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Date of Birth: September 21, 1969 (53)

Birth Place: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Bio:
Billy Porter is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning, and Golden Globe-nominated, actor, singer, director, composer, and playwright from Pittsburgh, PA. His electric portrayal of Pray Tell in FX's breakthrough series "Pose," earned him a Golden Globe nomination and a Critics' Choice Award nomination. ... (read complete bio)

Photos

Stage Credits

  [Off-Broadway]
New York Staged Reading, 2018
Performer
  [Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2016
Aubrey Lyles
  [Off-Broadway]
New York Premiere Production, 2016
Performer
  [US Tour]
First National Tour, 2014
Lola [Replacement]
  [Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2013
Lola
Lola [Replacement]
Lola
  [Off-Broadway]
Signature Theatre Company Production, 2010
Belize
  [Off-Broadway]
Signature Theatre Company Production, 2010
Belize
  [New York]
Reading, 2006
Calliope
  [Off-Broadway]
2005
Bam/Little Pimp/Sook/Minerva
  [Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2005
Performer
Performer
  [Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2004
Performer
Other Roles
  [Off-Broadway]
2004
Performer
  [Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2003
Audrey II [voice] [Replacement]
  [Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2003
Hot and Sleazy New York Man, Diva Man, Media/Critic/Journalist, Business Person, Prom Goer, New Yorker, SVA Student, Graffiti Artist, Celebrity, Galle
Various Roles
  [Broadway]
New York Concert, 2001
James Thunder Early
  [Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1995
Performer
  [Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1995
Performer [Replacement]
  [Off-Broadway]
1995
Solanio
  [Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1994
Teen Angel
  [Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1991
John [Replacement]

Productions

 
[Boston, 2019]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Vocal Music Arranger

Writing

Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist
Playwright
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Conceiver

Billy Porter Movies

Twisted
 
[1996]
Shiniqua - Angel's Friend
Anastasia
 
[1997]
Ensemble, Character Vocals
Intern
 
[2000]
Sebtian Niederfarb
The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy
 
[2000]
Taylor
Noel
 
[2004]
Randy
The Humbling
 
[2014]
Prince
Like a Boss
 
[2020]
Barrett
Cinderella
 
[2021]
Fabulous Godmother

Billy Porter TV Shows

Fairfax
 
[]
Hiroki
Pose
 
[]
Pray Tell

Billy Porter Biography

Billy Porter is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning, and Golden Globe-nominated, actor, singer, director, composer, and playwright from Pittsburgh, PA.

His electric portrayal of Pray Tell in FX's breakthrough series "Pose," earned him a Golden Globe nomination and a Critics' Choice Award nomination. On screen, Porter recently appeared on "American Horror Story: Apocalypse" and Baz Luhrman's "The Get Down" on Netflix. Under the direction of Barry Levinson, Porter starred in The Humbling, alongside Al Pacino and Greta Gerwig. His other film credits include Noel, The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy, Intern, Anastasia, and Twisted.

A veteran of the theatre, Porter reprised his role as Lola in the smash hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots, for which he won the 2013 Drama Desk and Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical. His other Broadway acting credits include the Tony nominated Broadway musical, Shuffle Along, directed by George C. Wolfe, Miss Saigon, Five Guys Named Moe, Grease, Smokey Joe's Café, and Dreamgirls (20th anniversary Broadway concert and LA Ovation Award).

His Off Broadway and regional credits include Angels in America (Signature Theater), Romance In Hard Times, The Merchant of Venice, House of Lear, and Radiant Baby (The New York Shakespeare Festival), Birdie Blue (Second Stage), Angels in America (Actors Theatre of Louisville), Going Native (The Long Wharf), Jelly's Last Jam (Alliance), Topdog/Underdog (City Theatre), King Lear (Exit, Pursued By A Bear), Jason Robert Brown's Songs for a New World (original cast), Jesus Christ Superstar, Antigone, A Chorus Line, and Chicago.

His one-man show Ghetto Superstar: The Man That I Am, debuted at The Public Theater in conjunction with City Theatre of Pittsburgh and was nominated for a 2005 GLAAD Media Award. Porter was also named "Pittsburgh's Performer of the Year 2003-2004" by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Billy Porter Awards and Nominations

 
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2013 - Best Leading Actor in a Musical Gold Star
Billy Porter, Kinky Boots
 
Drama Desk Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Billy Porter, Kinky Boots
 
Drama League Awards - 2013 - Distinguished Performance Award
Billy Porter, Kinky Boots
 
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Billy Porter, Kinky Boots
 
Tony Awards - 2013 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Billy Porter, Kinky Boots

Billy Porter News

Matt Zarley to Premiere New Musical Web Series 11 O'CLOCK NUMBER Next Week Photo Matt Zarley to Premiere New Musical Web Series 11 O'CLOCK NUMBER Next Week
by Blair Ingenthron - Mar 25, 2023

Broadway veteran and award-winning recording artist Matt Zarley will premiere a new, twelve-episode musical web series, “11 O'Clock Number,” on Monday, March 27, 2023, at 11 p.m. ET.

THE MICHAEL FRIEDMAN COLLECTION Featuring Jackie Hoffman, Lauren Molina & More Out No Photo THE MICHAEL FRIEDMAN COLLECTION Featuring Jackie Hoffman, Lauren Molina & More Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 24, 2023

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS and THE CIVILIANS have released four new albums as the final installment of The Michael Friedman Collection.

Listen: Billy Porter Drops New Single 'Baby Was A Dancer' Photo Listen: Billy Porter Drops New Single 'Baby Was A Dancer'
by Michael Major - Mar 24, 2023

GRAMMY, EMMY, and Tony Award-winning singer, composer, director, author, actor, and playwright Billy Porter has released a new single, “Baby Was A Dancer.' For six weeks this spring, Billy will grace stages in the U.S. with the THE BLACK MONA LISA TOUR:VOLUME 1 tour. Watch the lyric video for the new single and check out tour dates now!

Strands For Trans & The Phluid Project Celebrate International Trans Day Of Visibilit Photo Strands For Trans & The Phluid Project Celebrate International Trans Day Of Visibility With GENDER EUPHORIA
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2023

Strands For Trans, the global network of more than 7,500 trans-affirming barber shops and hair salons, will commemorate International Transgender Day of Visibility 2023 with “Gender Euphoria: A Global Celebration” the first-ever virtual reality event celebrating transgender rights.

FOX Renews ACCUSED and ALERT: MISSING PERSONS UNIT For Second Seasons Photo FOX Renews ACCUSED and ALERT: MISSING PERSONS UNIT For Second Seasons
by Michael Major - Mar 23, 2023

Accused’s first season is anchored by Oscar, Tony and Emmy-winning talent, including Michael Chiklis, Abigail Breslin, Whitney Cummings, Margo Martindale, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Wendell Pierce, Rachel Bilson, Jack Davenport, Aisha Dee, Jason Ritter and directors Billy Porter, Marlee Matlin, Tazbah Chavez and Michael Chiklis.

Exclusive: Hear A New Track 'The Civilians Theme Song' From THE MICHAEL FRIEDMAN COLL Photo Exclusive: Hear A New Track 'The Civilians Theme Song' From THE MICHAEL FRIEDMAN COLLECTION
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 23, 2023

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS and THE CIVILIANS have announced the release of four new albums as the final installment of The Michael Friedman Collection. Adventures in Reality, Canard, Canard, Goose?, In the Footprint: The Battle for the Atlantic Yards, and Mr. Burns, a post-electric play will all be available in digital and streaming formats on Friday, March 24.

Listen: Eleri Ward's KEEP A TENDER DISTANCE to be Released on Vinyl in June Photo Listen: Eleri Ward's KEEP A TENDER DISTANCE to be Released on Vinyl in June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 17, 2023

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS has announced that the new album Keep A Tender Distance rom singer/songwriter Eleri Ward will be released in a special vinyl edition on Friday, June 2. 

Scoop: Coming Up on a New Episode of ACCUSED on FOX - Tuesday, March 21, 2023 Photo Scoop: Coming Up on a New Episode of ACCUSED on FOX - Tuesday, March 21, 2023
by TV Scoop - Mar 16, 2023

Get all the scoop on ACCUSED, airing on FOX on Tuesday, March 21, 2023! Directed by Emmy Winner Michael Chiklis. A high school teacher puts his reputation in jeopardy when he helps a student in need in the all-new “Jack’s Story” episode. Watch a video preview of the new episode now!

The Civilians To Honor Kurt Deutsch & Ghostlight Records at ADVENTURES IN REALITY, 20 Photo The Civilians To Honor Kurt Deutsch & Ghostlight Records at ADVENTURES IN REALITY, 2023 Spring Benefit
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 16, 2023

The Civilians will honor Grammy-winning industry executive Kurt Deutsch, Senior Vice President, Warner Music Entertainment & Theatrical Ventures, and Ghostlight Records at Adventures in Reality: The Civilians' 2023 Spring Benefit. 

Dominic Colón & Roger Q. Mason to Star in THE PINK Developmental Reading at 59E59 Th Photo Dominic Colón & Roger Q. Mason to Star in THE PINK Developmental Reading at 59E59 Theaters
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 15, 2023

Casting has been announced for the developmental reading of THE PINK by acclaimed Black Filipinx playwright and Kilroys List honoree Roger Q. Mason, presented by Breaking the Binary Theatre in association with Primary Stages as part of the Creative Access Grant Reading Series with Primary Stages.

Billy Porter Videos

Video: Billy Porter Covers Kelly Clarkson's 'Stronger' on THAT'S MY JAM Videoplay
Video: Billy Porter Covers Kelly Clarkson's 'Stronger' on THAT'S MY JAM

by Michael Major - Mar 10, 2023

Billy Porter is appearing on the upcoming episode of NBC's That's My Jam, alongside Patti LaBelle, Darren Criss and Sarah Hyland. The four Broadway alums will compete in a series of music, dance and trivia-based games and musical performances. Watch a video of Porter singing a Gospel rendition of Kelly Clarkson's 'Stronger' now!

VIDEO: Billy Porter & James Corden Do 'Toddlerography' to Harry Styles on THE LATE LA Videoplay
VIDEO: Billy Porter & James Corden Do 'Toddlerography' to Harry Styles on THE LATE LATE SHOW

by Michael Major - Jan 27, 2023

Billy Porter appeared on a new episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden for a new sketch. In the video, Porter and Corden attend a dance class taught by some 'fierce' and 'ruthless' instructors: a group of toddlers. Watch Billy Porter and James Corden do 'toddlerography' to 'As It Was' by Harry Styles now!

VIDEO: Watch Rita Moreno, Billy Porter & More in the 80 FOR BRADY Trailer Videoplay
VIDEO: Watch Rita Moreno, Billy Porter & More in the 80 FOR BRADY Trailer

by Michael Major - Nov 17, 2022

The trailer for 80 FOR BRADY has been released, featuring Rita Moreno and Billy Porter! 80 FOR BRADY is inspired by the true story of four best friends living life to the fullest when they take a wild trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI. It also stars Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Harry Hamlin, Guy Fieri, and more. Watch the video trailer now!

VIDEO: Billy Porter Reveals How the Arts 'Saved Him' on CBS MORNINGS Videoplay
VIDEO: Billy Porter Reveals How the Arts 'Saved Him' on CBS MORNINGS

by Michael Major - Oct 25, 2022

During an interview on CBS Mornings, Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner Billy Porter discussed his upbringing and how the arts saved his life through his dark childhood. Porter also dished on his fashion, new music, having Ryan Murphy and Gayle King on his vision board, and more. Watch the new video interview now!

VIDEO: Annaleigh Ashford, Robin de Jesús & More Star in WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALES Trai Videoplay
VIDEO: Annaleigh Ashford, Robin de Jesús & More Star in WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALES Trailer

by Michael Major - Oct 18, 2022

Hulu has shared the trailer for “Welcome to Chippendales,” which stars Annaleigh Ashford, Robin de Jesús, Andrew Rannells, and more. The series also stars Kumail Nanjiani, Murray Bartlett, Juliette Lewis, and Quentin Plair. Watch the new video trailer now!

VIDEO: Billy Porter Discusses His Secret DREAMGIRLS Audition at 16-Years-Old on LATE  Videoplay
VIDEO: Billy Porter Discusses His Secret DREAMGIRLS Audition at 16-Years-Old on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS

by Michael Major - Aug 4, 2022

Billy Porter appeared on Late Night to discuss making his directorial debut with the new Prime Video film, Anything's Possible. During the interview Porter discussed his early love of musical theatre while growing up in Pittsburgh, telling the story of sneaking off to Chicago to secretly audition for Dreamgirls. Watch the new video now!

Exclusive: Billy Porter Uncovers Family History on WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Videoplay
Exclusive: Billy Porter Uncovers Family History on WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

by Michael Major - Jul 1, 2022

Billy Porter enlists the help of a family historian and genealogist to learn the truth behind the murder of his great-grandfather. Billy’s research takes him through conflicting accounts of what happened, before he discovers a local African-American newspaper that reveals the shocking truth of his grandfather’s death and the uproar that followed. 

VIDEO: Billy Porter Performs on the BET Awards Videoplay
VIDEO: Billy Porter Performs on the BET Awards

by Michael Major - Jun 27, 2022

Billy Porter brought ballroom and house music to the BET Awards with an epic performance on Sunday night. Watch the video from the broadcast which also featured performances by Brandy, Jack Harlow, Lizzo, Mariah Carey, Latto, and more.

VIDEO: Billy Porter, Andy Karl, Orfeh, and More Debut 'It Had to Be You' to Raise Awa Videoplay
VIDEO: Billy Porter, Andy Karl, Orfeh, and More Debut 'It Had to Be You' to Raise Awareness About Canines With Cancer

by BroadwayWorld TV - Jun 8, 2022

To raise awareness about canines with cancer,  Billy Porter, and Broadway stars from “Jersey Boys,” “Hamilton,” and “Funny Girl” rallied with their dogs to film “It Had to be You” for Take C.H.A.R.G.E (Canine Health and ReGistry Exchange). 

BWW Exclusive: Debbie Allen Guest Stars on THE PROUD FAMILY: LOUDER & PROUDER Videoplay
BWW Exclusive: Debbie Allen Guest Stars on THE PROUD FAMILY: LOUDER & PROUDER

by Michael Major - Apr 19, 2022

Debbie Allen will guest star on a new episode of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. BroadwayWorld is sharing an exclusive clip from the new episode, featuring Allen as Myrtle, an ostrich-riding cowgirl who raps about the barbecue food she will serve to the Proud Family. Watch the exclusive clip now!


Billy Porter Frequently Asked Questions

What is Billy Porter next theatre project?
Billy Porter's next show will be Untitled Sex Project which opens on 12/31/2030 on Off-Broadway.

How many Broadway shows has Billy Porter been in?
Billy Porter has appeared on Broadway in 8 shows.

How many West End shows has Billy Porter been in?
Billy Porter has not appeared in the West End

What awards has Billy Porter been nominated for?
Best Leading Actor in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Kinky Boots , Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Kinky Boots , Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Kinky Boots Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Kinky Boots and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Kinky Boots .

What awards has Billy Porter won?
Best Leading Actor in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Kinky Boots.

How many shows has Billy Porter written?
Billy Porter has written 4 shows including Ghetto Superstar (Bookwriter), Ghetto Superstar (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Mixed Company (Conceiver), Untitled Sex Project (Playwright).


Twitter Watch

@theebillyporter - 11/19/22 02:38pm Never liked this shit anyway. Not surprised about this cesspool shit-show. I’m out y’all! https://t.co/D3NqGZRYJn


@theebillyporter - 11/11/22 01:39pm . @thehumantrial is now available on AppleTV, Prime Video and Google Play. Click the link to watch now!… https://t.co/zrqQ3ukXmD


@theebillyporter - 11/10/22 12:32pm News! #MadameTussauds https://t.co/z8gVDg44Wk


@theebillyporter - 11/9/22 10:26am Yes! Self-care vibes!


@theebillyporter - 11/8/22 04:46pm Whew Chile! Did you all know that who you #vote for is private, but whether or not you vote is PUBLIC. #PSGoVote… https://t.co/unVkUMLmRm


@theebillyporter - 11/8/22 10:40am New York: There's so much on the line in today's election — it's critically important that we make our voices heard… https://t.co/Ut1YGhU6cB


@theebillyporter - 11/7/22 04:32pm Who’s ready to #vote tomorrow? Our very lives, our rights, our humanity is at stake. ?✊? https://t.co/P6leIGUHES


@theebillyporter - 11/4/22 10:29pm #StrangerThings is out today. The song is a call to action. A reminder that none of the extreme trauma that we’ve b… https://t.co/mtwlsfqAoA


@theebillyporter - 11/4/22 07:13pm Early voting continues across the country as we head into Election Day this coming Tuesday, November 8th. Before go… https://t.co/yRR5IJVRw0


@theebillyporter - 11/4/22 12:24am "Stranger Things" is out now! https://t.co/vnC1LLeYgi


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