Billy Miller, the Daytime Emmy-winning actor from “The Young and the Restless” and “General Hospital,” died on Friday in Austin, Texas. He was 43.
Miller’s manager confirmed the news to PvNew in a statement on Sunday, which would’ve marked the actor’s 44th birthday.
“The actor was struggling with manic depression when he died,” the statement read.
Miller’s mother Patricia released a statement via her son’s manager, who posted the message on X (formerly known as Twitter). She began by thanking fans and friends for the “overwhelming amount of love, prayers [and] condolences sent to me and my family” following her son’s passing.
“He fought a long hard valiant battle with bipolar depression for years,” Patricia Miller’s statement read. “He did everything he could to control the disease. He loved his family, his friends and his fans but in the end the disease won the fight and he surrendered his life. The other causes of death being told are not true. I wish they were but they just aren’t. We all loved him so much and are desperately trying to deal with our loss. I will have nothing further to say. Thanks for the love and support.”
Miller was born on Sept. 17, 1979, and grew up in Grand Prairie, Texas. Throughout his childhood, he battled with tarsal coalition, a rare condition that affected the cartilage in his ankles.
His break into the entertainment industry came when he was signed as a model to Wilhelmina, and later went on to play Richie Novak from 2007 to 2008 in the soap opera “All My Children.” Miller then moved over to “The Young and the Restless” to take over the role of Billy Abbott.
Miller’s role on “The Young and the Restless” landed him three Daytime Emmys, including two for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series and outstanding lead actor in a drama series. He exited the soap in 2014 and joined “General Hospital.”
Miller played the roles of Jason Morgan and Drew Cain on “General Hospital,” starring as a series regular until 2019 and then joining “Suits” for five episodes.
His additional credits include appearances on “NCIS,” “The Rookie,” “Truth Be Told,” “Major Crimes,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Castle” and “Enormous.” He was also featured in Clint Eastwood’s 2014 war drama “American Sniper” and Craig Brewer’s 2016 “Urban Cowboy” TV movie drama, which starred Nathalie Kelley.
Miller is survived by his mother Patricia, sister Megan, brother-in-law Ronnie, nephew Grayson and niece Charley.
