Published: 7:29 p.m. PDT, September 18, 2023
The mother of soap opera star Billy Miller speaks out about her son’s death at the age of 43.
In a statement to Soap Opera Digest on Monday, Patricia Miller said the Daytime Emmy-winning star died after “a long, hard and brave battle with bipolar depression.”
Miller – best known for his roles on General Hospital and The Young and the Restless – died on Friday (ET confirmed this on Sunday – which would have marked his 44th birthday).
Miller’s family said that Miller died in Austin, Texas, and that “the actor was struggling with manic depression at the time of his death.”
“I would like to share the following thoughts,” Patricia began her statement on Monday. “I would like to personally thank the many fans and personal friends for the overwhelming amount of love, prayers and condolences that have been extended to me and my family on the devastating death of my beautiful son BJ – Billy Miller. He fought a long, hard, brave battle with Bipolar He suffered from depression for years. 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 battle and he gave up his life. The other causes of death mentioned are not true. I wish they were, but they just aren’t. We all loved him so much and are desperately trying to cope with our loss. I won’t have anything else to say. Thank you for the love and support.”
Miller’s career began as a model who was signed by Wilhelmina. In 2007 he had a role as Richie Novak in “All My Children”, where he remained until 2008. From 2008 to 2014, Miller played the lead role of Billy Abbott on “The Young and the Restless.” A role that earned him three Daytime Emmy Awards. After leaving The Young and the Restless in 2014, Miller played Jason Morgan and Drew Cain on General Hospital until 2019.
After leaving the soaps, Miller appeared in five episodes of the US drama Suits, playing Harvey Spector’s brother Marcus.
Following the news of Miller’s death, his daytime television co-stars took to social media to mourn the loss.
General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to mourn.
“I am devastated to hear the news of the passing of the incredibly talented Billy Miller. On behalf of the entire @GeneralHospital family, our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time,” he wrote.
For more tributes to Miller’s life on and off screen, click here.
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