Did You Know? Jason Thompson Joined Y&R Thanks to Billy Miller!
It’s a massive milestone for The Young and the Restless, and an emotional one for longtime fans. Jason Thompson has officially marked 10 years as Billy Abbott, a role that carries enormous history, deep emotion, and a legacy forever tied to the late Billy Miller. But what many viewers never realized is that this decade-long journey may never have happened at all—if not for one quiet, powerful moment behind the scenes.
January 14 wasn’t just another anniversary. It was a reminder of how one conversation, one friendship, and one vote of confidence reshaped daytime television history.
Before arriving in Genoa City, Jason Thompson was already a soap icon in his own right. For more than a decade, he played Dr. Patrick Drake on General Hospital, becoming a fan favorite with a loyal following. So when news broke that Jason was leaving Port Charles, shockwaves rippled through the daytime world. What fans didn’t know was that Jason himself had no idea Billy Abbott was even part of the equation.
At first, Jason believed Y&R was courting him for an entirely new character. But once he learned the truth—that the role was Billy Abbott—everything changed. The nerves set in immediately. Billy wasn’t just a character. He was a phenomenon. And at the time, the man who made Billy unforgettable, Billy Miller, was standing right beside Jason… working with him every day.
That reality made the decision feel overwhelming.
Billy Miller hadn’t just played Billy Abbott—he defined him. Multiple Daytime Emmy wins cemented his version of Billy as legendary. Stepping into those shoes felt daunting, maybe even impossible. And Jason knew it. So he did the only thing that made sense. He went straight to Billy Miller.
Jason has since revealed that Billy didn’t sugarcoat anything. He asked directly if Jason was considering taking over the role. Jason was honest, admitting he wasn’t sure where his career was heading. Complicating matters even more, General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini had asked Jason to stay a little longer so Patrick Drake could receive a proper, heartfelt ending with Robin—a request Jason honored.
It was during that uncertain stretch that Billy Miller said something that would change everything.
He told Jason—clearly and sincerely—that if anyone was going to play Billy Abbott next, it should be him.
That moment stayed with Jason forever. Coming from anyone else, it might’ve felt encouraging. Coming from Billy Miller, it meant everything. It was permission. It was trust. And it was the final push Jason needed to take the leap.
Jason debuted as Billy Abbott in 2016, and over the next ten years, he transformed the role into something uniquely his own. He brought vulnerability, fire, and depth—earning three Daytime Emmy nominations and a win in 2020, during the unforgettable year when ceremonies went virtual and his Emmy was delivered straight to his home.
Now, looking back, Jason admits it’s hard to believe a decade has already passed. But knowing his journey began with Billy Miller’s blessing makes it all the more emotional.
It wasn’t just a casting change.
It was a legacy passed forward. 💔