|access-date=May 26, 2024|archive-date=May 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526223636/https://ktla.com/news/local-news/johnny-wactor-of-general-hospital-shot-and-killed-in-downtown-los-angeles-report/|url-status=live}} Wactor's funeral was held at the Summerville Baptist Church in Summerville, South Carolina, on June 16, 2024, three weeks after he was killed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/general-hospital-star-johnny-wactors-funeral-held-south-carolina-after-his-fatal-shooting-los-angeles|title='General Hospital' star Johnny Wactor's funeral held in South Carolina after his fatal shooting in Los Angeles|publisher=Fox News|date=June 16, 2024|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
On August 15, 2024, four men were arrested in connection with Wactor's death.{{cite magazine |last1=Coleman |first1=Ryan |title=4 arrested in killing of General Hospital star Johnny Wactor |url=https://ew.com/johnny-wactor-killing-arrests-8696211 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Dotdash Meredith |access-date=August 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240816003834/https://ew.com/johnny-wactor-killing-arrests-8696211 |archive-date=August 16, 2024 |location=United States |issn=1049-0434 |oclc=21114137 |language=en |date=August 15, 2024 |url-status=live}} Four days later, prosecutors charged two of the men, associated with a South Los Angeles street gang, with murder; the two other men were charged on lesser charges.{{cite news |last1=Winton |first1=Richard |title=Men charged with murder in Johnny Wactor's death implicated themselves in jailhouse talk, sources say |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-08-19/murder-charges-johnny-wactor-death |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819235420/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-08-19/murder-charges-johnny-wactor-death |archive-date=August 19, 2024 |location=United States}}
Johnny's Mile Foundation
Johnny's Mile Foundation was established by the family and friends of Johnny Wactor to honor his legacy and continue his passion for helping others. The foundation aims to support families facing tragedy and provide resources for those in need. Johnny's Mile has applied for 501(c)(3) status as a public charity non-profit organization, making contributions tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
The foundation organizes various events, including the annual Johnny's Mile Golf Classic, to raise funds and awareness. These events not only celebrate Johnny's life, but also bring the community together in support of a common cause. Through its efforts, Johnny's Mile Foundation strives to make a positive impact and keep Johnny's spirit alive.{{Cite web |title=Johnny's Mile About |url=https://www.johnnysmile.org/about |access-date=November 18, 2024 |website=Johnny's Mile}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !Title !Role !Director(s) !class="unsortable" | Notes |
| rowspan="2"|2010
| The Grass Is Never Greener | Johnny | Alex Vivian | Short film |
| Lover's Speed
| Johnny | Candace Infuso | Short film |
| rowspan="4"|2011
| GoldenBox | Tucker | Matt MacDonald | Short film |
| Snap Judgment
| Orderly | Trevor Erickson | |
| Roundhay Hall
| Ethan | Rob Wood | Short film |
| Synchronicity
| Kevin | Monique Thomas | Short film |
| rowspan="3"|2012
| The Con-Artist | Journalist | Luis F. Pazos | Short film |
| The Proposal
| Bobby | Jason Federici | Short film |
| Mr. and Mrs. Kill
| Eloped Husband | Doc Vidal, Ryan Kibby | Short film: Voice role |
| rowspan="3"|2014
| Menthol | John | Micah Van Hove | |
| Ever
| John | Josh Beck | |
| Life, Perfected
| Howie | Tyler Seiple | Short film |
| rowspan="2"|2015
| Flyover States | Mike | Alexander Malt | Short film |
| A Most Suitable Applicant
| Johnny Baker | Krystal White | Short film |
| rowspan="2"|2016
| The Interrogation | Troy | Short film |
| USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage
| Connor | |
| 2017
| F***, Marry, Kill | Jacob | Scott Donovan | Short film |
| rowspan="2"|2018
| Cold Soldiers | Orderly | Nick Smith | |
| Boy Crazy
| Troy | Tessa Farrell | Short film |
| 2019
| Anything for You, Abby | Tom | Jamin Bricker | Short film |
| 2020
| The Relic | Marcus | J.M. Logan | Short film |
| 2022
| Broken Riders | Moxin | Robert Benson | Short film |
| rowspan="2"|2023
| Trapper's Edge | Billy | Johnny Hickey, Jimmy Scanlon | |
| Supercell
| Martin | Herbert James Winterstern | |
| 2024
| Dead Talk Tales: Volume 1 | Marcus | John Vizaniaris | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !Title !Role ! class="unsortable" |Notes |
| 2007–2009
| Airman Byers, PFC Kantor, Soldier | 3 episodes |
| 2010–2016
| Hollywood Girl | Shane Hudson | 8 episodes |
| 2013
| Siberia | Johnny | 11 episodes |
| 2015
| Agent X | John's Father | Episode: "Truth, Lies and Consequences" |
| rowspan="2"|2016
| Vantastic | Beyanna BamBam | 3 episodes |
| Animal Kingdom
| MP #1 | Episode: "Man In" |
| rowspan="4"|2017
| Greg | Episode: "Code of Honor" |
| Criminal Minds
| Trey Gordon | Episode: "In the Dark" |
| Sisters of the Groom
| Tim | Television film |
| Struggling Servers
| Actor | Episode: "The Move" |
| 2017–2018
| Age Appropriate | Jake | 3 episodes |
| 2018
| Disillusioned | Jared | Television film |
| rowspan="2"|2019
| NCIS | Navy Lieutenant Ross Johnson | Episode: "The Last Link" |
| The OA
| EMT 2 | Episode: "Angel of Death" |
| rowspan="2"|2020
| Gunny Thompson | 2 episodes |
| The Passenger
| Horace Parker | 3 episodes |
| 2020–2022
| 164 episodes |
| rowspan="2"|2023
| Lt. Cooper | Episode: "Even Better Than the Real Thing" |
| Barbee Rehab
| Star Trek Ken | 7 episodes |
=Video game=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
!Title !Role !Notes |
|---|
| 2021
| Additional Voice | Voice role |
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- {{Cite news |last=Arger |first=Alex |date=May 28, 2024 |title=Fundraiser for slain 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor takes off as family looks for answers |url=https://www.scrippsnews.com/us-news/crime/fundraiser-for-slain-general-hospital-actor-johnny-wactor-takes-off-as-family-looks-for-answers |publisher=Scripps News}}
- {{Cite news |last=Asperin |first=Alexa Mae |date=May 28, 2024 |title=New details released in murder of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor |url=https://www.foxla.com/news/general-hospital-actor-killed-catalytic-converter-new-details |publisher=Fox 11 Los Angeles}}
- {{Cite news |last1=Segarra |first1=Edward |last2=Avila |first2=Pamela |date=May 29, 2024 |title='General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's cause of death revealed |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/05/29/johnny-wactor-cause-of-death-revealed-general-hospital/73896963007/ |access-date= |work=USA Today}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|3619000}}
- {{Rotten Tomatoes person|id=johnny_wactor}}
- [https://www.johnnysmile.org/ Johnny's Mile]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wactor, Johnny}}
Category:Deaths by firearm in California
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male soap opera actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American male voice actors
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:College of Charleston alumni
Category:Male actors from Charleston, South Carolina
Category:Deaths by person in Los Angeles