General Hospital Actor Johnny Wactor Dead at 37: ‘A Spectacular Human Being’

‘He would literally give you the shirt off his back,’ said Wactor’s agent, David Shaul, who confirmed his death to PEOPLE.

Johnny Wactor, best known for his role as Brando Corbin on ‘General Hospital’, has tragically passed away at the age of 37.

Wactor’s agent, David Shaul, shared the heartbreaking news with PEOPLE, describing Johnny as ‘a spectacular human being’ and reminiscing about his dedication and kindness. ‘Not just a talented actor who was committed to his craft but a real moral example to everyone who knew him,’ Shaul said. ‘In the highs and lows of a challenging profession, he always kept his chin up and kept striving for the best he could be. Our time with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on everyone. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever.’

According to reports from TMZ, which first broke the news, Johnny was shot on May 25th in Los Angeles while witnessing an attempted theft. His mother, Scarlett Wactor, explained that Johnny and a colleague had seen three men trying to steal a catalytic converter from his vehicle. Although Johnny did not confront them, he was tragically shot and later pronounced dead at the hospital early Saturday morning.

General Hospital paid tribute to Johnny on its official Instagram page, expressing the deep sorrow felt by the show’s team: ‘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.’

Sofia Mattsson, who played Sasha Gilmore on the show, commented on the post: ‘We will miss you so much Johnny. One of the most incredible humans I’ve ever met .’

Johnny Wactor began his acting career in 2007 with notable roles in ‘Army Wives’, ‘NCIS’, ‘The OA’, ‘Westworld’, ‘Station 19’, ‘Barbee Rehab’, ‘Siberia’, ‘Agent X’, ‘Animal Kingdom’, ‘Hollywood Girl’, and many more. He was widely respected in the industry for both his talent and his character.

In a heartfelt social media post from June 2023, Johnny shared some touching advice with his followers: ‘Have a great day everybody. Some helpful reminders shared with me today: Appreciate your health and take care of it. Offer help to your neighbor today. Be grateful for what you have instead of focusing on what you don’t.’

Johnny Wactor’s legacy will undoubtedly live on through his memorable performances and the positive impact he had on those who knew him. His untimely death is a tremendous loss to the entertainment industry and to all who admired him.