Brad Everett Young left an indelible imprint on the hearts of the people in Port Charles. Following the tragic car accident in Los Angeles that claimed the life of the 46-year-old on September 14, numerous members of the "General Hospital" cast paid heartfelt tributes to the actor-turned-celebrity photographer, who had forged deep connections with them beyond the set.
"I'm utterly stunned," Chris McKenna, who portrays Jack Brennan on the beloved soap opera, penned on X—formerly known as Twitter—on September 17. "We just collaborated on a shoot a couple of weeks ago, and we exchanged texts this past weekend." Sharing several photos that Young had captured of him on social media, McKenna continued, "Brad was an immensely talented, hilarious, warm, and compassionate individual. He generously donated his time and skills, raising funds for underprivileged schools, and the world feels dimmer today without his radiant presence. Rest peacefully, my friend."
Hailing from Virginia, Young embarked on his acting journey in the late '90s, securing minor roles on television series such as "Boy Meets World" and "Grey's Anatomy," as well as in films like "Charlie's Angels" and "Jurassic Park III." Although he never graced the screen of "General Hospital" himself, he became the go-to photographer for several cast members and other actors. Similar to McKenna, some participated in Young's photo sessions for his "Dream Loud" campaign, which strives to reintroduce music and arts programs into schools.
One such admirer, "General Hospital" alum Jen Lilley, expressed that she "awoke in a state of shock and disbelief" upon hearing about Young's passing. Dubbing Young as "one of my dearest friends," she shared on her Instagram on September 17 that he was "so much more than everyone's favorite celebrity photographer." Lilley recounted one of her cherished memories with him, recalling how Young would jest that if he ever penned a tell-all book, "he'd coerce me into co-writing it. He always made me laugh, was the sole photographer I ever fully trusted and felt completely at ease in front of."
"We'd spend hours hanging out, discussing life and the rollercoaster of our crazy industry," she continued. "We'd indulge in pie and cake, reminiscing about our Virginia roots. You cherished your mom and brother more than anything. I'm at a loss for words to describe all that I'm feeling. And I know it will take some time before I fully grasp that you're gone."
Similarly, Parry Shen, who portrays Brad Cooper on "General Hospital," hailed Young as "one of the kindest and most generous people" he had ever encountered. "But the one trait that truly set him apart in this often cynical industry was his unwavering positivity," he wrote on his Facebook on September 17. "He was always striving to improve the situation, working on solutions rather than dwelling on the negatives."
According to Shen, Young's generosity extended into his professional life as well. "He adamantly refused payment whenever he photographed me," he revealed, "was present to assist with event setups, and simply wanted to help promote my career and those of others. His enthusiasm when pitching fun photo ideas was infectious."
The soap star deemed Young's passing a "colossal, colossal loss," adding, "To those who had the pleasure of meeting him at our events, you understand. Rest in peace, friend."
