Pickett, who wrote, produced and was starring in the film Treasure Valley, was on set in Idaho, on the seventh day of filming that movie, when he died. No official cause of death has been released. According to Treasure Valley director Travis Mills, Pickett became sick when he was getting ready to shoot near Oreana, Idaho. As Mills shared, Pickett was sitting on a horse ready to shoot a scene when he suddenly slumped over. Minutes later paramedics arrived, but Pickett was declared dead at the scene. Mills wrote on the Treasure ValleyFacebook page: “Many of you have already heard about the tragedy that happened two days ago. 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. There is no official explanation for the cause of his 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.” Actor Jim Heffel, who was co-starring in the film wrote on his Facebook page: “Jay died sitting on a horse ready to rope a steer in the movie Treasure Valley in Idaho. The way of a true cowboy. Jay wrote the story and starred in it. He was also coproducer with myself and Vernon Walker.” Heffel added, “I lost a good friend and the world lost a great person. Jay Pickett decided to ride off into the Heavens. He will be truly missed. Ride like the wind partner.” One of five children, Pickett was born in Spokane, Washington and raised in Caldwell, Idaho. After earning a degree in theater at Boise State University, he got a master’s degree in theater from the University of California, Los Angeles. Ever talented, Pickett was in rodeos and was also a quarterback for his college football team. By the time he was in his twenties, he landed TV roles in the shows China Beach and Mr. Belvedere. In the early 1990s, he began starring in soap operas, playing Dr. Chip Lakin in Days of our Lives. In 1997, he originated the role of Frank Scanlon on Port Charles. Then in 2006, he began work on General Hospital, ultimately playing Detective David Harper. The beloved actor also guest starred in NCIS: Los Angeles, Dexter, Queen Sugar, Desperate Housewives and many other films and TV shows. Pickett is survived by his wife, Elena and their three children: Maegan, Michaela and Tyler. “As so many of us know, Jay was an incredible man. He was kind, sweet, and generous. He was one of the best actors I ever worked with and it was an honor to collaborate with him. Everyone who met him, even for the briefest moment, could feel his warmth, his wonderful spirit,” added Mills. “It is difficult to find the words right now to say more. His closest friends have said that he was very happy making Treasure Valley and my hope is that he truly was. He was doing what he loved: acting, riding horses, making movies. And he was magnificent.” Next, Sad Movies to Watch on Netflix Right Now
