Johnny Wactor was included in the In Memorium segment of the Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday night.
The broadcast aired just eight days after the 37-year-old actor was shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles.
He played Brando Corbin on the long-running soap opera and lost his life when he interrupted a thief trying to steal the catalytic converter off of his car.
Following his tragic death, Wactor’s agent, David Shaul, told People that the Charleston native was ‘a talented actor who was committed to his craft’ and ‘a real moral example to everyone who knew him.’
Shaul praised Wactor for always ‘standing for hard work, tenacity’ and having a ‘never give up attitude.’
‘In the highs and lows of a challenging profession he always kept his chin up and kept striving for the best he could be,’ Shaul recalled.
Johnny Wactor was included in the In Memorium segment of the Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday night
The broadcast aired just eight days after the 37-year-old actor was shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles
‘Our time with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on everyone. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever,’ Shaul continued.
Wactor, who appeared in 164 episodes of the soap opera from 2020 to 2022, was leaving his side job at a rooftop bar with a female colleague at around 3:25am Saturday May 25 in the area of West Pico Boulevard and South Hope Street, when he saw the three men, believing he was being towed.
Police said that one of the three men, all of whom were wearing masks, shot Wactor before fleeing in a separate vehicle.
In the death certificate obtained by TMZ on Thursday, the medical examiner cited that the star tragically passed away at the age of 37 due to a ‘gunshot wound to the chest’ – with no other contributing factors.
His remains were cremated and returned to his mother Scarlett in his home state of South Carolina.
At the time of his death, he was walking a female co-worker named Anita to her car.
Johnny’s younger brother Grant confirmed to DailyMail.com that Johnny was shot in the chest as he came upon the suspects who were trying to steal the catalytic converter from his truck.
He said his brother and his co-worker Anita had to park about two blocks from the restaurant, so they were walking to their cars after they finished their shift.
Grant said they were brought up as ‘Southern gentlemen,’ so he was not surprised his older brother was walking his female co-worker to her car.
‘We’re Southern, born and raised, and we would never let a female walk to their car by herself.’
He played Brando Corbin on the long-running soap opera and lost his life when he interrupted a thief trying to steal the catalytic converter off of his car
Following his tragic death, Wactor’s agent, David Shaul, told People that the Charleston native was ‘a talented actor who was committed to his craft’ and ‘a real moral example to everyone who knew him’
Saul praised Wactor for always ‘standing for hard work, tenacity’ and having a ‘never give up attitude.’ ‘In the highs and lows of a challenging profession he always kept his chin up and kept striving for the best he could be,’ Saul recalled
Johnny’s younger brother Grant confirmed to DailyMail.com that Johnny was shot in the chest as he came upon the suspects who were trying to steal the catalytic converter from his truck
Anita shared a lengthy tribute to her friend of eight years on Instagram: ‘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. He lit up any room – you couldn’t not smile around him. His energy was magnetic and pulled you in so effortlessly – you were safe with him,’ she continued.
‘Johnny made you love him instantly. Absolutely one of the best men I’ve ever known. I’m so grateful to have been a part of his world and him, mine.
‘My heart is shattered with his loss but I believe l have gained the best guardian Angel out there. I love you Johnny Wacky.’
