Soap opera actor Billy Miller’s family have spoken out after his shock death aged 43.
The US performer, known for his roles on The Young and the Restless and General Hospital, died on Friday in Texas, just two days shy of his 44th birthday.
Miller’s devastated mother, Patricia, released a statement to Soap Opera Digest on Wednesday thanking fans for their support in the wake of the tragic news.
She also confirmed Miller’s cause of death was suicide, in a bid to stop media outlets speculating.
“I want to personally thank the many fans & personal friends for the overwhelming amount of love, prayers & condolences sent to me and my family on the devastating death of my beautiful son BJ — Billy Miller,” Patricia began.
“He fought a long hard valiant battle with bipolar 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 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.”
She concluded: “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, a three-time daytime Emmy winner for his work as Billy Abbott in The Young and the Restless, started his career in 2007 on the ABC series All My Children, of which he starred in nearly 130 episodes.
He went on to have several roles in television, including on USA Network’s hit legal drama Suits, in which he starred as the brother of Harvey Specter, who was played by Gabriel Macht.
Macht, 51, paid tribute to Miller on social media, honouring his “authentic approach” to acting and his “kind nature”.
Elsewhere, Miller’s General Hospital co-star Risa Dorken wrote, “My heart goes out to him, and everyone who loves him – he is loved by so many. ️Warm, kind, incredibly talented . a big hug to the daytime family. Rest in peace & happy heavenly birthday Billy.”
Miller’s last role was in one episode of NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service last year.
Prior to that, he featured in one episode of TV show The Rookie in 2021, and starred in 10 episodes of AppleTV+’s Truth Be Told from 2019 until 2021.
He is survived by his mother, Patricia, sister Megan, brother-in-law Ronnie, nephew Grayson and niece Charley.
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