'General Hospital' Stars Pay Tribute After Jay Pickett Dies On Movie Set At Age 60
The tributes continue to pour in after veteran soap opera actor Jay Pickett died at the age of 60.
The General Hospital star reportedly passed away in Idaho while filming his upcoming movie Treasure Valley, according to director Travis Mills.
"Jay Pickett, our leading man, writer, producer, and creator of this movie passed away suddenly while we were on location preparing to film a scene," Mills wrote on Facebook. "Our hearts are broken, and we grieve for his family who are so devastated by this shocking tragedy."
"He was doing what he loved: acting, riding horses, making movies. And he was magnificent," Mills wrote, adding that Pickett appears to have suffered "a heart attack" and everyone who was there did their best "to keep him alive."
Pickett's official cause of death has not been released.
Treasure Valley co-star Jim Heffel wrote on Facebook that he "lost a good friend and the world lost a great person," and that the actor died the "way of a true cowboy," while sitting on a horse.
According to Heffel, Pickett wrote the Treasure Valley story and acted as co-producer with Heffel and Vernon Walker.
Fans and famous friends took to social media to share tributes.
"The sudden passing of my pal Jay Pickett Is very sad . He loved acting and Westerns , and when we got together we laughed a lot . R.I.P. Jay . @GeneralHospital #Portcharles," General Hospital costar Kin Shriner tweeted.
"My heart goes out to the family and friends of Jay Pickett. If you knew him, you loved him. Words can’t describe… 😇🙏🏻," General Hospital costar Kelly Monaco shared on Instagram with a cowboy-themed graphic of Pickett captioned "See you soon cowboy! We love you and will miss you."
"A LOVELY man😢" fellow General Hospital star Michelle Stafford commented on Monaco's post.
Pickett's acting career began in the 1980s when he appeared on shows such as Rags to Riches and China Beach but went on to star in Days of Our Lives and General Hospital, which is what he became the most known for. Fans will also recognize Pickett from appearances in NCIS: Los Angeles, The Mentalist and films such as Inspired to Kill.
Pickett is survived by his wife Elena and their three children.
