'General Hospital' Actor Johnny Wactor's Final Film to Premiere at Festival Posthumously

One year after the tragic murder of actor Johnny Wactor in downtown Los Angeles, his legacy is set to be honored with the premiere of his final film at a prominent industry festival. Wactor, aged 37 at the time of his death, was fatally shot on May 25, 2024, after encountering three individuals attempting to steal the catalytic converter from his vehicle.

The incident occurred after Wactor completed a shift at Level 8, a rooftop bar in Los Angeles. As he and co-worker Anita Joy approached his parked car in the early hours, they discovered that it had been raised with a floor jack. According to police reports and statements from Wactor’s family, he confronted the suspects, attempting to protect his colleague. His mother, Scarlett Wactor, shared that Johnny stepped between Joy and the masked individuals before being shot, an act of bravery that friends say was characteristic of him.

Wactor’s final performance was captured in the independent film "Ciao, Mama," shot in 2022. The movie will have its world premiere at the Dances with Films Festival, scheduled for June 24, 2025, at TCL Cinemas in Hollywood. Friends and family describe the film as a heartfelt story about family, friendship, and love—qualities they say Wactor embodied in life.

“It’s really important to me, and his family, that his legacy lives on for the incredible things he brought to the world,” said actor and close friend Micah Joe Parker. He emphasized that while Johnny’s passing was marked by tragedy, the focus should now shift to the positive impact he made on those around him.

Colleagues at Level 8, including Anita Joy, had reportedly raised concerns about inadequate parking and safety measures in the months leading up to the shooting. Joy later took to social media to voice her grief and demand justice, describing Wactor’s death as both senseless and preventable.

Nearly three months after the fatal shooting, law enforcement arrested four suspected members of the Florencia 13 gang in connection with the crime. The case brought renewed attention to ongoing thefts targeting automotive parts in Los Angeles and highlighted community concerns about escalating violence.

Wactor’s acting career began with roles on television shows such as "Army Wives" and included appearances on "Animal Kingdom," "Criminal Minds," and "Westworld." He was best known for his portrayal of Brando Corbin in more than 160 episodes of "General Hospital" between 2020 and 2022, earning a devoted following among fans and respect from fellow actors.

As "Ciao, Mama" prepares for its debut, those closest to Wactor hope the film will serve as an enduring tribute to his spirit. “He was a doer. He was a dreamer. That’s where we’re turning the page now,” Parker said, underscoring the desire to celebrate Wactor’s life and achievements, rather than allowing his story to rest solely on the circumstances of his untimely death.