The Story of Johnny Wactor and Tessa Farrell: A Relationship Remembered

Johnny Wactor and Ex-Fiancee Tessa Farrell Relationship Timeline

Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images; Ella Hovsepian/Getty Images

General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor**** passed away at the age of 37 in May 2024. Among those grieving his loss was his ex-fiancée, Tessa Farrell.

In a TikTok video on May 27, Farrell expressed her sorrow, saying, "He was so fun, such a bright soul." This came just a day after Johnny's mother, Scarlett Wactor, revealed to TMZ that the actor had been shot in Los Angeles the day before and was tragically pronounced dead at the hospital.

Farrell mentioned that despite his human flaws, he always strived to better himself.

He also spoke out against gun violence and addressed the individuals responsible. (Scarlett explained to TMZ that Johnny was shot when he and his coworker caught three men trying to steal his catalytic converter.)

"It's not okay, this can't keep happening," Farrell said, expressing her disapproval. She then directly spoke to Johnny's attacker, apologizing and urging them to reconsider their choices. "You shot the wrong guy. There are other options, like getting a real job. Times are tough, but we're all facing it together. Stealing, especially taking a life, is not the answer."

In the video, Farrell looked back on her relationship with Johnny. Continue scrolling for a timeline of their romance.

When They Met

Johnny Wactor and Ex-Fiancee Tessa Farrell Relationship Timeline

Farrell remembered meeting in 2013 when they both moved to Hollywood to chase their acting dreams. They started out as friends and then ended up falling in love.

A ‘Fiery’ Love Story

Farrell noted that her and Johnny’s dynamic was intense.

"It was so intense. We really brought out the best and the worst in each other. Our lives were never the same after that."

The actress also proudly displayed the engagement ring she wore during her relationship with Johnny.

Reflecting on the Engagement Ring

She held her hand up to the camera, showcasing a beautiful silvery band. "This is the ring we used when we were engaged," she said with a smile. "It's actually my grandparents' ring. They were married for 50 years. I never take it off, and when we were engaged, we used it."

Johnny Wactor and Ex-Fiancee Tessa Farrell Relationship Timeline

Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

Farrell made it clear that she will always have love for Johnny, but she explained why they decided to end their engagement. She mentioned that they felt the engagement was rushed, they were young, still healing from past experiences, and overall, they realized they were better off as friends.

Farrell also commended Johnny for getting sober after their breakup. She expressed her happiness about his sobriety, saying, "I was so glad that he achieved sobriety after we ended things." She mentioned guiding him to AA, where he remained for the rest of his life, staying sober and feeling proud.

Johnny celebrated six years of sobriety in June 2023.

“No alcohol or drugs for 6 years today,” he wrote via his Instagram Story at the time. “Life is better. Life is easier.”

Around the same time, Farrell mentioned that she decided to take a break from dating. She shared with FHM Canada in April 2023 that she had gone through various cliché experiences, such as an older man trying to impress her with a fancy car, a foreign man attempting to marry for a green card, and an alcoholic struggling actor causing more off-screen drama than on-screen. Despite a few more encounters, she preferred not to dwell on them and instead focused on avoiding the dating scene in LA, particularly during the production of Cinema Rebel.

Staying in Touch

Johnny Wactor and Ex-Fiancee Tessa Farrell Relationship Timeline

Courtesy of Tessa Farrell/Instagram

Staying Connected After the Breakup

"We stayed in touch after we broke up sometimes, and I got to see him kind of prepare for some of his scenes for General Hospital," Farrell shared in her May 2024 video. Johnny started playing Brando Corbin on General Hospital in 2020. However, he eventually left the show in 2022.

Despite staying friends for a while after their breakup, Farrell mentioned that she hadn't seen Johnny for a few years before his passing.

"We had to move on from our romantic relationship. Even as friends, he can be quite distracting," she mentioned with a smile. "I haven't been in touch with him because I've been busy working on my movie and he always distracted me. However, I did check his Facebook page and saw that he's been doing well."

Remembering Johnny

Farrell shared in a heartfelt video how Johnny will always hold a special place in her heart and how he motivated her to pursue a film project she had been passionate about.

"He was really focused on doing things the right way and working hard to achieve his goals. His guidance motivated me to create my film in a unique way that has not been released to the public yet. I wouldn't have been able to do it without his support," she shared.

Additionally, Farrell discussed how easily "human life" is disregarded in situations involving gun violence, like the tragic incident that took Johnny's life.

“We gotta support each other and come together. Maybe that’s what Johnny’s gift is for us. Maybe he’s gifting that to all of us,” she said.

Editor's P/S:

The untimely demise of Johnny Wactor****, a talented actor known for his role in "General Hospital," has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and beyond. His ex-fiancée, Tessa Farrell, has expressed her profound grief and shared poignant memories of their relationship.

Farrell's video tribute to Wactor highlights not only their intense love affair but also the challenges they faced, ultimately leading to their decision to end their engagement. Despite their separation, they remained connected, and Farrell credits Wactor's guidance and support for her own artistic endeavors. However, she also acknowledges the need to move on and focus on her own path.

Wactor's death serves as a stark reminder of the senseless violence that continues to plague our society. Farrell's plea for unity and support in the face of such tragedies echoes the sentiments of many who are deeply affected by the loss of innocent lives. By shedding light on the devastating consequences of gun violence, Farrell hopes to inspire a collective effort towards finding solutions and preventing future incidents.