Jay Pickett, ‘Port Charles’ and ‘General Hospital’ actor, dies at 60

Jay Pickett, an actor and producer known for his roles on “Port Charles” and “General Hospital,” died Friday on the set of his upcoming film, Pickett’s agent confirmed to Variety. He was 60.

The official Facebook page of “Treasure Valley” — in which Pickett starred and served as a producer and writer — announced Pickett’s death on Sunday, writing that Pickett died suddenly while preparing to film a scene on location in Idaho.

“There is no official explanation for the cause of his death but it appears to have been a heart attack,” the film’s director, Travis Mills, wrote in the post. “Everyone present tried as hard as they could to keep him alive. Our hearts are broken and we grieve for his family who are so devastated by this shocking tragedy.”

Born on Feb. 10, 1961 in Spokane, Wash., Pickett began his acting career in the late ’80s with appearances in television series like “Rags to Riches” and “China Beach.” He scored his big break in 1991 by landing the role of Dr. Chip Lakin on the soap opera “Days of Our Lives,” and went on to appear in 34 episodes of the series.

Pickett continued to build his career in the soap opera world, starring as Frank Scanlon on the “General Hospital” spin-off series “Port Charles” from 1997 to 2003. Pickett then starred on “General Hospital” itself, subbing in as Lorenzo Alcazar in 2006 and then returning in 2007 as Detective David Harper. Pickett also guest starred on shows like “Dexter,” “Queen Sugar,” “Desperate Housewives” and “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and wrote, produced and starred in the 2012 feature “Soda Springs.”

“As so many of us know, Jay was an incredible man. He was kind, sweet, and generous,” Mills wrote. “He was one of the best actors I ever worked with and it was an honor to collaborate with him. Everyone who met him, even for the briefest moment, could feel his warmth, his wonderful spirit. It is difficult to find the words right now to say more. His closest friends have said that he was very happy making Treasure Valley and my hope is that he truly was. He was doing what he loved: acting, riding horses, making movies. And he was magnificent.”

Pickett is survived by his wife, Elena, and their three children.

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