Don Diamont: From Carlo to Brad Carlton to Dollar Bill Spencer

Don Diamont was born Donald Feinberg on December 31, 1962 in New York City. Diamont is his mother’s maiden name and he began using it after it was suggested by a manager. The reason being that it sounded too Jewish which is something that happened to a lot of actors back in the day. How said that people were told to hide their ethnicity. In a 2006 interview with Soap Opera Digest the actor said he did not embrace his Jewish heritage until later in life. He has been portraying ((Dollar)Bill Spencer Jr. on The Bold and the Beautiful since 2009. He was Brad Carlton on The Young and the Restless from 1985–1996, and 1998–2009. In 1990, Diamont was chosen by People Magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. He was the first daytime actor to ever receive this honor.

Diamont had a successful modeling career prior to his first major acting role which was on Days of Our Lives as Carlo Forenza. He was on the NBC daytime drama for one year in 1984 prior to joining The Young and the Restless. Carlo had an affair with Liz Chandler, (Gloria Loring. H)is Y&R character Brad was an opportunist who had relationships with Traci Abbott and her sister Ashley, as well as Nikki Newman and her daughter Victoria. Brad was abruptly killed off in early 2009 by drowning in a frozen lake. The fans were shocked and livid and wanted him back but it did not happen. He left behind a daughter Coleen whose mother is Traci, but Coleen died tragically after being shot by Paul's sister Patty.

The handsome actor did not remain unemployed long as it was announced on March 5th, 2009 that Diamont would be joining the cast of Y&R’s sister soap on CBS, The Bold and the Beautiful. His first air date in the contract role of Bill Spencer Jr. was May 12th 2009. In 2006, Diamont was voted as the No. 1 Sexiest Soap Hunk of All time. In 1988 and 1985 the actor was a cover model for Playgirl magazine. In 2009 People magazine voted him the sexiest veteran actor on the soaps and they did not lie. Diamont has a niece who has Multiple Sclerosis, which is why he is very active with the National MS Society. In 2018 he was part in the cast of the talent show conducted by Milly Carlucci, (Ballando con le Stelle). This is the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing / Dancing with the Stars.

Don Diamont is technically the father of seven sons. He has four sons with ex-wife Rachek Braun . He has twin boys with current wife Cindy Ambuehl whom he married on June 12, 2012. He also raised the son of his sister Bette who passed away. In addition to daytime drama shows, he has also had roles on television shows including Diagnosis Murder, High Tide, Burkes' Law, and County Justice. On the soaps Diamont's characters have each been of a different ethnicity. Carlo was Latino, Brad Jewish and Dollar Bill Spencer calls himself "The Italian Stallion."

In real time in the August 15, 2006 edition of Soap Opera Digest, Diamont discusses his Jewish background and discloses that he did not fully embrace his heritage until later in life. His storyline on The Young and the Restless somewhat mirrored his personal life as it was revealed that "Brad Carlton" was actually "George Kaplan." It was explained that George/Brad had no choice but to hide his past, and the fact that he as Jewish, for his own safety.The Young and the Restless is currently showing flash back episodes so fans will more than likely see Diamont in his younger days as Brad.

On The Bold and the Beautiful Dollar Bill is not currently in a front burner storyline but is on the periphery of several. His son Wyatt is about to find out that his former girlfriend Sally is lying about dying. Bill's great nephew Douglas is being raised by Hope and Liam because his dad Thomas is off somewhere licking his wounds after breaking Zoe's heart. Bill and ex wife Brooke kissed and this ended her marriage to Ridge. It does not look as if "Brill" will start dating again but you never know. B&B is currently airing older episodes until they are able to begin taping new shows again. Tune in weekday afternoons to see the Italian Stallion in action. Congratulations to Don Diamont on his long soap career and for being named the sexiest soap star and one of the most beautiful people alive.