Billy Miller - best known for his roles on some of TV's biggest soaps - has sadly died at the age of 43.
The entertainment industry is mourning the death of Miller, a Daytime Emmy-winning actor renowned for his roles in shows like The Young and the Restless and General Hospital.
Miller passed away on Friday in Austin, Texas, with the tragic news confirmed by his manager in a statement to Variety, coinciding with what would have been Miller's 44th birthday on today (Sunday, September 17).
"The actor was struggling with manic depression when he died," the statement revealed, throwing light on the inner turmoil that Miller was dealing with. No official cause of death has been given.
Born on September 17, 1979, in Grand Prairie, Texas, Miller faced challenges from a young age, including a battle with Tarsal coalition—a rare condition affecting the cartilage in his ankles.
Miller's entry into showbiz came when he was signed as a model with the prestigious Wilhelmina agency. He later transitioned to acting, landing a role as Richie Novak in the iconic soap opera All My Children from 2007 to 2008. His breakout role was yet to come, as he moved on to The Young and the Restless, stepping into the shoes of Billy Abbott for 719 episodes.
It was on this platform that Miller made an indelible mark, bagging three Daytime Emmys, including two for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and one for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
Miller exited the show in 2014 but was far from done, as he continued his acting journey on General Hospital - in which, he appeared in nearly 600 episodes.
In General Hospital, Miller portrayed both Jason Morgan and Drew Cain, maintaining a series regular spot until 2019. Post this, he diversified his acting portfolio with a five-episode stint on the legal drama Suits.
Apart from soap operas, Miller showcased his versatility through guest appearances on a slew of TV shows such as NCIS, The Rookie, Truth Be Told, Major Crimes, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Castle. His talents also extended to the big screen with roles in Clint Eastwood’s 2014 war drama American Sniper and Craig Brewer’s 2016 Urban Cowboy TV movie drama, co-starring Nathalie Kelley.
Miller leaves behind a grieving family that includes his mother Patricia, sister Megan, brother-in-law Ronnie, nephew Grayson, and niece Charley.
Our thoughts go out to Miller's family, friends, and fans at this time.