Johnny Wactor

Johnny Wactor
Wactor in 2012
Born
John William Wactor III

(1986-08-31)August 31, 1986
Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
DiedMay 25, 2024(2024-05-25) (aged 37)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of deathGunshot wound
Alma materCollege of Charleston
OccupationActor
Years active2007–2024
Notable workGeneral 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.[1] He has two brothers, Lance and Grant.[2] 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.[3][4]

Career

Wactor moved to Los Angeles to work as an actor.[4] He made his television debut with Army Wives in 2007.[5] Wactor played Brando Corbin on the series General Hospital from 2020 to 2022.[6][7][8] He also played Johnny on the series Siberia, and had roles in the films USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage, and Supercell.[7] Wactor had a voice role in the video game Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021).[9]

Personal life

Wactor was engaged to actress and director Tessa Farrell, whom he dated from 2013, but their relationship ended in the late 2010s.[10] Wactor was rumored to be dating the woman behind his fan page Johnny Wactor World.

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.[4][8] 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.[11]

The three men subsequently fled the scene, and Wactor was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.[7][12] Wactor's funeral was held at the Summerville Baptist Church in Summerville, South Carolina, on June 16, 2024, three weeks after he was killed.[13]

On August 15, 2024, four men were arrested in connection with Wactor's death.[14] 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.[15]

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.[16]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Director(s) Notes
2010 The Grass Is Never Greener Johnny Alex Vivian Short film
Lover's Speed Johnny Candace Infuso Short film
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
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
2014 Menthol John Micah Van Hove
Ever John Josh Beck
Life, Perfected Howie Tyler Seiple Short film
2015 Flyover States Mike Alexander Malt Short film
A Most Suitable Applicant Johnny Baker Krystal White Short film
2016 The Interrogation Troy Michael B. Silver Short film
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage Connor Mario Van Peebles
2017 F***, Marry, Kill Jacob Scott Donovan Short film
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
2023 Trapper's Edge Billy Johnny Hickey, Jimmy Scanlon
Supercell Martin Herbert James Winterstern
2024 Dead Talk Tales: Volume 1 Marcus John Vizaniaris

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2007–2009 Army Wives 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"
2016 Vantastic Beyanna BamBam 3 episodes
Animal Kingdom MP #1 Episode: "Man In"
2017 Training Day 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
2019 NCIS Navy Lieutenant Ross Johnson Episode: "The Last Link"
The OA EMT 2 Episode: "Angel of Death"
2020 Westworld Gunny Thompson 2 episodes
The Passenger Horace Parker 3 episodes
2020–2022 General Hospital Brando Corbin 164 episodes
2023 Station 19 Lt. Cooper Episode: "Even Better Than the Real Thing"
Barbee Rehab Star Trek Ken 7 episodes

Video game

Year Title Role Notes
2021 Call of Duty: Vanguard Additional Voice Voice role

References

  1. ^ Sun, Michael (May 27, 2024). "Johnny Wactor: General Hospital actor shot dead in suspected robbery". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  2. ^ "Johnny Wactor, 'General Hospital' actor, fatally shot in L.A." NBC. May 27, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  3. ^ "Wactor graduates from College of Charleston". The Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. July 20, 2009. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Winton, Richard; Briscoe, Tony (May 26, 2024). "'General Hospital's' Johnny Wactor killed in catalytic converter heist in downtown L.A., police say". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  5. ^ Avila, Pamela (May 26, 2024). "Johnny Wactor, 'General Hospital' actor, shot and killed at 37: Reports". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Papadatos, Markos (October 31, 2020). "Chatting with Johnny Wactor: Brando Corbin on 'General Hospital' (Includes interview)". Digital Journal. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Tinoco, Armando (May 26, 2024). "Johnny Wactor Dies: 'General Hospital' & 'Siberia Actor' Was 37". Deadline. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Zee, Michaela (May 26, 2024). "Johnny Wactor, 'General Hospital' Actor, Shot and Killed During Suspected Theft Attempt". Variety. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  9. ^ Dick, Jeremy (May 26, 2024). "Johnny Wactor, General Hospital Actor, Killed During Robbery Attempt". CBR. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  10. ^ "Johnny Wactor's ex-fiancee Tessa Farrell pleads for information on his death". The Express Tribune. May 29, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  11. ^ Evans, Greg (May 27, 2024). "'General Hospital' Actor Johnny Wactor Was Shielding Female Co-Worker When Fatally Shot – Report". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  12. ^ Turner, Austin (May 26, 2024). "Johnny Wactor of 'General Hospital' shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles". KTLA. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  13. ^ "'General Hospital' star Johnny Wactor's funeral held in South Carolina after his fatal shooting in Los Angeles". Fox News. June 16, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  14. ^ Coleman, Ryan (August 15, 2024). "4 arrested in killing of General Hospital star Johnny Wactor". Entertainment Weekly. United States: Dotdash Meredith. ISSN 1049-0434. OCLC 21114137. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  15. ^ Winton, Richard (August 19, 2024). "Men charged with murder in Johnny Wactor's death implicated themselves in jailhouse talk, sources say". Los Angeles Times. United States. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  16. ^ "Johnny's Mile About". Johnny's Mile. Retrieved November 18, 2024.

Further reading

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