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 who was trying to steal the catalytic converter from his car.
Following his tragic death, Wactor’s agent, David Shaul, said People that the Charleston native was “a talented actor who was committed to his craft” and “a true moral example to all who knew him.”
Shaul praised Wactor for “always championing hard work, tenacity” and having a “never give up attitude.”
“Throughout the ups and downs of a challenging profession, he always kept his head held high and strived to be 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 that we would wish upon everyone. He would literally give you the shirt he’s wearing. After more than a decade together, he will forever leave a hole in our hearts,” 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 around 3:25 a.m. on Saturday, May 25 in the area of West Pico Boulevard and South Hope Street, when he saw the three men and believed they were towing him.
Police said one of the three men, all wearing masks, shot Wactor before fleeing in a separate vehicle.
On the death certificate obtained by TMZ On Thursday, the medical examiner cited that the star tragically died 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 her home state of South Carolina.
At the time of his death, he was accompanying a co-worker named Anita to her car.
Johnny’s younger brother Grant confirmed to DailyMail.com that Johnny was shot in the chest when he encountered suspects trying to steal the catalytic converter from his truck.
He said his brother and co-worker Anita had to park about two blocks from the restaurant, so they walked to their cars after finishing their shift.
Grant said they were raised as ‘Southern gentlemen,’ so he wasn’t surprised that his older brother was walking his coworker to her car.
“We’re Southerners, born and raised, and we would never let a woman walk to her car alone.”
He played Brando Corbin on the long-running soap opera and lost his life when he interrupted a thief who was trying to steal the catalytic converter from 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 true moral example to all who knew him.”
Saul praised Wactor for “always championing hard work, tenacity” and having a “never give up attitude.” “Throughout the ups and downs of a challenging profession, he always kept his head held high and strived to be the best he could be,” Saul recalled.
Anita shared a lengthy tribute to her friend of eight years on Instagram: ‘Johnny had this incredible ability that was really his genuine nature: to make everyone feel so special in his eyes.
‘No matter how well you knew him, he treated everyone as if he really cared about you. He lit up any room; It was impossible not to smile around him. “His energy was magnetic and he drew you in effortlessly – you were safe with him,” she continued.
‘Johnny made you love him instantly. Absolutely one of the best men I have ever met. I am very grateful to have been part of his world and he, mine.
‘My heart is broken by your loss, but I believe I have gained the best guardian angel there is. I love you Johnny Wacky.’