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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


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.
Alicia Keys, Linda Twine, and Maxine Williams Will Be Honored at the 2024 Black Theatre United Gala

Black Theatre United will host its second annual Gala on Monday, September 30, 2024 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York. Learn more about how to attend here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 30, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 30, 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 Will Reopen East Hampton's Guild Hall

Guild Hall has announced the completion of its theater renovation, with performing arts programming commencing in July. Guild Hall’s facility-wide capital improvements project and campaign was first announced in 2021 and ushered in a period of 21st-century revitalization for the legendary multi-arts center.
Billy Porter Will Embark on UK Solo Tour THE BLACK MONA LISA

GRAMMY, EMMY and 3x Tony Award winner Billy Porter will bring his brand new show on UK tour, titled THE BLACK MONA LISA.
Interview: Malachi McCaskil's Bursting on the Ahmanson Stage as Usher in A STRANGE LOOP

Michael R. Jackson’s 2020 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning A Strange Loop opens June 5, 2024; at the Ahmanson. A co-production of Center Theatrer Gtoup and American Conservatory Theatre, Stephen Brackett  directs the cast led by  Malachi McCaskil as Usher with Dave J. Abrams, Angela Alise, Jordan Barbour, J. Cameron Barnett, Carlis Shane Clark, Alvis Green Jr., Albert Hodge, Avionce Hoyles, Tarra Conner Jones, Jamari Johnson Williams and John-Andrew Morrison. I was able to chat Malachi after he finished his West Coast premiere at A.C.T.
Video: Matt Gould Performs 'Woman Is' From LEMPICKA

Watch as Matt Gould performs 'Woman Is' from Lempicka! Learn more about Gould and about the show.
Pop Musical VERONA'S ROMEO & JULIET, Starring Ledisi and Rebel Wilson, Coming in 2025

According to reports, the previously announced pop musical Verona's Romeo & Juliet will be distributed by Briarcliff Entertainment on Valentine's Day 2025. The new movie musical will be the first in a trilogy of pop musical movies that tell the real 1301 story that inspired William Shakespeare's classic play. The film is led by Clara Rugaard and Jamie Ward as Juliet and Romeo, respectively. 
Darren Criss and Helen J Shen Will Lead MAYBE HAPPY ENDING on Broadway

Darren Criss will return to the stage alongside Helen J Shen in the Broadway premiere of the new romantic musical comedy Maybe Happy Ending with music by Will Aronson, lyrics by Hue Park and book by both Aronson and Park. We have all of the details!
Billy Porter to Receive 2024 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award

Billy Porter will receive the 2024 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award. Learn more about the Tony Awards!
THE ONE/FIFTH Debuts as Part of SoHo Playhouse's 2024 Lighthouse Series

Lisa Lewis' THE ONE/FIFTH, directed by Timothy Koch, debuts as part of SoHo Playhouse's 2024 Lighthouse Series!
Theatre Communications Group Names James Rhee as Plenary Speaker at 33rd TCG National Conference

Theatre Communications Group has named James Rhee as the Plenary Speaker. Learn more about
'r Kids Family Center to Present THE GOOD ADOPTEE at Cabaret On Main

Join 'r kids Family Center as they present THE GOOD ADOPTEE at Cabaret on Main in East Haven. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Idina Menzel Will Bring TAKE ME OR LEAVE ME Tour to the Charleston Gaillard Center

Multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter and Tony Award-winning performer, Idina Menzel announced the “Take Me or Leave Me Tour” in North America this upcoming Summer 2024, including a stop at the Charleston Gaillard Center on Saturday, August 3.
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.

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 for his role in the Broadway show Kinky Boots, 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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