World4 min(s) read
Published 10:03 30 May 2024 GMT
Johnny Wactor's co-worker has spoken out after he was killed shielding her from a group of alleged thieves.
Days after it was reported that the actor - best known for his role as Brando Corbin in General Hospital - was fatally shot in downtown Los Angeles, Anita Joy, who was with him at the time of his death has spoken out.
Speaking to TMZ, the actor's mom Scarlett revealed that her son had just finished a shift at a nearby rooftop bar when he and Joy were allegedly met by the three masked suspects who were by his vehicle attempting to steal his catalytic converter.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday morning, resulted in Wactor being shot trying to shield his co-worker after attempting to talk to one of the men.
In a lengthy statement posted to Instagram, the worker recalled the tragic incident.
"I've needed to take some time to collect myself and my thoughts," Joy began her lengthy post on Wednesday. "I was with Johnny in his last moments and I'm here to be his voice after such unimaginable events."
"He was killed senselessly by a coward who reacted without care of the gorgeous life he was taking. So I'm angry, I'm sad and I'm all of the feelings and once... but above all, I am here for Johnny's justice."
She continued, delving into the details of the incident.
"My friend of eight years went from laughing together, working side by side, leaving our bartending shift and walking to our cars, to him dying in my arms in the streets of DTLA in the dark hours of 3am," she wrote, adding that the "basic details of this horrific story" boils down "to a few criminals trying to steal a car part."
"Everything happened in an instant," the bartender continued. "I've come to describe it as a glass of water that gets tipped over and you're scrambling to grab it and save it from spilling out completely but it just runs through your fingertips and is gone.
"'We cautiously approached the men, questioning what they were doing, at first thinking the car was being towed. We were no threat and Johnny kept his cool as he always did, simply stating that it was his car and for them to leave. Hands open to his sides in peace."
Joy also stated that the 37-year-old was stood between her and the men when he was shot.
"I heard the shot ring into the night, he forcefully tumbled back into my arms and as I grabbed for him, I shouted, 'Hunny you ok?!' And he only responded, 'Nope! Shot!'
"We toppled onto the street, where I pushed my legs under him and tried to hold his body up while screaming for help and screaming at him to stay with me."
A security guard rushed over as she screamed for help. He tried to administer CPR while tying a jacket around the wound.
'It was too close range, too extreme of a wound for him to survive it. But my God, he fought to stay," she added.
The second part of the post shifted to the 35-year-old emphasizing that she's "utterly heartbroken and so very angry."
"My only peace is that I was with him and this didn't happen to him alone," she wrote. "My only other peace will be seeing these awful men brought to justice."
In the caption, the star also put some kind words about Wactor and what a great person he was before urging followers to contribute to his family via their GoFundMe account which was linked in her bio.
|Johnny had this incredible ability that was truly just his genuine nature — to make anyone and everyone feel so special in his eyes. No matter how well you knew him, he treated everyone like he truly cared about you," she said.
Prior to Joy's post, it was confirmed that the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner determined that the actor died from a gunshot wound to the chest. His manner of death is listed as a homicide.
4 min(s) read
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us4 min(s) read
Published 12:42 27 May 2024 GMT
Johnny Wactor lost his life while attempting to protect a female co-worker, his brother has said.
Over the weekend, it was reported that the 37-year-old actor had sadly died after being fatally shot in downtown Los Angeles.
Wactor's mom, Scarlett, told TMZ that her son had just finished a shift at a nearby rooftop bar, when he and a co-worker walked to his vehicle in the early hours of Saturday morning.
However, when they arrived at his car, they were allegedly met by three masked suspects attempting to steal his catalytic converter.
Speaking to KABC, the grieving mom claimed that her son believed his car was being towed and attempted to speak to one of the suspects. He was then shot.
Paramedics rushed Johnny to a nearby hospital, but he was sadly pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
Now, the actor's brother has shared more details about the tragic incident.
Grant Wactor told Daily Mail: “We’re Southern, born and raised, and we would never let a female walk to their car by herself.
“He came across them and he thought his truck was being towed. So he said something to the guys, like, ‘Hey, are you towing?’
“And then once he turned around, he saw what was happening and he put his coworker behind him. And that’s when they shot him.”
Citing the Los Angeles Police Department’s assessment of the incident, Grant said that his brother was backing away before the men opened fire, echoing their mom's claims that Johnny did not try to fight or stop them.
The three suspects fled the scene in a vehicle and - as of this writing - have not been identified.
The actor's grandmother, Barbara, described the killing as "senseless", adding: "We are completely devastated."
Additionally, mom Scarlett added that her son's final heroic moments are "a light in a dark room", in an interview with NBC News.
Wactor appeared in more than 160 episodes of the hit ABC soap opera General Hospital.
Following news of Wactor's passing, his castmates have taken to social media to pay tribute to the star.
Actress Bonnie Burroughs - who played Johnny's on-screen mom on the show - wrote on Instagram: "It was my great privilege to work with and become friends with this gentle, talented, generous soul. I loved him and grieve for his real mother."
In a post of her own, she added: "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."
And Wactor's on-screen wife Sofia Mattsson also paid tribute, writing: "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. 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."
Sofia Mattsson, who plays Sasha Gilmore on the show, added: "We will miss you so much Johnny. One of the most incredible humans I’ve ever met."
And Kelly Thiebaud, who plays Dr. Britt Westbourne on the hit ABC daytime soap opera, described Wactor as "one of the best".
Our thoughts continue to go out to Wactor's family, friends, and fans at this time.
celebrity2 min(s) read
Published 11:18 16 Aug 2024 GMT
us4 min(s) read
Published 08:22 27 May 2024 GMT
Johnny Wactor - star of the popular TV show General Hospital - has been killed in Los Angeles during an alleged armed car robbery.
The actor's grieving mom, Scarlett Wactor, confirmed the news to TMZ, adding that her son was fatally shot in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was just 37 years old.
Mom Scarlett told the outlet that her son had been with a coworker when they allegedly stumbled upon three suspects attempting to steal a catalytic converter from Johnny's car.
Los Angeles authorities have not officially named the actor as a victim of the incident, but Scarlett's comments match the description of a reported incident in which three masked suspects allegedly tried to steal the expensive catalytic converter.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:30AM on May 25, TMZ reports - citing Scarlett and LA police.
Mom Scarlett says that Johnny 'didn't try to fight or stop them', but he was still shot at and killed. The suspects then fled in a vehicle. Speaking to KABC, Scarlett claimed that her son believed his car was being towed and attempted to speak to one of the suspects.
Johnny - who has appeared in more than 160 episodes of General Hospital as Brando Corbin - had just finished a shift at a rooftop bar prior to the tragic incident taking place.
Paramedics rushed Johnny to a nearby hospital, but he was sadly pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
Officials for General Hospital have issued a statement following the actor's heartbreaking death, writing: "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."
Actress Bonnie Burroughs - who played Johnny's on-screen mom on the show - commented on Instagram: "It was my great privilege to work with and become friends with this gentle, talented, generous soul. I loved him and grieve for his real mother."
In a post of her own, she added: "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."
And Wactor's on-screen wife Sofia Mattsson also paid tribute, writing: "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. 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."
Wactor's manager, Marco Cuadros with Immortal Artist, said in a statement: "Johnny Wactor was such a kind soul, a talented actor and an inspiration to those around him. His professionalism, his enthusiasm and love for his craft was infectious and made him such a joy to work with.
"He pursued his dreams and achieved them, all the while remaining a good human being caring for others. I am proud to say I was Johnny's manager and friend. He will always be cherished in my memory. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."
As well as General Hospital, Wactor is known for his performances in Station 19, NCIS, Westworld, and for his voice work in the video game Call of Duty: Vanguard.
Our thoughts go out to Wactor's family, friends, and fans at this time.
us2 min(s) read
Published 14:29 28 May 2024 GMT
film & tv3 min(s) read
Published 11:19 27 May 2024 GMT
Stars of the hit TV show General Hospital have paid tribute to actor and former cast member Johnny Wactor who was killed this weekend at the age of 37.
As previously reported, the actor's grieving mom, Scarlett, confirmed the heartbreaking news to TMZ, adding that her son was fatally shot in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Mom Scarlett told the outlet that her son had just finished a shift at a bar and was walking with a co-worker to his car in the early hours of Saturday (May 25).
They then allegedly stumbled upon three suspects attempting to steal a catalytic converter from Johnny's car.
Los Angeles authorities have not officially named the actor as a victim of the incident, but Scarlett's comments match the description of a reported incident in which three masked suspects allegedly tried to steal the expensive catalytic converter.
In a further interview with KABC, Scarlett claimed that her son believed his car was being towed and attempted to speak to one of the suspects. That's when he was shot and fatally wounded.
Despite paramedics rushing the actor to a nearby hospital, he was soon declared dead following their arrival
Johnny had appeared in more than 160 episodes of General Hospital as Brando Corbin.
Following news of his passing, the show released a statement on its social media pages reading: "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."
In response, some of the cast members closest to Wactor also paid tribute.
Actress Bonnie Burroughs - who played Johnny's on-screen mom on the show - commented on Instagram: "It was my great privilege to work with and become friends with this gentle, talented, generous soul. I loved him and grieve for his real mother."
In a post of her own, she added: "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."
And Wactor's on-screen wife Sofia Mattsson also paid tribute, writing: "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. 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."
Sofia Mattsson, who plays Sasha Gilmore on the show, added: "We will miss you so much Johnny. One of the most incredible humans I’ve ever met."
And Kelly Thiebaud, who plays Dr. Britt Westbourne on the hit ABC daytime soap opera, described Wactor as "one of the best".
Our thoughts continue to go out to Wactor's family, friends, and fans at this time.
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