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GENERAL HOSPITAL

Stars Remember GENERAL HOSPITAL and PORT CHARLES’ Jay Pickett

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The daytime community was rocked when Jay Pickett died suddenly on July 30 at the age of 60. The actor — known for his roles as PORT CHARLES’ Frank Scanlon, GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Det. David Harper, and DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ Dr. Chip Lakin — reportedly suffered a heart attack and died while preparing to film a scene on his latest movie, a Western titled Treasure Valley, in Idaho.

Pickett, who was raised in Idaho, began his acting career in the 1980s after graduating from UCLA with a master’s degree in theatre arts, appearing on shows like CHINA BEACH, MR. BELVEDERE, and RAGS TO RICHES. His daytime debut came in 1991 when DAYS tapped the actor for the short-term role of Chip. He went on to originate the role of paramedic Frank Scanlon on the GH spin-off series PORT CHARLES from 1997-2003. Pickett would later fill in for Ted King as Lorenzo Alcazar on GH in 2006 before returning to the soap the following year as David, a detective investigating the Mob war between the Corinthos and Zacchara families.

Among his four daytime runs, Pickett was best known for his time on PC, having played Frank for the show’s entire six-year run. Generally speaking, the character was one of the good guys in town, having persevered through nearly dying, drug addiction, mental illness caused by a cursed candle, time travel, and the town’s vampire invasion.

Pickett is survived by his wife, Elena, and their three children, Meagan, Michaela, and Tyler. Please join us in sending our condolences to Pickett’s friends and loved ones, and then scroll through the gallery below to read heartfelt tributes to the beloved actor from those who worked by his side in Port Charles.

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