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Johnny Wactor’s Co-Worker, Anita Joy, Speaks Out For First Time Since His Fatal Shooting and Saving Her Life

By Michael Fairman

Published

2 years ago

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Photo: ABC

Those who knew Johnny Wactor (ex-Brando Corbin, GH) were well aware of what an upstanding man he was. As tributes poured in when news that the General Hospital alum was shot and killed by one of three car thieves, they all spoke to his qualities as a human being.

Over the first 24 hours since his passing, the public learned Wactor lost his life putting himself in front of a female co-worker when confronted by his assailants, following their shift at a downtown LA bar. The thieves were attempting to steal his catalytic converter from his vehicle.

Now. Wactor’s former co-work, Anita Joy, has spoken out for the first time via her Instagram account of what happened on that fateful morning and her remembrances accompanied by photos and videos with Johnny.  As many now know, Johnny died a hero.

Photo: AJoyInstagram

Anita began, “I’ve needed to take some time to collect myself and my thoughts. I was with Johnny in his last moments and I’m here to be his voice after such unimaginable events. His story is in this post as it happened, please swipe through the top photos and read it. Early Saturday morning (May 25) after our bartending shift Friday night at Level 8 in DTLA.”

“He was killed senselessly by a coward who reacted without care of the gorgeous life he was taking,” Joy shared.  So, I’m angry, I’m sad and I’m all of the feelings and once … but above all, I am here for Johnny’s justice. My friend of 8 years went from laughing together, working side by side, leaving our bartending shift and walking to our cars, to him dying in my arms in the street of DTLA in the dark hours of 3am.”

She went on to say, “Everything happened in an instant. I’ve come to describe it as a glass of water that gets tipped over and you’re scrambling to grab it and save it from spilling out completely but it just runs through your fingertips and is gone.” Joy said that she and Wactor, “cautiously approached the men questioning what they were doing, at first thinking the car was being towed.”

Photo: ABC

“We were no threat and Johnny kept his cool as he always did, simply stating that it was his car and for them to leave. Hands open to his sides in peace, Joy recounted. “Johnny was between me and the man who shot him – as I heard the shot ring into the night, he forcefully tumbled back into my arms as I grabbed for him I shouted, ‘Hunny, you OK?’ And he only responded, ‘Nope! Shot!’ Joy went on to say that she and Johnny “toppled onto the street” where she was trying to hold his body up as she was screaming for help and screaming at Johnny to “stay with me.”

Next, Joy details that a security guard named Bryan ran into the street and phoned 911. Anita wrote, “I’m so thankful for Bryan showing up, trying with all his might to save Johnny. My only peace is that I was him and this didn’t happen to him alone. My other peace will be seeing these awful men brought to justice.”

Speaking on Wactor’s character, Joy added, “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. He treated everyone with love, respect, compassion and he really ‘saw’ you.”

Photo: ABC

“He was beautiful, goofy as hell, full of work ethic and values, he never put people down, even when joking, he never made you feel unsure of yourself – he knew how to be hilarious in such a positive way and it just made him that much more lovable. It just filled your heart to be around him,” she recalled.  Johnny made you love him instantly,” Joy added. “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.”

Anita then addressed the crime that took Johnny’s life and how Level 8 did not provide parking for its late night shift workers.  Joy explained, “These criminals need to be caught – Level 8 needs to provide parking for their late hour staff as they originally promised- This cannot be something that isn’t responded to with action, it needs to be addressed in a manner to prevent anything like this ever happening again to the best of their ability – Level 8 needs to contribute to Johnny’s family to honor and respect him for all the hard work and effort he did for them.”

Photo: AJoyIG

Speaking on GoFundMe page that has been set for Wactor, Anita spoke about Johnny’s family, expressing, “They are on the other side of the country and it’s going to be a lot on them emotionally and financially to get Johnny home to them.”

What do you think about Anita’s account of Johnny dying in her arms after shielding her from the thieves who were trying to steal his catalytic converter in his car? Her remembrances of the man she became friends and co-workers with? Comment below.

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I am glad she was with him and he was not alone. I hope that she will remain strong going forward and I hope that the workplace will do the right thing in making sure their workers are safe when leaving so late, they have to do the right thing, had the business taken action earlier this could have been prevented.

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The business didn’t know that this would have happened.

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Its downtown L.A., its a crap hole, of course this is going to happen!

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That section of downtown is far from “a crap hole” with many new apartments sprouting up. That said, I wouldn’t likely walk solo at 3am in the morning.

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Ok, Jesus.

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Her point being the employer knew the late night staff had previously expressed their concerns about safety. Her words: “Level 8 needs to provide parking for their late hour staff as they originally promised”
Right or wrong, I’d bet a civil suit against the employer is on the way.

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Yes, sadly, the employer should’ve provided employee parking for it’s late night staff. The more details we learn, the sadder this becomes. Prayers for her. Prayers for Johnny’s family.

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If you read the news, you’ll see that these brazen criminals are stealing those Catalitic Converters right in owner’s driveways. They will go to any means to obtain them and unfortunately there really isn’t a safe place except for a locked garage and who knows how far these scumbags will go to get what they want

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Level 8 should definitely have provided employee parking. Especially for those who work so late.

Johnny sounds like he was a great guy.

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Michael,

Saying I’m gutted is so melodramatic, so I’ll just skip the hyperbole.

Reading something horrific about someone you lived with is awful beyond belief.

I knew Johnny for a brief time. In fact, he was my roommate for a very short time in the San Fernando Valley. We shared the same disgusting landlord. I have to be honest. When I first heard his name I was like an Actor by the name of Wactor. I thought it was some kind of joke but it was the truth and I actually have a famous name (none of the money) so I get it.

Johnny was a very charismatic guy who at that time was getting his life together and was doing the acting thing. This was before his stint on General Hospital.

Johnny was a nice, generous young man who you can’t help but want to be around, always wanted to be positive regardless if people deserved it or not. He was definitely not hard on the eyes.

I was sad to see Johnny move on from the apartment and I was overjoyed when he landed the General Hospital gig. I was heartbroken to hear he was released from the show for “storyline purposes.”

I sincerely hope that the despicable pieces of human excrement involved with this killing will be looking up from the lowest pit of Hell for all eternity.

Rest easy and thank you for being part of my life, Johnny. God bless you. My prayers are with your friends and your loved ones at this truly terrible time.

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Thank you for your kind and sincere account of Johnny’s last day . I live in the San Diego area and worried when a few years ago my granddaughter worked at bartending and faced the same scary situation of walking to a parking area at 3AM. I think any large city faces these unsafe issues, not just L.A as depicted by a lot of fans here. I’m sorry this happened to Anita and her dear friend ,Johnny. We only knew him as a beloved actor that we saw on our TV screen but this is something she’ll carry forever. Hopefully, her memories, nightmares, etc will lesson in time.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

Published

15 hours ago

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May 1, 2026

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Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.

Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.

The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark

Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”

In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.

It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.

Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.

You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.

So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

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‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?

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1 day ago

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April 30, 2026

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On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.

As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.

Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC

Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.

BROTHERLY LOVE?

Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”

With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”

BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE

Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”

So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair

Published

2 days ago

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April 30, 2026

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After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!

In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.

Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.

MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP

Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!

At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.

Courtesy/ABC

BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY

Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”

LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER

In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?

So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.

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