Some people can etch a lasting impression on your mind, even if they appear on the screen for a lesser time. Billy Miller was one such actor who could enthrall the viewers with his dashing looks, charming personality, and heart-melting smile.
Imagine playing the estranged brother to the handsome and confident Harvey Specter and still managing to overshadow him in the scene. Such was the charm of Billy Miller.
He followed his passion for acting right after he graduated from the University of Texas. Starting as a model and appearing in minor roles, he earned his first breakthrough role with The Young and The Restless. With his portrayal of the beloved character Billy Abbott, he won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. With his six years on the show, he earned three Daytime Emmys.
Miller then became a household name with his role in the General Hospital. His versatility was reflected in his roles in the Suits, American Sniper, Ray Donovan, Truth Be Told, and Ringer.
In an archive interview with the Soap Opera Digest, Miller shared anecdotes about him pursuing acting–
“My parents didn’t go to college, and it was hard enough for them to swallow that I’d gone from trying to get a real degree [in business] to film.”
“My dad had a mini-heart attack but came around — and now he’s a big Texas guy who watched daytime TV!”
Besides acting, his love for food was impeccable, as he owned restaurants and eateries all over LA. He knew how to cater to people and spread cheer. His close friends and colleagues described him as congenial, jovial, and easy to gel with.
But no one could have guessed that behind the beautiful smile, Miller was battling his own mind.
On September 15, it was announced that Billy Miller had passed away at 43, just two days before he would turn 44. Some reports suggested that he was suffering from PSP, which might have triggered his mental well-being. However, his mother, Patricia Miller, has set the record straight, stating that Billy Miller died by su*c*de after his prolonged battle with Bipolar disorder.
There are no verified reports on whether or not Miller was diagnosed with PSP or the disease directly impacted his mental health. However, for your information, Progressive supranuclear palsy is a neurodegenerative disorder where research has shown that it might cause changes in mood and behavior.
What Is PSP Disease?
Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome is a name given to the disease, derived from the three Canadian physicians who first introduced the condition in 1963. Widely known as PSP, here’s a breakdown of the disease:
- Progressive– gradual worsening
- Supranuclear– above the nuclei of the brain
- Palsy– paralysis
The root cause of the disease is the increasing number of brain cells getting damaged as the person ages. This happens because of the build-up of a protein called “Tau.”
Ideally, this protein should break down before it reaches high levels. However, the Tau protein does not break in a standard amount for PSP patients, leading to harmful clumps in the brain cells and eventually damaging them.
What Are the Symptoms of PSP?
As mentioned earlier, PSP affects the part above the nuclei of the brain, which is responsible for eye movements and vision. More symptoms of PSP include:
- Problems in balancing.
- Difficulty in bodily movements.
- Speech impediment.
- Experience discomfort while swallowing.
- Drastic changes in mood and behavior.
- Other symptoms, such as dementia, visual disturbance, and urinary incontinence, are also observed in the patient.
The primary issue with PSP disease is that it is a rare neurological condition with only around 4,000 active cases recorded in the US. Moreover, there is no cure determined of the illness yet. Patients are given treatment based on which symptom is affecting them more.
Billy Miller’s Cause of Death Explained
One of the impacts of PSP disease is said to be mood swings. Meanwhile, Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness causing extreme shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration.
Miller was reportedly diagnosed with BPD. However, there are no definitive reports suggesting that the two conditions are co-related in his case.
Miller’s mother, Patricia, has issued a statement regarding the cause of her son’s death to Soap Opera Digest-
“I want to personally thank the many fans and personal friends for the overwhelming amount of love, prayers and 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.”
She further clarified the alleged reports–
“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. I will have nothing further to say. Thanks for the love and support.”
Regardless of the cause, we mourn the loss of a beloved actor, and so does the industry, including his colleagues, friends, family, and fans.
Do you think PSP was the root cause of his mental health issues? Are the alleged reports intrusive to the family who came out with a statement of how their son died?
Let us know in the comments section below.
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