Actor Jay Pickett of ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ fame dies shooting western

Veteran soap opera actor Jay Pickett died Friday in his home state of Idaho while filming a movie, multiple media outlets reported.

Pickett, who had memorable runs on such daytime soap operas as “Days of our Lives,” “Port Charles” and “General Hospital,” was 60, NBC News reported.

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“I lost a good friend and the world lost a great person,” Jim Heffel, Pickett’s co-star and fellow producer on the film “Treasure Valley,” wrote on Facebook, confirming the actor’s death.

“Jay Pickett decided to ride off into the Heavens. Jay died sitting on a horse ready to rope a steer in the movie Treasure Valley in Idaho. The way of a true cowboy,” Heffel wrote.

Meanwhile, “Treasure Valley” director Travis Mills shared Sunday on the social media platform that “there is no official explanation for the cause of (Pickett’s) death, but it appears to have been a heart attack. 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.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Pickett was born Feb. 10, 1961, in Spokane, Washington, but was raised in Caldwell, Idaho, and attended both Boise State University and the University of California, Los Angeles before pursuing his acting career.

Pickett landed appearances on a bevy of ‘80s shows such as “China Beach,” “Mr. Belvedere,” “Jake and the Fatman” and “Matlock,” before landing a one-year role as Dr. Chip Lakin on “Days of our Lives” in 1991, THR reported.

He also portrayed paramedic and substitute teacher Frank Scanlon on “Port Charles” for six years and spent one year playing detective David Harper on “General Hospital.” More recent television roles included guest appearances on “Dexter,” “The Mentalist,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Rosewood” and “Queen Sugar,” the outlet reported.

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

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