CofC Scholarship Honors Alum's Magnetism, Passion for Life
Johnny Wactor '09, who was tragically killed in 2024, had a passion for living that he shared with everyone he met.
The world lost someone who brought a lot of positivity to the world when Johnny Wactor III ’09 was murdered while shielding a co-worker in 2024.
“He spread joy wherever he went,” says his mom, Scarlett Wactor. “He talked to anyone. Everybody needs to be heard and seen. That was something he did really well – making people be seen.”
A year after his death, a lot of good friends and connections want to honor Johnny’s memory and the impact he had on the campus community, which is why they created the Johnny W. Wactor III ’09 Endowed Scholarship for College of Charleston students with financial need from rural/suburban areas within the Lowcountry.
While at the College of Charleston, classmates felt Johnny’s magnetic energy, including his then-girlfriend, Katie Tumbleston ’08 (M.P.A ’13). He pledged Sigma Chi, and Tumbleston pledged Chi Omega.
“At Chi O, Johnny was everyone’s boyfriend – platonically, of course,” smiles Tumbleston. “I dated him, but the whole sorority embraced him as one of our own. He was unapologetically himself – big hearted, over the top and so genuine. You couldn’t help but love him.
“He encouraged me to embrace my authentic self,” she adds. It was something he inspired in nearly everyone he encountered.
Johnny grew up in Summerville, South Carolina, and came to the College on a swimming scholarship. He chose to leave the swim team, however, so he had to cover his own school expenses. Thus, he worked throughout college, climbing from bar back to waiter at Charleston Grill, where Tumbleston would drop him off at 5 p.m. and pick him up at 2 a.m.
“He’d hop in my car at 2 a.m., drenched in sweat and smelling like the back of the house, but he never once complained,” Tumbleston recalls, noting that, while his friends were at the beach or out on the boat, Johnny had his nose to the grindstone. “He was one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known – especially when he moved to L.A. to chase his dream.”
Rob Becker ’08, Johnny’s college roommate for three years, agrees.
“He was a true leader who led by example. If he said he would do something, he’d just do it,” says Becker. “He was so determined. He would often stay out until 2:30 a.m. but get up at 6 a.m. to study. He always got good grades.”
Johnny double majored in business administration and Spanish, and took any chance he could to improve himself, including a study abroad experience in Argentina. Still, he knew he was going to pursue a career in acting, so he kept an eye out for opportunities. His first break while at the College was becoming an extra on Army Wives, a Lifetime series filmed in Charleston.
When he graduated, Johnny moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. To realize his dream, he worked three jobs, and found success in various acting roles, including on ABC’s General Hospital and NBC’s Siberia.
Fortunately, Johnny also had the self-awareness to be the best person he could be, and when he found his drinking was impacting his life, he decided to stop.
“Johnny was very proud of his sobriety,” says Scarlett, who shared that Johnny was always willing to help others suffering from addiction. “He was seven years sober and started every day with prayer, meditation and gratitude.”
Whenever his mom misses him, she watches him in the 2023 film Supercell.
“He had a short scene,” she says, “but I get to see him and hear his voice. I am so grateful that I can do that.”
Friends also want to remember Johnny’s passion for living. Through the Johnny W. Wactor III ’09 Endowed Scholarship, they want to honor his rare combination of magnetism and humility.
“He noticed the little things and was always genuinely grateful for even the smallest acts of kindness,” says Tumbleston.
Becker is grateful for what Johnny did for him in college.
“I went through an overweight phase my sophomore year, and he sat me down for a talk. Thanks to him, I’ve done multiple marathons, and every time I do, I think of him,” he says. “He wanted us all to be the best we could be.”
Two anonymous donors have pledged to match the first $50,000 donated to the Johnny W. Wactor III ’09 Endowed Scholarship so that someone who positively impacted so many is not forgotten.
To donate in memory of Johnny, please go to the Johnny W. Wactor III ’09 Endowed Scholarship.
