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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

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 Awards and Nominations


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2013 - Best Leading Actor in a Musical

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 Videos

Billy Porter News


Roger Q. Mason's THE PINK Will Receive an Industry Reading at Caveat Next Month

Acclaimed Black Filipinx playwright and Kilroys List honoree Roger Q. Mason will receive a staged reading of THE PINK, directed by Kevin Newbury.
Beth Malone, Rema Webb, and More Join Industry Reading of STARTING WITH...ENDING AS

An industry reading of Staring With...Ending As is set for July 19th. Starting With...Ending As illuminates the power of decisions we make on a daily basis, exposing the impact those choices make on not only our own lives, but also the lives of those closest to us.
Video: Watch Noah J. Ricketts, Sandra Mae Frank & More in Magnus Riise's Pride-Themed Music Video

Magnus Riise released a new pride-themed music video, 'My Heart Can Beat Again,' featuring a diverse cast and exploring LGBTQ+ solidarity and community. The video includes messages of support from around the world including from several Broadway alums.
Photos: Go Inside the Opening of the REAL TO REEL Exhibition, Paying Tribute To Leslie Jordan

This week, the Hollywood Museum’s Annual and LGBTQ+ Exhibit opening and Awards, Hollywood’s first LGBTQ+ Tribute/Exhibit and Awards, Donelle Dadigan (Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum) announced its 2024 salute to the LGBTQ+ community's contributions to the entertainment industry. Check out photos here!
Review: SETH'S BIG FAT BROADWAY SHOW at Theatre Raleigh

Next up in Theatre Raleigh’s 2024 concert series is Seth Rudetsky. For those unfamiliar, he’s a DJ for SiriusXM on Broadway. He’s worked for more than 20 years as an actor, writer, pianist, and conductor working on blockbuster musicals such as Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Ragtime, and The Producers.
Rayshaun Sandlin Launches RAYNGE Production Company,

Rayshaun Sandlin has launched RAYNGE Production Company, which will aim to amplify the voices and narratives of marginalized communities, with a particular focus on Black and LGBTQIA+ stories.
Photos: Inside the Tony Awards Late Night Party at Pebble Bar Hosted by Kelli O'Hara

On Sunday June 16, 2024, Kelli O’Hara and Arian Moayed hosted Late Night at Pebble Bar, an annual Tony Awards Afterparty, for a VIP guestlist of their closest colleagues and partners in the theater industry. Take a look at photos from the night!
Photos: Go Behind the Scenes of the 2024 Tony Awards

See photos of backstage moments with Jonathan Groff, Idina Menzel, Alicia Keys, Ariana DeBose, Hillary Clinton, Angelina Jolie, and the casts of Cabaret, Water for Elephants, Merrily We Roll Along, The Outsiders, and more.
Photos: Inside the 2024 Tony Awards Ceremony

Last night, the curtain was raised on the 77th Annual Tony Awards! Take a look inside the CBS broadcasts and Pluto TV pre-show below, including photos of the casts of The Outsiders, Suffs, Hell's Kitchen, The Who's Tommy, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, and more.
Photos: Backstage with the 2024 Tony Awards Winners

This morning they were just nominees, but tonight... they're winners! BroadwayWorld is backstage at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the 77th Annual Tony Awards and we're bringing you live photos of tonight's winners.
2024 Tony Awards Fashions- The Best Looks from Broadway's Biggest Night

The 2024 Tony Awards have come and gone and as usual, Broadway's biggest stars turned up and turned it out in honor of the big night! From classic glamour to avant garde eleganza, check out our photos below to find out which 'fits were it at this year's celebration!
Backstage at the 2024 Tony Awards

How does it feel to be a Tony winner? What project is up next? Who did they forget to thank? Find out straight from the winners themselves!
Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren Will Lead First Broadway Production of THE LAST FIVE YEARS

Still hurting over the end of the Broadway season? BroadwayWorld has just learned that that singer, songwriter and actor Nick Jonas and Tony Award winner Adrienne Warren will return to Broadway to star as 'Jamie' and 'Cathy' in the first ever Broadway production of Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown's beloved THE LAST FIVE YEARS. We have all of the details!
Listen: Billy Porter Releases New Single 'Leap'

Billy Porter has shared his new single entitled “Leap”, a motivational anthem ahead of Juneteenth and Pride month celebrations. “Leap” previews the forthcoming Black Mona Lisa Vol. 2: The Cookout Sessions EP coming soon. Listen to the song here!
How/When/Where to Watch the 2024 Tony Awards

On June 16, The 77th Annual Tony Awards made their debut at Lincoln Center at the David H. Koch Theatre to celebrate the best of Broadway for the 2023/24 theatre season.
Video Roundup: 2024 Tony Winners Share First Impressions

As the 77th Annual Tony Awards continue at the David H. Koch Theatre, winners will be sharing their reactions at the First Impressions Cam, hosted by Erich Bergen. Watch in these videos!
Recap the 2024 Tony Awards Acceptance Speeches

The 77th Annual Tony Awards have officially begun! As winners take the stage this evening, stay tuned to BroadwayWorld as we bring you full text of all of the acceptance speeches; from the emotional to the humorous, and everything in between.
2024 Tony Awards Winners - The Full List

The 77th Annual Tony Awards were a smashing success with The Outsiders and Stereophonic taking home the top prizes of Best Play and Best Musical. Find out who else took home honors with the full list of winners below!
The Broadway Cast, Hosted by Ben Cameron, Is Coming to BroadwayWorld

BroadwayWorld is very excited to announce a new partnership with 'The Broadway Cast'- a weekly talk show hosted by Broadway vet Ben Cameron, who brings your favorite Broadway personalities together for a hysterical, fun, informative, inspiring roundtable conversation.
Dan McCabe's THE PURISTS & More Announced For Amit Sharma's Inaugural Season at Kiln Theatre

The lineup for Amit Sharma's inaugural season as Artistic Director of Kiln Theatre will include the European premiere of Dan McCabe's The Purists, and more.

Billy Porter FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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?

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

What awards has Billy Porter won?

Billy Porter has won the Best Leading Actor in a Musical award at the BroadwayWorld Awards for his performance in 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).

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