 He originated the role of John Abbott on the soap opera "The Young and the Restless", a role he filled only from May 1980 to March 1981, when he was replaced by Jerry Douglas.Halsey is a great-nephew of the United States Navy Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr.,
also known as Bull Halsey, commander of the Pacific Allied naval forces during World War II.Universal Pictures selected Brett Halsey's acting name from the admiral.