Ryan Phillippe as Billy Douglas in “One Life to Live.”
In a recent interview with People magazine, actor Ryan Phillippe revealed his initial apprehension about taking on the groundbreaking role of Billy Douglas in the early 1990s on the soap opera “One Life to Live.” Billy Douglas was a landmark character, marking the first openly gay teenager in daytime television history.
Phillippe, who played the role for a year, described the experience as “profound,” yet admitted to being “afraid” due to the societal climate of the time. He recalled that some people close to him even advised against accepting the part, reflecting a widespread fear surrounding LGBTQ+ representation.
“I think there were some fears associated with the point in time that we were at and it being before so many walls and ceilings have been broken in that regard,” Phillippe stated. However, any personal or external anxieties quickly dissipated once he witnessed the overwhelming positive response from viewers.
The feedback from “One Life to Live” fans was “almost instantaneous,” with mail pouring in from individuals who expressed, “I had never seen someone represent me in any entertainment before in my life.” Phillippe also received heartfelt letters from parents who shared that watching the show provided a crucial “way to connect with my LGBTQ child.”
The actor, only 17 years old at the time, recognized the immense importance of his role as the storyline progressed. “It was such a different time,” he reflected, emphasizing how the experience “very much matured” him and opened his eyes to the profound impact his work could have on others.
