Johnny Wactor: General Hospital Actor’s Official Cause of Death Determined
Johnny Wactor, an actor best known for appearing in General Hospital, died early Saturday morning. He was 37.
Wactor’s mother confirmed the news of his death to TMZ, saying he was shot and killed in Los Angeles during an alleged attempted robbery near Wactor’s car. (TVLine has reached out to Wactor’s representatives for comment.)
Tuesday update: Based on witness statements obtained by the LAPD’s Homicide Bureau, Wactor had ended his shift as a bartender at a local bar and walked to his vehicle. When Wactor arrived at his vehicle, he was confronted by three individuals who had Wactor’s vehicle raised up with a floor jack and were in the process of stealing the catalytic converter. Without provocation, the victim was shot by one of the individuals. The three suspects involved were wearing all dark clothing and driving a dark-colored sedan.
Around 3:25 am Saturday, LAPD officers responded to a radio call of an Assault with a Deadly Weapon-Shooting. Upon their arrival, they found Wactor suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Officers began to render aid and Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the scene, but Wactor was pronounced dead after being brought to a local hospital.
Wednesday update: Per People, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner has determined that Wactor died from a gunshot wound to the chest, and his death is considered a homicide.
Wactor made his daytime debut in 2020, portraying Brando Corbin on ABC’s General Hospital. Wactor’s character came to Port Charles and turned out to be the son of Bonnie Burroughs’ Gladys, who was previously thought to be dead. He ultimately married Sasha (Sofia Mattsson), but was later killed by The Hook, Heather Webber (Alley Mills).
“The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Johnny Wactor’s untimely passing,” reads a post on General Hospital‘s official Instagram page. “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.”
Mattsson offered her own Instagram tribute to her late on-screen husband: “My heart is so utterly broken… 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. 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.”
Wactor earned his first acting credit in 2007 for appearing in Lifetime’s Army Wives. He later starred as Johnny in NBC’s Siberia, a supernatural drama filmed like a reality competition series. Throughout his career, he appeared in several other TV series including Agent X, Vantastic, Hollywood Girl, Training Day, Criminal Minds, NCIS, Station 19 and more.
On the film side, Wactor played Connor in USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage, the 2016 World War II drama starring Nicolas Cage and Tom Sizemore. He also appeared in Sisters of the Groom, Disillusioned, Cold Soldiers and more. He most recently starred as Marcus in 2024’s Dead Talk Tales: Volume I.
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