Two months since the passing of Billy Miller (“All My Children,” “General Hospital” and “The Young and the Restless”), the late actor’s family and friends have set up a permanent scholarship endowment at the University of Texas at Austin to help radio/television and film undergraduate students with financial need.
Born William John Miller II, Billy was an avid movie buff, earning his bachelor’s degree in radio and television in 2002 at the University of Texas at Austin. He passed away in September, surrendering his life to bipolar depression, which he struggled with his whole life. The three-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning actor was just 43 years old.
“I hope BJ is remembered for the kind-hearted, silly, funny, goofy, generous, beautiful soul that he was,” said Miller’s sister, Megan Hubbell. “His megawatt smile, deep belly laugh and gorgeous mug were gifts on screen, but his true self was a bright light that will be carried with us forever.”
The William John Miller II “Billy Miller” Memorial Scholarship raises funds in the late actor’s honor while paying tribute to his legacy of life and love of acting. He is said to have had a secret passion for acting after beginning a love affair with movies starting in the 1980s, specifically after seeing his first film in theaters, “E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial.”
Photo by Lisette M. Azar/CBS
Miller, who first made a name for himself in daytime playing Richie Novak on “All My Children,” went on to receive five Daytime Emmy Award Award nominations for his portrayal of Billy Abbott on “The Young and the Restless,” ultimately taking home three statues including two for Supporting Actor (2010, 2013) and one for Lead Actor (2014). After concluding his time on “The Young and the Restless,” Miller joined “General Hospital” in late 2014, first as Jason Morgan and then sometime later as Drew Cain when it was revealed that Drew was actually Jason’s twin brother.
“We want something positive to be held in his name in perpetuity through the University he loved,” Hubbell said. “He would be honored to know that even in death, he can help someone else realize their dreams.”
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas, Miller was one of just 20 students accepted into the University of Texas at Austin’s prestigious production sequence program in radio/television and film. He originally joined the school in the zoology program before switching. UT was reportedly Miller’s first choice, even though he had several options presented to him post-high school.
Photo by Lisette M. Azar/CBS
“I always admired the guts it took to go after a dream in Hollywood that so many people tried to discourage,” Hubbell said of her brother’s storied career, which included appearances in such shows as “Suits,” “Ray Donovan,” “Castle” and “NCIS,” among others. “He heard, ‘You’ll never make it’ more times than I care to count, but he used those comments as fuel and said, ‘Watch me.’”
In a statement released a few days after his passing, Miller’s mother, Patricia Miller, said, “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. 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.”
“BJ would want anyone struggling with intrusive thoughts to seek professional help,” said Hubbell, encouraging people to take stock of their mental health. “Do not suffer in silence or try to muscle through on your own. Mental health is vitally important and shouldn’t be spoken about in silos behind closed doors but rather in open forums with open arms. Shame has no place in the discussion to seek help.”
Click here to donate to the William John Miller II “Billy Miller” Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship helps radio/television and film undergraduates in memory of William “Billy” John Miller II. Donation amounts can be customized and given one-time, monthly, or annually.