Johnny Wactor's tragic death leaves General Hospital cast devastated: Kirsten Storms shares her 'heart hurts' after co-star was killed protecting female colleague from gun-wielding thieves

PUBLISHEDMon May 27 2024 05:36 GMT

UPDATEDMon May 27 2024 07:55 GMT

Just hours after it was revealed that former General Hospital star Johnny Wactor was tragically killed over the weekend, many of his co-stars are honoring him.

The 37-year-old actor was leaving his job at a rooftop bar in downtown Los Angeles on early Saturday morning, walking a female employee back to her car.

He noticed three masked men attempting to steal his vehicle's catalytic convertor when he confronted them, and one of the men shot him at roughly 3 AM.

After word of his death spread, many of his co-stars took to social media to honor Wactor, including his General Hospital co-star Kirsten Storms, who has played Maxie.

'I'm in a state of disbelief and complete sadness. I don’t typically do posts like this, but Johnny was such a special person and it feels important (for me) to put these words out there,' she began.

Just hours after it was revealed that former General Hospital star Johnny Wactor was tragically killed over the weekend , many of his co-stars are honoring him

Kirsten Storms films a scene with Johnny Wactor on the set of General Hospital

'To @johnnywactor‘s mother and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine what you must be feeling right now. You are in my thoughts and prayers,' she said.

'Johnny was one of those rare “real individuals” that you almost never come across. I was fortunate enough to have some really good conversations with him where we discussed things I don’t typically open up about,' she admitted.

'For some reason, we talked about the deep stuff. He was a safe space for those conversations and, in turn, he would talk about his life,' she added.

'He genuinely cared about people and their journeys in life. During his time on GH I witnessed him work hard and truly have respect for every single person in our building,' she said.

I just cannot believe that his life was stolen from him the way it was. My heart hurts. RIP Johnny,' Kirsten concluded.

Sofia Mattsson, who played Sasha Gilmore on General Hospital, added, '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,' she added.

'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,' she concluded.

Kirsten Storms with Johnny Wactor on the set of General Hospital

Laura Wright (Cathy Corinthos) took to her Instagram story with a snap of Wactor, captioned, 'In shock. My heart breaks for Johnny's family. He was an incredible man.'

Parry Shen (Brad Cooper) added on his Instagram, '@johnnywactor and I had never worked together during our time on GH. It was only until this past October that we got to know each other doing a multi-city event on the East Coast.'

'Our flights both got in early, so we walked through Boston together for 5 hours, had a dinner together, talked drink recipes (he was also a bartender extraordinaire),' he said.

'Shared our career & life stories. I was really excited to have a new person in my life that I instantly and effortlessly connected with,' he continued.

'Johnny Wactor was a beautiful, beautiful soul. So talented. No ego. And as you can see from the promo clip, always up for anything. Funny as all heck,' he said.

'Fit as all hell but also loved ice cream and ate all the junk I did as well. He also got me excited about live theater again after watching a Mamet play,' he added.

'I was truly looking forward to so many more years hanging out with him. We all were cheated of many years with him. To his mom and brothers, Johnny talked so lovingly of you all during our walk. My heart goes out to you,' he concluded.

Inga Cadranel (Harmony Miller) said shared a snap of Wactor on her Instagram story, adding, 'I'm gutted. I just learned that this shining beautiful light my friend has passed. We started #GH @generalhospitalabc around the same time. We had so many deep talks about love, life and family together. My heart aches @johnnywactor. My heart aches.'

Laura Wright (Cathy Corinthos) took to her Instagram story with a snap of Wactor, captioned, 'In shock. My heart breaks for Johnny's family. He was an incredible man'

Kelly Thiebaud (Dr. Britt Westbourne), added, 'I can't believe the news about Johnny... I can't... Not him. He was a beautiful special person. To take him away from his family and people who loved him so you can sell a catalytic convertor on the black market for 300 bucks angers me so much!!!! I am in shock.'

Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis), tweeted, 'Just tragic, enraging & heartbreaking. What a lovely man Johnny was.'

Ashton Arbab (Dev Cerci) tweeted, 'absolutely heartbroken while typing this. Johnny Wactor was not only my tv dad for more than 25 episodes on General Hospital but he was a great human, a kind soul, an inspiration and a one of a kind actor. May your soul rest in peace. Heaven gained an Angel.' #generalhospital #gh

Lydia Look (Selena Wu) said, 'Johnny, I’m crying and will be for a bit. I knew you were talented when you simply just took your shirt off when the rest of us were trying to outdo each other with our skits. I also knew there & then that you were fine as wine. I also saw how you’d let others take the spotlight whilst confident & loving in your own space. Most of all, I learnt what a magnificent human you were in our long car rides between fan events. I will cherish our chats. Thank you. My deepest condolences to the family of @johnnywactor I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is with my @generalhospitalabc family…'

Bonnie Burroughs (Gladys Corbin) said, 'I am heartbroken and sickened by this terrible loss. Johnny I love you. My heart breaks for your real mom and your whole family. The world is darker now.'

Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) said, 'Gutted…. ��️ sending my deepest condolences to his family �� I feel I must add to this post. The shock is so terrible, for such a genuine young man to be taken so violently. I am incredibly sad for his family. He was a very hardworking person, kind and extremely respectful to his fellow cast members. I am so sorry for his loss �� Johnny Wactor xxx.'

Jon Lindstrom (Dr. Kevin Collins) said, 'When the tears slow down, I am literally sick to my stomach at this news. Johnny was one of those rare young men in this business who was kind, unassuming, humble, and always thought about other people. A talented young guy who just wanted to share that talent with the world. I wish I had enough love to fill the hole that his loved ones must feel right now, but I know that’s impossible. Johnny will be missed on this plane. For a long time to come. R.I.P.'

Jeff Kober (Cyrus Renault) added, 'Farewell to our friend and fellow actor, JohnnyWactor. A beautiful man with a big beautiful heart. One of the kindest most thoughtful and gentle actors I’ve ever worked with. A tragic loss for all who had the gift of knowing him. My most sincere condolences to his family.'

Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis), tweeted, 'Just tragic, enraging & heartbreaking. What a lovely man Johnny was.'

Lydia Look (Selena Wu) said, 'Johnny, I’m crying and will be for a bit. I knew you were talented when you simply just took your shirt off when the rest of us were trying to outdo each other with our skits. I also knew there & then that you were fine as wine �� I also saw how you’d let others take the spotlight whilst confident & loving in your own space. Most of all, I learnt what a magnificent human you were in our long car rides between fan events. I will cherish our chats. Thank you. My deepest condolences to the family of @johnnywactor I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is with my @generalhospitalabc family…'

Bonnie Burroughs (Gladys Corbin) said, 'I am heartbroken and sickened by this terrible loss. Johnny I love you. My heart breaks for your real mom and your whole family. The world is darker now'

Actor Johnny Wactor was a 'southern gentleman' who was protecting a female co-worker from the armed thieves who fatally shot him Saturday, his brother Grant told DailyMail.com.

Wactor, 37, was leaving his job at a rooftop bar with a co-worker in the early hours of Saturday morning when he saw three men attempting to steal his catalytic converter.

Johnny's younger brother Grant and grandmother Barbara said that Johnny was working at a downtown LA restaurants, as he often picked up side gigs as a bartender. They didn't know which bar he was working that night.

He said Johnny and his co-worker had to park about two blocks from the restaurant, so they were walking to their cars after they finished their shift.

According to Grant, he and his brothers were brought up as 'Southern gentlemen,' so he was not surprised his older brother was walking his female co-worker to her car.

Johnny Wactor's tragic death leaves General Hospital cast devastated: Kirsten Storms shares her 'heart hurts' after co-star was killed protecting female colleague from gun-wielding thieves

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