Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI, ABC (3)
As news spread that General Hospital alum Johnny Wactor had been senselessly shot and killed, his Port Charles family took to social media to express their shock. “My heart is so utterly broken,” said Sofia Mattsson, who plays Brando’s widow, Sasha. “Johnny was the absolute best. So genuine. So caring. Incredibly hardworking 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,” she added. “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.”
Read on to see what more of Wactor’s Port Charles family, and daytime at large, had to say about the late actor.
Courtney Hope (Sally, Young & Restless)
In response to Mattsson’s post, Hope wrote, “I’m so sorry. I am in shock. What a devastating and unnecessary loss of a great human. My heart is with you.”
Kirsten Storms (Maxie, General Hospital)
“I’m in a state of disbelief and complete sadness,” Instagrammed the actress. “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. To Johnny’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. 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. 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. He genuinely cared about people and their journeys in life. During his time on General Hospital, I witnessed him work hard and truly have respect for every single person in our building. I just cannot believe that his life was stolen from him the way it was. My heart hurts. RIP, Johnny.”
Jon Lindstrom (Kevin, General Hospital)
“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,” Instagrammed the General Hospital vet. “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. RIP.”
Ashton Arbab (ex-Dev, General Hospital)
“Absolutely heartbroken while typing this,” Arbab tweeted. “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.”
William deVry (ex-Julian, General Hospital)
“Honestly, words can’t begin to express the sadness with which to convey my feelings towards losing another General Hospital alum,” tweeted deVry. “The senselessness of this loss is beyond description. Johnny was such a good guy. Really horrible. RIP, Johnny, and much love and comfort to those who loved him.”
Laura Wright (Carly, General Hospital)
“Heartbreaking. What an incredible man,” tweeted the Emmy winner. “Deep love and prayers to Johnny’s family.”
Maurice Benard (Sonny, General Hospital)
“What can I say about something so senseless?” mused the Emmy winner. “Johnny was the sweetest guy, coolest dude and just a great soul. This is beyond words. You will be missed, my friend.”
Kathleen Gati (Obrecht, General Hospital)
“Another talented, kind and generous General Hospital colleague gone too soon,” tweeted Liesl’s portrayer. “Deepest condolences to [Wactor’s] family, friends, colleagues and fans.”
Kelly Thiebaud (ex-Britt, General Hospital)
“Johnny Wactor, you were one of the good ones,” tweeted Thiebaud. “I’m so sorry this happened to you. RIP.”
Parry Shen (Brad, General Hospital)
“Johnny Wactor was a beautiful, beautiful soul. So talented… always up for anything,” marveled his former co-star. “Funny as all heck. Fit as all hell but also loved ice cream and ate all the junk I did as well. We all were cheated of many years with him.”
Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis, General Hospital)
The Emmy winner summed up Wactor’s crushing passing thusly: “Just tragic, enraging and heartbreaking. What a lovely man Johnny was.”
Finola Hughes (Anna, General Hospital)
Upon hearing the terrible news, the Emmy winner was “gutted… Sending my deepest condolences to his family… 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.”
Lexi Ainsworth (ex-Kristina, General Hospital)
“This is heartbreaking,” the actress replied to former TV mom Grahn’s Instagram post. “When will it be enough for actual gun control to take place? He was such a great person.”
Lydia Look (Selina, General Hospital)
“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 and then that you were fine as wine. I also saw how you’d let others take the spotlight whilst confident and loving in your own space. Most of all, I learned what a magnificent human you were in our long car rides between fan events. I will cherish our chats. Thank you… Brother, I am so grateful I got to know you. I am going to miss you, Johnny Wactor.”
Briana Lane (ex-Brook Lynn, General Hospital)
“The world lost a wonderful person yesterday and a true gentleman to everyone he met,” tweeted the actress. “I feel lucky to have known him and to have experienced the warmth he exuded so effortlessly.”
Eric Martsolf (Brady, Days of Our Lives)
Hearing the tragic news, Marsolf tweeted that he was “saddened by this. Great guy and gentleman. RIP, Johnny.”
Bonnie Borroughs (ex-Gladys, General Hospital)
“I am heartbroken and sickened by this terrible loss,” said the actress who played Brando’s mom. “Johnny, I love you. My heart breaks for your real mom and your whole family. The world is darker now.”
Cynthia Watros (Nina, General Hospital)
“What a kind soul,” the Emmy winner said of Wactor. “We lost an amazing man.”
Chad Duell (Michael, General Hospital)
“Some POS scum taking the life of someone who’s making something of themselves, and an amazing person,” raged the Emmy winner. “So disgusting and infuriating. Don’t know what else to say… just so wrong.”
Jeff Kober (Cyrus, General Hospital)
“Farewell to our friend and fellow actor, JohnnyWactor. A beautiful man with a big beautiful heart,” Kober called him. “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.”
Risa Dorken (Amy, General Hospital)
“Everyone loved Johnny. [What’s happened is] really unbelievable.”
Mark Lawson (ex-Dustin, General Hospital)
Wactor’s onetime castmate called him “a gentleman. A firebrand. A maverick. I didn’t get to work much with him, but in the short time I got to know him, I grew to admire him, even though he was almost a decade younger than me. He was a rock climber, a literal storm chaser. His passion project was a film featuring live tornado-chasing! A beautiful madman. It’s a shame, but sometimes [the] brightest flames burn quickest. Johnny was murdered on Saturday morning after confronting thieves stealing his catalytic converter. What a terrible loss. There are sad and beautiful lessons in this. Just trying to find them. Rest in peace, Johnny.”
