Johnny Wactor, an actor General Hospitalwas shot and killed Saturday morning during a suspected attempted catalytic converter theft in downtown Los Angeles, his family said ABC7. He was 37.
The Los Angeles Police Department said officers responded to the area of Pico Boulevard and Hope Street around 3:25 a.m. Saturday. At the scene they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound ABC7 later identified as Wactor.
According to authorities, Wactor was shot after confronting three men who were allegedly trying to steal the catalytic converter from a vehicle. He was later transported to a local hospital, where he died.
The suspects fled in a car and have not yet been arrested, police said. The investigation is ongoing.
Wactor's representative, Sarabeth Schedeen, shared this in a statement The Hollywood Reporter, “Johnny Wactor was an extraordinary actor and friend. The light of the world is dim today. Among his many enviable gifts were generosity, dedication, discipline, empathy and unparalleled perseverance.”
“Plus, he was an athlete,” she continued. “He pushed himself hard physically, just as he did personally and professionally. In a roller coaster industry and our many years together, he experienced life's ups and downs with optimism and grace. Johnny stood for moral greatness in all areas. He is a great loss to everyone who worked with him and knew him.”
Wactor played Brando Corbin General Hospital from 2020 to 2022. He appeared in 164 episodes of the long-running ABC soap opera.
Born on August 31, 1986 in Charleston, South Carolina, Wactor made his television debut in the drama series Army women in 2007. Until 2009, he played various guest roles for a handful of episodes.
In 2013, he portrayed Johnny in the supernatural drama Siberiawhich ran for one season.
Among Wactor's dozens of other TV acting credits were Westworld, Hollywood girl, Suitable age, The passenger, Barbie Rehab, The OA, Station 19, Officer X, Vantastic, Animal Kingdom, Training day, Criminal minds, Struggling servers And NCIS.
Over the years, the actor has also appeared in several TV movies and short films including Disillusioned, Sisters of the Groom, Flyover States, The Relic, The Grass Is Never Greener, The Con-Artist, We won't forget it, Golden Box, The interrogation, A most suitable applicant And Everything for you, Abby.