Don Diamont has spent four decades in daytime television, but his road to becoming Bill Spencer on The Bold and the Beautiful wasn’t exactly smooth.
During an appearance on the Soapy podcast with Rebecca Budig (Taylor, B&B) and Greg Rikaart (Leo, Days of Our Lives), Diamont opened up about some of the toughest moments of his career—including being fired from both Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless.
And as it turns out, one of those firings eventually led to the role that changed everything.
Key Takeaways
- Don Diamont was fired from Days of Our Lives early in his career.
- He was later let go from Y&R after 24 years.
- Brad Bell created Bill Spencer Jr. for Diamont.
- Heather Tom secretly texted Bell that she wanted to work with him.
His First Day on Days of Our Lives Was Rough
Long before he was a household name, a young Don Diamont got his start in Salem as Carlo Forenza on Days of Our Lives. But his daytime debut almost ended before it even truly began.
Recalling his very first day on set, Diamont admitted he was completely frozen with nerves:
“My first day on set, my character was being introduced at a party scene. So, all the stars of the show were on the set and I was very nervous.”
His performance caught the immediate attention of executive producer Al Rabin, who stopped production in front of the entire cast and crew to deliver a brutal wake-up call.
“I walk in and I say whatever my lines are and they stop tape. Al comes out of the booth onto the set, calls me off the set in front of all the other actors, and said, ‘I can take an actor who’s nervous, but I can’t take an actor without energy. Now, get it together!’”
The confrontation was a trial by fire. Reflecting on the rough start, Diamont admitted, “So, we didn’t exactly start off on the right foot.”
Months later, he was let go from the show. Looking back, he has learned so much from the experience.
He recalls, “Bill had seen me on days unbeknownst to me, and he called my agent and asked me to come in, test and then the rest is history.”
Then Bill Bell Came Calling
After moving past his early days in Salem, Diamont became a major fan favorite playing Brad Carlton on The Young and the Restless. But after decades on the show, lightning struck a second time when he was unexpectedly let go.
“That was the day before Thanksgiving. Literally after 24 years,” he said.
After that meeting, a moment came that would change his life. “I walked down the hall, went to up to reception, and I said, ‘Hey, does Brad still happen to be here?’ He said, ‘Yeah, he is,’ they said, ‘Would you tell him Don Diamont’s here? Talk to him for a couple minutes if he has time for me.’ And Brad was on the phone with Michael Menace, and he said, ‘Hey, Michael, Don Diamont just walked in. We’re going to get him to leave Y&R and come join us over here.’ He hangs up with Michael. Sit down, ‘Don, what’s going on?’ He said, ‘Well, your brother just fired me, and I’m looking for a job.’”
Brad Bell Created Bill Spencer for Him
He admits Brad was shocked. After his Y&R character Brad, was named after Brad Bell. He said Brad offered to confirm that they are actually killing his character off and it turns out it was true; so a few months later, Brad created the role of Bill Spencer Jr. for him.
Getting let go from Genoa City turned out to be the ultimate blessing in disguise. Hearing that Diamont was suddenly available, Brad Bell moved fast to bring him across the hall to create the iconic role of “Dollar Bill” Spencer.
Behind the scenes, six-time Daytime Emmy winner Heather Tom (Katie Logan) was already pulling strings to make sure they were paired up on-screen.
“The story goes, which Heather always tells, when she heard I was coming to B&B… Heather hears I’m coming, and she is somewhere where she couldn’t talk, so she had to reach under the table and type, ‘I want Don Diamont,’ to Brad.”
Getting that instant vote of confidence from a powerhouse actress meant everything to him:
“So, that to me is an Emmy. That to me—that Heather Tom, that I call ‘Thee Heather Tom,’ wanted to work with me. Wow. That was enormously flattering.”
Diamont got visibly emotional sharing how much working alongside Tom and his former Y&R scene partner Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott) meant to his life.
Check out the full interview with Don Diamont below!
Which Don Diamont role has been your absolute favorite over the years—Brad Carlton on Y&R or Dollar Bill Spencer on B&B? Let us know in the comments!
Photo Credit: CBS Broadcasting Inc.
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