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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


Kenita R. Miller, Julia Murney and More Will Take Part in WATCHER IN THE WOODS Reading


Producers announced an industry reading of the new musical in development WATCHER IN THE WOODS. Check out all of the details on who will star and who leads the creative team here.

Photos: First Look at STUPID BORING STRAIGHT PEOPLE at the Players Theatre


Get a first look at Stupid Boring Straight People, now playing at The Players Theatre! Check out the all new photos here!

Marti Cummings Documentary QUEEN OF NEW YORK to Premiere on Advocate Channel


LGBTQIA+ cultural media giant equalpride and hair color and styling brand göt2b® announced that they have joined forces for the very first time in support of “Queen of New York,” a new documentary about drag queen and LGBTQIA+ activist Marti Cummings.  As part of the new deal, the media company will make the film available online for free starting April 15th.

LaChanze And Lar Lubovitch To Be Honored At Boston Conservatory Commencement


Join the Boston Conservatory at Berklee as they honor three-time Tony Award-winning actor and producer LaChanze and internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Lar Lubovitch at their commencement ceremony on May 11.

Pittsburgh CLO Announces Three New Programs To Make Theater More Family Accessible


Pittsburgh CLO is implementing changes to make theater more accessible for families. Discover how they're removing barriers and promoting inclusivity in the world of Broadway.

Ucross Announces Key Leadership Promotions


Discover the changes happening within the team of the renowned Wyoming-based foundation, UCROSS.

Pittsburgh CLO Presents Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra At The Benedum Center In June


Pittsburgh CLO will present JEFF GOLDBLUM & THE MILDRED SNITZER ORCHESTRA at the Benedum Center for one performance only on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 7:30PM.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 4, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 4, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Billy Porter, Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth, and More Sign Letter Against Use of AI in Art


Over 200 musicians, stage stars, and artists have signed an open letter against the use of AI  (artificial intelligence) to 'infringe upon and devalue the rights of human artists' including numerous Broadway favorites.

Meet the Cast of HELL'S KITCHEN, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!


Hell's Kitchen, the new musical conceived by Alicia Keys, begins previews tonight, March 28, with an opening night set for Saturday, April 20 at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre. Meet the cast of Hell's Kitchen here!

STUPID BORING STRAIGHT PEOPLE To Premiere At The Players Theatre


STUPID BORING STRAIGHT PEOPLE, written by Seth Barnes and directed by Elena Cramer, will premiere at The Players Theatre. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Ghee, Hewitt & Boggess to Star in MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL at Goodman Theatre


Goodman Theatre has revealed the initial cast for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Cast Album Will Be Recorded Next Week; Released on Ghostlight Records


GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS has announced plans for an original cast recording of the new Broadway musical Water for Elephants. Learn more here!

Meet the Cast of LEMPICKA, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway


Performances begin tonight, March 19, at the Longacre Theatre for Lempicka, the new musical celebrating the true story of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka.  Meet the cast of Lempicka here!

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.

Billy Porter FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Billy Porter next theatre project?

Billy Porter's next show will be Jelly's Last Jam which opens on 2/21/2024 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?

Billy Porter has been nominated for several awards for his role in "Kinky Boots" on Broadway, 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.

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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