Billy Miller.Photo:Leon Bennett/FilmMagic

Emmy Winner Billy Miller Dead at 43

Leon Bennett/FilmMagic

The Young and the Restlessis paying tribute to alumBilly Millerafterhis sudden death.

Miller, who portrayed the role of Billy Abbott from 2008 to 2014, was honored with a montage featuring his greatest moments on the series towards the end of Thursday’s episode.

The longstanding daytime soap closed with a black-and-white photo of the late actor and text that read, “1979-2023.”

The official Young and the Restless account latershared the tribute on X(formerly known as Twitter) and wrote beside the touching video, “To end today’s episode we paid tribute to a greatly missed member of the Y&R family. Billy Miller will forever be in our hearts.”

In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Sept. 17, Miller’s manager confirmed thatthe soap opera star diedtwo days earlier in Austin, Texas. He was 43.

Though no specific cause of death was cited, his manager revealed that he was “struggling with manic depression when he died."

Billy Miller in ‘Young and the Restless’.Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty

Emmy Winner Billy Miller Dead at 43

Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty

“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,” she said in a statement toSoap Opera Digest. “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,” she continued. “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,” Patricia concluded. “I will have nothing further to say. Thanks for the love and support.”

Miller, who would have turned 44 shortly after his death, began his career onAll My Childrenin 2007. His time as Billy Abbott onThe Young and the Restlessled to three Daytime Emmy Awards wins for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series in 2010 and 2013, as well as outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 2014. He stepped away from the role in 2014.

He then starred onGeneral Hospital, playing Jason Morgan for two years while the character’s previous portrayerSteve Burtonwas off-screen. He ended hisGHrun as Jason’s twin brother Drew Cain.

Billy Miller attends MOCA NEW 30th Anniversary Gala at MOCA on November 14, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.MARK WOODWORTH/Patrick McMullan via Getty

Billy Miller

MARK WOODWORTH/Patrick McMullan via Getty

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Two days after his death, Miller’s formerAll My ChildrencostarChrishell Stausepaid tributeto the late actor on what would have been his 44th birthday on Instagram.

Alongside a snap of Miller giving her a kiss on the cheek on a red carpet and a photo of him with the words, “Billy Miller 1979-2023,” written over the top, theSelling Sunsetstar shared that she was still “processing” the news of his passing.

“Too many feelings, but you are gone too soon and I’m so happy I got to work with you all those years, but also call you a friend. I hope you are at peace now 💔🙏," Stause added.

source: people.com