Former General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor has been confirmed dead in a foiled robbery attack. The 37-year-old actor met his untimely death while trying to enquire why his vehicle was allegedly being towed. TMZ, who first reported the death, stated the incident occurred around 3 AM on May 25, 2024, in downtown Los Angeles.
Johnny Wactor was famous for playing Brando Corbin in General Hospital. Since his death, family, friends, and co-stars have paid tribute to the young, late actor with nothing short of kind words. Here’s a closer look at Johnny Wactor’s career, life, and death.
Who Was Johnny Wactor’s Character On General Hospital?
Johnny Wactor originated the character of Brando Corbin in the ABC daytime television soap opera General Hospital. The character was created by head writers Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor and introduced in the show by executive producer Frank Valentini. Brando Corbin was introduced in a recurring role as the son of Gladys Corbin (Bonnie Burroughs). Although Wactor’s character is first mentioned by Mike Corbin (Max Gail) in the June 25, 2019 episode, his first appearance on General Hospital was on January 30, 2020.
In his debut episode, Brando Corbin was shot while trying to save Carly Corinthos (Laura Wright) from an ambush by Cyrus Renault’s (Jeff Kober) men. Johnny Wactor made recurring appearances on the show until August 24, 2020, when he was offered a contract. His character was killed after he was stabbed twice by The Hook. Although he didn’t die immediately, Brando was rushed to the hospital, where it was revealed he had bone shards in his lung. It was while at the hospital he began coughing up blood, had a seizure, and succumbed to the poison in the hook. Johnny Wactor’s last appearance in General Hospital was on September 20, 2022. He appeared in 164 episodes during his time on the show.
Johnny Wactor’s Career After General Hospital
After his exit from General Hospital, Johnny Wactor led the cast of the 2023 horror film Trapper’s Edge. Cast as Billy, Wactor played a risk-taking rock-climber who hesitantly leads a group of travelers and cameraman to find a gray witch at a mysterious cottage deep in the woods. In that same year, Johnny Wactor also starred as Martin in the action-adventure drama Supercell. On television, he guest-starred in an episode of Station 19 as Lt. Cooper and on 7 episodes of Barbee Rehab TV series. Johnny Wactor’s last acting credit was in the 2024 horror science fiction thriller Dead Talk Tales: Volume I, in which he was cast as Marcus.
Johnny Wactor’s Death
Besides his work as an actor, Johnny Wactor reportedly worked in a downtown rooftop bar in Los Angeles. According to Wactor’s mother, Scarlett Wactor, the actor was leaving work in the early hours of Saturday, May 25, 2024, when he met his attackers. While walking with a coworker, Wactor noticed three men “working” on his vehicle. Thinking they wanted to tow away the vehicle, the actor approached them. One of the men, who was allegedly trying to steal the vehicle’s catalytic converter, shot at the actor.
The three men fled the scene in a vehicle. Paramedics arrived at the scene shortly after to rush Wactor to the hospital. Unfortunately, the actor was pronounced dead at the hospital. Johnny Wactor is survived by his mother, Scarlett Wactor, and two brothers, Lance and Grant Wactor. As of Monday, May 27, 2024, there has been no arrest or information about the killer and his accomplices. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Wactor’s mother commented on her son’s death, stating, “What I’d like for everybody to know is that they took a great human being. It is leaving a very large hole in me and his brother’s lives. We just buried my husband, their dad, four years ago. And he was very loved by his friends, his families. He lived life to the fullest, he chased his dreams, a very optimistic, positive person.”
She concluded, “I hope they catch them, and I hope there’s justice for Johnny. That’s all I can hope and pray for. I will see him again. But down here on earth, it’s going to be a very, very long road without him for me and his brothers.” Also, reacting to his death, General Hospital issued a statement and a tribute to the actor. It reads, “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. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones during this difficult time. You can also read about The Guardian actor Dabney Coleman, who died at 92.
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