Heartbreaking news for soap fans: Billy Miller passed away at the age of 43 on September 15, 2023. No other details have been made available about his passing, but his management issued a statement to Entertainment Weekly confirming the actor's death and saying that Miller had been "struggling with manic depression when he died."
To read reaction to Miller's death from the daytime community, click here.
Born on September 17, 1979, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas, he attended college at the University of Texas in Austin, where he earned a degree in communications. After leaving Texas, Miller moved to Los Angeles, where he got his break when he appeared in an episode of CSI: NY before landing the role of Richie Novak on All My Children, which he played from 2007 to 2008.
As Miller's star rose, he was cast as Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless in 2008. Miller would win three Daytime Emmys during his time on the CBS soap -- a Lead Actor win in 2014 and Supporting Actor wins in 2010 and2013.
In a statement on X, formerly known a Twitter, The Young and the Restless called Miller "a talented man with a heart of gold" who "will be sorely missed."
Billy Miller was a talented man with a heart of gold and always lit up the scene with amazing performances. He will be sorely missed. Our deepest sympathies to his family and all who loved him. ?????? pic.twitter.com/bNUwvaWMt2
— Young & The Restless (@YRInsider) September 17, 2023
After six years, he left the Y&R and moved to General Hospital, where he was recast as the infamous mob enforcer Jason Morgan. However, in 2014, Steve Burton returned to the role of Morgan, and Miller's character was revealed to be Jason's long-lost identical twin brother, Drew Cain. In 2018, Miller received his sixth Daytime Emmy nomination for his work on GH.
General Hospital 's executive producer, Frank Valentini, took to X to share, "I am devastated to hear news of the incredibly talented Billy Miller’s passing. On behalf of the entire General Hospita family, our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time."
I am devastated to hear news of the incredibly talented Billy Miller’s passing. On behalf of the entire @GeneralHospital family, our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.
— Frank Valentini (@valentinifrank) September 17, 2023
Upon exiting GH in 2019, the social media shy Miller shared a heartfelt letter to fans, “Hello friends, With a slight air of sadness, it is time to ponder what ‘Goodbye’ means. However, instead of dwelling on what is gone and sure to be missed, there is another way. Maybe our goodbye is really a remembrance of love felt, an appreciation for lives shared, and the lifelong reminisces that come from embraces given and received. Maybe our goodbye is an earnest hope for the brightest path forward for us all. Maybe our goodbye is honoring growth and lessons learned. Now, instead of sadness, I am filled with gratitude for all your support, encouragement, and every emotion shared. I cherish the journey we have taken together. Thank you for allowing me into your homes and lives. With every ounce of myself, I thank you for being you. I would be remiss in this crazy, unpredictable world we all love so much if I did not hold out the possibility that maybe our GOODBYE is really….. UNTIL NEXT TIME. All My Love.”
Miller continued to work in primetime television, playing Alex Dunn on Truth Be Told. He also appeared on episodes of Justified, The Rookie, and NCIS. He also starred alongside fellow daytime alum Sarah Michelle Gellar (ex-Kendall Hart, AMC) in the primetime drama Ringer.
Miller is survived by his mother, Patricia; sister, Megan; brother-in-law, Ronnie; nephew, Grayson; and niece, Charley.
Remembrances and tributes have been pouring in since the news of Miller's passing was first reported by soap journalist Michael Fairman. Soap Central has been compiling those messages and you can read them here.
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