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Jason Thompson Marks 10-Years as Billy Abbott on ‘The Young and the Restless’: ‘I’m Glad to Be Kickin’ It Still’

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: JPI

This week, January 14, 2026 was a milestone for Daytime Emmy winner, Jason Thompson. On that date 1o years earlier, Jason first appeared on The Young and the Restless as the recast Billy Abbott after leaving a very successful run on General Hospital as Dr. Patrick Drake, a role he also played for a decade.

As Y&R fans know, Thompson’s predecessor in the role was the late, great Billy Miller, who left the top-rated soap opera in late 2013 and who’s final scenes aired in January of 2014. Later that year, Miller debuted on General Hospital to play the role of then Jason Morgan, who was later to be revealed as Drew Cain. The three-time Daytime Emmy-winning star stayed with GH until 2019.

Now, taking to his Instagram in the last 24 hours, Thompson shared an appreciation video post to mark the 10 years as Billy, expressing, “For anyone that follows me because of my work on The Young and the Restless or the 10 years prior at General Hospital., you might know that this is my 10-year anniversary at The Young and the Restless. I just want to say how incredibly grateful I am to be a part of this amazing group. If I’m thinking back to the beginning, I never really would’ve dreamed that I would be this grateful and have this much appreciation for the show itself. The people I work with are incredible to: the cast crew, hair and makeup, our wardrobe, our production team, our  PR, our writers, obviously our producers, directors, and our executive team at The Young The Restless, and of course at Sony and CBS. They’re just all just incredible people.”

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Jason acknowledged all of his co-stars touching sentiments shared over the past few days about him and more, adding, “We can put on a great show, but if it doesn’t have a studio to pay for it and a network to air it on it, it kind of goes away.  I just have so much appreciation for all those people. They’re just fantastic people. And the cast that said nice things about me on my anniversary today. I take everything with a grain of salt, but that’s also just because, I know this business can be fleeting. I’m glad to be kickin’ it still. 10 years at Y&R feels awesome. It feels awesome to be a part of it all.”

THE FANS ARE EVERYTHING

Knowing that without the fans, soap opera’s (and what’s left of them) would not be on the air. However Jason noted Y&R’s enduring success at the top. “Most importantly to the fans that support our show, that watch, it’s literally not possible without you,” said Thompson. “There’s three plus million people that watch us five days a week, and that’s only in America, let alone Canada, Australia, France, everywhere. It’s just an incredible thing.”

Photo: JPI

BILLY ABBOTT … THE DISTURBER

Billy Abbott remains one of the best roles on daytime television, and Jason is fully aware of it, and adds, he still loves the guy even when they write his character in some very steely waters. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for watching our show, for supporting us, and for me personally, and just allowing me to play an amazing character that continues to grow and surprises me and he’s so fun to play,” continued Jason. “Billy Abbott is disturber sometimes, but I love him. I love his edge, I love everything about him., I’m so grateful to put that wardrobe on every day and step into his shoes. So thank you for the 10 years. And, here’s to 10, 20, 30, 40, 50. Why not? All the best. Thank you.”

You can watch Jason’s video message below.

Now below, share your congrats and well-wishes to Jason his 10-year run as Y&R’s Billy Abbott and let us know, so far, what has been your favorite romance or story involving Billy since Jason took over the role via the comment section.

 

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It’s kind of sad when the only thing notable of this historic show any more is that so and so has been on the show for 10, 20, 30, 40 years. Not anything related to the bad stories that are featured, rather the longevity of the actors on the show. Says a lot about the state of Y&R.

He’s so cute I just love him! Just get rid of Sally!

I can’t believe it’s been 10 years!!

What ya talking about?Sally is a terrific addition to Y&R.

Jason Thompson proved to be a successful recast from the start. How to follow Billy Miller who did so much with that role?! Mr. Thompson has a look that echoes the actors playing John and Jill Abbott so he has that, but he can act and has been engaged in some very compelling stories. Still, I do wish the writers would be kinder to Billy. I think now in his 40s Billy Boy – as Victor calls him – should be given some honest victories in business and a enjoy a period of stability. I hope with Johnny and Katie in their teen years, we may see Billy challenged as a father. And I do like seeing Billy paired with Sally Spectra. She is a strong match for him. I would like to see an adventure and more romance for these two.

Ten outstanding years, despite subpar writing. But he is an excellent actor and by far my favourite Billy Abbott.

When I was watching to me this is just my opinion the most chemistry he has had was with Gina .

General Hospital

Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

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Maura West and Kelly Sullivan

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.

The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.

Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST

Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”

Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”

Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI

KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”

You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.

So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!

 

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General Hospital

Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

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Steve Burton

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.

TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.

That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Steve Burton

Photo: ABC

STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES

GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.

Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).

Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.

GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS

Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.

Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.

Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.

So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027

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Jess Walton

The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!

Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.

The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”

Jess Walton

Photo; Kensington Books

CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE

The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds,  “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill AbbottTwo Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”

“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”

“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”

WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?

Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.

This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.

So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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