Johnny Wactor’s friends ‘angry’ that he was killed in crime – NBC Los Angeles

While police were still searching for the gunman who killed actor Johnny Wactor on Monday, the acting world mourned the loss of one of the most popular stars of the soap opera “General Hospital.”

Some of Wactor’s friends said they felt a mix of emotions, including disbelief and anger.

“This guy deserves to be on the front page of Deadline for his talent, his skill and his art – not this,” said Micah Parker, who worked on Wactor’s last project together. “I’m very angry that this is tolerated.”

His acting teacher Stuart Rogers said he too was struggling with shock and anger.

“I’m mad he died because of a damn catalytic converter,” Rogers said.

After starring on “General Hospital” for two years, Wactor appeared in numerous television shows and films. Even as Wactor became a recognized star on daytime television, he remained humble and approachable, according to Mike Silver, who directed Wactor’s first film, “The Interrogation.”

“This guy was just a real team player,” Silver said. “He had no sense of his fame or what he had accomplished. He was always just open, curious and interested.”

During last year’s Hollywood strikes, Wactor was often on picket lines with other actors to push for better contracts for SAG-AFTRA members.

“We give independent and emerging authors the opportunity to show what they can do,” Wactor said in August 2023.

The LAPD confirmed that Wactor was shot while trying to stop a group of three men who were trying to steal the catalytic converter from his car near the intersection of Hope Street and Pico Boulevard.

One of the suspects shot the victim and the trio then fled the scene.

Police were dispatched to the scene at around 3:15 a.m. Paramedics took the shooting victim to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

No arrests were made.