Billy Porter

Birth Place: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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Billy Porter 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. 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 Photos

Billy Porter STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert Revival Production, 2024
Chimney Man

[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]

Billy Porter 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

[1996]Twisted Shiniqua - Angel's Friend

[1997]Anastasia Ensemble, Character Vocals

[2000]Intern Sebtian Niederfarb

[2000]The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy Taylor

[2004]Noel Randy

[2014]The Humbling Prince

[2020]Like a Boss Barrett

[2021]Cinderella Fabulous Godmother


Billy Porter TV Shows

Fairfax Hiroki

Pose Pray Tell

Billy Porter Videos

Billy Porter News


Reneé Rapp, FELLOW TRAVELERS & More Win GLAAD Media Awards

Reneé Rapp, Fellow Travelers, and more received GLAAD Media Awards at last night's Los Angeles ceremony. Nominees included The Color Purple, Rustin, Billy Porter, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and more. Check out the winners from the Los Angeles ceremony now!

Initial Cast and Additional Dates Set For HAIRSPRAY UK Tour

Initial casting and further tour dates have been announced for the 2024/25 UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray. Learn more about who is starring in the musical here, and where you can catch the show!

Billy Porter Joins Brighton & Hove Pride Fabuloso Lineup

Joining Billy Porter for this spectacular line up is British pop idols Girls Aloud and global superstar Mika, dancefloor and all out sensation Sophie Ellis Bextor; pop family favourites S Club, the UK's treasured singer-songwriter Gabrielle; Kevin Aviance, Björn Again, House Gospel Choir and Danny Beard with more artists and acts to be announced.

Avantika, Tony Danza, Tovah Feldshuh, Tonya Pinkins and More Will Lead New Play WINDOWS

 Windows, a new play written by New York Times Bestselling Author Tawni O'Dell will make its world premiere, in a strictly limited engagement March 25th - 27th at The Town Hall. Learn more about the play and find out who is starring here!

Billy Porter And More To Celebrate Elton John And Bernie Taupin Receiving The Gershwin Prize In All-Star Tribute

Join the celebration as Elton John and Bernie Taupin receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize. The lineup includes performances by Garth Brooks, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Metallica, and Billy Porter.

Primary Stages Announces 2024 Fresh Ink Reading Series And Playwriting Cohort

Explore the 2024 Fresh Ink Reading Series and Playwriting Cohort announced by Primary Stages. Discover new talents and upcoming plays in the world of Broadway.

Video: Watch 'The Whole World's Waitin' to Sing Your Song' from JELLY'S LAST JAM

Watch video footage of Nicholas Christopher, Alaman Diadhiou, and the ensemble of Encores! Jelly's Last Jam performing 'The Whole World’s Waitin’ to Sing Your Song' here!

Video: Tiffany Mann and Okieriete Onaodowan Perform 'Michigan Water' In JELLY'S LAST JAM At City Center Encores!

Get a peek at the New York City Center Encores! production of Jelly’s Last Jam. In the video below, watch as Tiffany Mann and Okieriete Onaodowan as Buddy Bolden perform “Michigan Water”!

Complete Cast Set For HELL'S KITCHEN on Broadway

The complete cast has been revealed for the Broadway premiere of the new musical HELL’S KITCHEN, set to begin performances next month! Learn more about who is joining the company here!

Todrick Hall Launches First Black-Owned Theatrical Performance Rights Company; Releases Recordings from First 3 Musicals

Todrick Hall has launched the first black-owned theatrical performance rights company, Todrick Hall Musicals. Learn more about the company here!

Photos: First Look at Encores! JELLY'S LAST JAM

Up next in the New York City Center Encores! season is Jelly’s Last Jam. Check out new photos of the cast in action!

Review Roundup: JELLY'S LAST JAM Opens at New York City Center

Read the reviews for Jelly's Last Jam at New York City Center, starring Billy Porter and more.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 22, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 22, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Video: Watch Highlights of Nicholas Christopher, Billy Porter & More in JELLY'S LAST JAM

In this video, watch highlights of Jelly's Last Jam at New York City Center Encores!.

Video: Go Inside Rehearsals for JELLY'S LAST JAM at Encores!

In this video, watch as the cast of Encores! Jelly's Last Jam meets the press and gives a special sneak peek of 'Jelly's Jam' and 'Play the Music for Me.'

Photos: Go Inside the Opening of The Hollywood Museum's Black History Month Exhibit THIS JOINT IS JUMPIN

This week, Donelle Dadigan (Founder/President of The Hollywood Museum) joined many personalities, as they honor Black History Month with a new exhibit  “THIS JOINT IS JUMPIN” a celebration of Black Entertainers from Film, TV, Theater and Song. Check out photos from the event here!

Photos: The Cast of JELLY'S LAST JAM at City Center Encores! Meets the Press

Jelly’s Last Jam runs February 21 through March 3 at New York City Center. The company recently met the press and BroadwayWorld was on hand to chat with them about the upcoming show. Check out photos from the press event here!

Celebration Theatre Hosts Awards Gala Next Month

Celebration Theatre will host its annual awards gala Saturday, March 23rd, 2-5 pm, to celebrate its arts community’s creative heroes and raise critical funds during an entertaining afternoon of special appearances and festivities. 

Industry Reading Of ONE DAY DOWN Comes To The Dramatists Guild Foundation This Month

Morgan Hogenmiller, Maraika Lumholdt, and Katy Zapanta will present an invite-only industry reading of One Day Down by Samantha Toy Ozeas.

Listen: Hear Billy Porter & Luke Evans Sing 'Always Be My Man' From OUR SON Film

The song showcases the vocal talents of both Porter and Evans, and is produced by 5x Grammy-winning musician, Robert Glasper. Written by Billy Porter, Conner Reeves (Tina Turner, Joe Cocker), and Joe Killington (Dap Kings, James Smith), the song is primed to be a LGBTQ+ wedding anthem for years to come.

Billy Porter FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Billy Porter's next show will be Jelly's Last Jam which opens on 2/21/2024 on Off-Broadway.

Billy Porter has appeared on Broadway in 8 shows.

Billy Porter has not appeared in the West End.

Billy Porter has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Best Leading Actor in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards), Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards), Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards), Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards), and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) - all for his role in "Kinky Boots."

Billy Porter has won the Best Leading Actor in a Musical award at the BroadwayWorld Awards for his role in Kinky Boots.

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

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