Jay Pickett is a prolific and accomplished actor, producer and writer who has worked on numerous theatre productions, films and television shows.
He is best known for his roles as Frank Scanlon II on “Port Charles,” Detective David Harper on “General Hospital,” and Sheriff Cody McCall on “Soda Springs.”
He was also a co-writer and co-producer of Treasure Valley, a film he was filming at the time but sadly passed away in 2021.
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- Full name: Jay H. Pickett
- Date of Birth: February 10, 1961
- Age: 62
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: Spokane, Washington, USA
- Country: United States
- Occupation: Actor, producer, writer
- Height: 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
- Parents: Richard Pickett and Joyce Pickett
- Siblings: 4
- Spouse: Elena Mary Bates (m. 1986)
- Children: Megan, Michaela and Tyler Pickett
- Marital status: Married
- Net worth: $5 million
Early life and education
Jay Pickett was born on February 10, 1961, in Spokane, Washington, to Richard and Joyce Pickett. He would have been 62 years old in 2023. He grew up in Caldwell, Idaho, with four siblings: Dee, Rich, Ginna, and Jan.
He developed a keen interest in acting and sports and attended Valley View High School, where he actively participated in drama, football, and wrestling.
He graduated in 1979 and attended Boise State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in acting in 1982.
He then moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue his acting career and further his education. He attended UCLA and received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting in 1986.
Personal life
Jay Pickett married fellow actress and producer Elena Marie Bates in 1986. They met and fell in love while studying at UCLA.
They have three children: Megan, Michaela and Tyler, and live on a ranch in Moorpark, California, where they keep horses and dogs.
Jay Pickett is a devoted husband and father who enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He is also an accomplished horseman and Dallas Cowboys fan.
He was a devout Christian who attended Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch, California.
Profession
Jay Pickett began his acting career in the mid-1980s, appearing in theatre productions such as Rain Man, The Cherry Orchard and The Lion in Winter.
He made his film debut in 1988, playing a small role in the horror comedy Rush Week.
He then appeared in several television shows such as Matlock, China Beach, Mr. Belvedere and Jack and the Fatso.
He also starred in the 1990 horror film Rumpelstiltskin, playing the lead character Russell Stewart.
In 1991, he got his first major television role as Dr. Chip Lakin on the hit soap opera Days of Our Lives. He stayed on the show for two years until 1993.
In 1997, he appeared in another soap opera, Port Charles, playing Frank Scanlon Jr., a paramedic who later became a doctor.
He was one of the original cast members of the show, which was a spinoff of General Hospital. He remained with the Port Charles troupe until its cancellation in 2003. He received two Soap Opera Digest Award nominations for his work on the show.
In 2006, he returned to General Hospital as Detective David Harper, a recurring role. He also appeared in several other TV series such as NCIS, Dexter, Queen Sugar, and True Detective.
He has also dabbled in filmmaking and writing, co-producing and co-writing the 2012 feature film Soda Springs, in which he played Sheriff Cody McCall.
He also co-wrote and co-produced the Western Treasure Valley, a film he was shooting near the end of his life, in which he played the title character, Jack Braun, a rancher who discovers a mysterious treasure on his land.
die
Jay Pickett died of a heart attack on July 30, 2021 at the age of 60. He was preparing to shoot a scene in the Treasure Valley near Orena, Idaho, when he collapsed.
His co-stars and crew surrounded him and tried to revive him, but to no avail. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His friend and co-producer Jim Heffer announced his death and paid tribute to him on Facebook. He wrote: “In the movie Treasure Valley Idaho, Jay died while sitting on a horse, getting ready to lasso a bull. That’s the true cowboy way.” His wife Elena also confirmed his death and thanked everyone for their love and support.
She wrote,Many of you have heard about the tragedy that happened two days ago. Our husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son, Jay Pickett, unexpectedly passed away. When Jay died, he was doing what he loved, acting, riding horses, making movies. He was great.”
Social Media
Jay Pickett has the following social media accounts:
- Instagram account: @jaypickett
- Twitter: @jaypickett
Filmography
- Peak Week
- Matlock
- China Beach
- Mr. Belvedere
- Jack and Fatty
- Rumpelstiltskin
- Perry Mason: The defamed gangster case
- Our life
- Dr. Quinn
- Perry Mason Mysteries: The Case of the Frowning Governor
- Abandoned and deceived
