Jay Harris Pickett (February 10, 1961 – July 30, 2021) was an American actor.

Jay Pickett
Pickett in 2015
Born
Jay Harris Pickett

(1961-02-10)February 10, 1961
DiedJuly 30, 2021(2021-07-30) (aged 60)
near Oreana, Idaho, U.S.
EducationBoise State University (BA)
University of California, Los Angeles (MFA)
Years active1987–2021
Spouse
Elena Bates
(m. 1986)
Children3

Early life and education

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Pickett was born in Spokane, Washington, and grew up in Caldwell, Idaho. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in acting at Boise State University and his Master of Fine Arts in acting from the University of California, Los Angeles and appeared in numerous theatrical productions at both schools.

Career

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Pickett's television appearances include in the miniseries Rags to Riches, and roles on such series as China Beach, Mr. Belvedere, Dragnet, Jake and The Fatman, Days of Our Lives, Perry Mason, and Matlock.

In 1997, Pickett originated the role of Frank Scanlon, a dedicated paramedic and substitute teacher and the complicated older brother of Joe Scanlon, on the ABC Daytime drama Port Charles. In 2006, Pickett substituted for actor Ted King in the role of Lorenzo Alcazar on the soap opera General Hospital, the parent series of Port Charles. In 2007, Pickett rejoined the cast of General Hospital in the recurring role of Detective David Harper.

He enjoyed most sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and skiing. He was also an expert roper and western horse rider.

Personal life

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Pickett and his wife, Elena, resided in California and had three children. He was best friends with former Port Charles co-star Michael Dietz and was godfather to his daughter, Madison.[1]

Pickett died unexpectedly from a heart attack while preparing to film a scene for the film Treasure Valley directed by Travis Mills on a set near Oreana, Idaho, on July 30, 2021, aged 60.[2][3][4][5]

Filmography

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Films

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Year Title Role Notes
1989 Rush Week Parker
1991 Eve of Destruction Man in Jeep
1995 Rumpelstiltskin Russell Stewart
2008 Boston Strangler: The Untold Story Detective Donovan
2009 Drifter: Henry Lee Lucas Officer Dollinger
2009 Bundy: A Legacy of Evil Ross Davis
2009 The Real Deal Grant Mussendon
2010 Abandoned Detective Franklin
2012 Soda Springs Eden
2012 Unstable Eric
2014 The Real Deal Grant Mussendon
2014 A Matter of Faith Stephen Whitaker
2018 The Work Wife Therapist
2020 A Soldier's Revenge Kennedy
2021 Catch the Bullet Britt
2021 Last Shoot Out Twigs
2021 Heart of the Gun John White

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1987 Rags to Riches Alex Leskov Episode: "Russian Holiday"
1988 China Beach Filmore Cross Episode: "Waiting for Beckett"
1989 Guts and Glory: The Rise and Fall of Oliver North Radio Operator Television film
1989 Mr. Belvedere Keith Elliot Episode: "Homecoming"
1990 Dragnet Martin Helms Episode: "Little Miss Nobody"
1991 Jake and the Fatman Johnny Burgess Episode: "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off"
1991 Matlock Gary Andler 2 episodes
1991–1992 Days of Our Lives Dr. Chip Lakin 34 episodes
1996 Hot Line J.M. Episode: "The Gardener"
1997–2003 Port Charles Frank Scanlon 762 episodes
2005 Landslide Stewart Hancock Television film
2006–2008 General Hospital David Harper / Lorenzo Alcazar 61 episodes
2007 Saving Grace Eddie Episode: "Would You Want Me to Tell You?"
2008 Dexter Warren Episode: "All in the Family"
2009 Desperate Housewives Man Episode: "If It's Only in Your Head"
2011 The Perfect Student John Television film
2012 The Mentalist Cuffed Lawyer Episode: "War of the Roses"
2015 NCIS: Los Angeles Navy Commander Tom Harris Episode: "In the Line of Duty"
2015 Kidnapped: The Hannah Anderson Story Agent McKinnon Television film
2015 16 and Missing Lucas
2016 Inspired to Kill Professor Cross
2017 Rosewood Lukas Nilsson Episode: "Asphyxiation & Aces"
2017 A Woman Deceived Travis Television film
2018 Queen Sugar Attorney Flynn Daniels Episode: "Your Passages Have Been Paid"
2019 Anniversary Nightmare Bill Television film

References

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  1. ^ "SoapZone: General Hospital News & Gossip". SoapZone.com. Retrieved Aug 1, 2021.
  2. ^ "Veteran Soap Star Jay Pickett Has Passed Away At The Age Of 60". Soap Hub. July 31, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  3. ^ "Jay Pickett, 'Port Charles' and 'General Hospital' Actor, Dies at 60". Variety. August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  4. ^ Medina, Eduardo; Paybarah, Azi (August 2, 2021). "Jay Pickett, Veteran Soap Opera Actor, Dies at 60". The New York Times.
  5. ^ "Jay Pickett: US actor dies on set of Western film". BBC News. 2021-08-02. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
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