Johnny Wactor, best known for his role on General Hospital, also made an appearance in NCIS during the days of Agent Leroy Gibbs. Hollywood was left stunned last week when news broke that the 37-year-old actor had been murdered in downtown Los Angeles.
Wactor was shot by one of three suspects attempting to steal the catalytic converter from his car around 3 am on Saturday, May 25. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. Wactor was with his friend and colleague, Anita Joy, at the time, and heroically saved her life by shielding her from the armed thieves.
Wactor’s most prominent role was as Brando Corbin on the medical drama General Hospital, a part he played for two years. He also had smaller roles in shows such as Criminal Minds, Siberia, and The Hollywood Girl.
Johnny Wactor appeared in NCIS just five years ago, in 2019, during season 16, episode 12, titled “The Last Link.” He played Navy Lieutenant Ross Johnson, who had a hit put out on him by drug dealer Michael Deegan. The hit was unsuccessful, and to catch the mastermind, the NCIS team staged Johnson’s death and used his hitman, Peaches, to lure Deegan in.
Peaches agreed to wear a wire to get a confession from Deegan, but the drug lord denied any knowledge of a “hit” during the interview with NCIS. Deegan, aware that Johnson was still alive, continued to plot his murder. Despite being advised to leave his phone behind, Johnson took it with him to a hotel, where he was tracked down. His food was poisoned with a potent byproduct of fentanyl, necessitating an emergency shower for everyone who came into contact with the body or the food.
Since Wactor’s death, Anita Joy released a statement honoring her brave friend. She said, “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. I hope the stamp of his voice saying that every time I saw him never leaves my memory. Just one look into his big blue eyes, followed by a big goofy grin, Johnny made you love him instantly. Absolutely one of the best men I’ve ever known.”
NCIS is available to watch on CBS and Disney+.