Billy Porter
Biography
Billy Porter is an American actor and singer. Born on September 21, 1969, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he gained notice performing on Broadway. Porter won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in Kinky Boots, as well as the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. He also won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for the musical's accompanying album. Porter has a career spanning multiple credits, with 106 known credits in acting.
Career overview
Billy Porter is an American actor who gained notice performing on Broadway. He has had a successful career in musical theater, with a notable role as Lola in the musical Kinky Boots. Porter's performance in this production earned him several awards, including the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical.
Porter's success in Kinky Boots also led to a Grammy Award for the musical's accompanying album, specifically the Best Musical Theater Album in 2014. He has continued to work in the entertainment industry, with a notable role in the television series Pose. Porter's work in this series has been recognized with a nomination for a specific award, although the exact award is not specified.
Throughout his career, Porter has demonstrated his versatility as an actor, with a range of roles in both musical theater and television. His performances have been recognized with several awards and nominations, showcasing his talent and dedication to his craft.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
115 titles- The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026) as Magno Stift
- Billy Preston: That's the Way God Planned It (2026) as Self
- Christmas Karma (2025) as The Ghost of Christmas Present
- My Happy Place (2025) as Self
- Freeman Vines (2025) Executive Producer
- I Was Born This Way (2025) as Self
- I Was Born This Way (2025) Executive Producer
- Live from the Other Side with Tyler Henry (2024) as Self
- (pride/prom) (2024) Executive Producer
- Disco's Revenge (2024) as Self
- Eric André Live Near Broadway (2024) as Self
- Accused (2023) Director
- 80 for Brady (2023) as Gugu
- Our Son (2023) as Gabriel
- Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love (2023) as Self - Guest
- Little Richard: I Am Everything (2023) as Self
- Let the Canary Sing (2023) as Self
- Queen of New York (2023)
- Truth Be Told (2023)
- The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022)
- Sherri (2022) as Self - Guest
- The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2022) as Randall (voice)
- Who's Talking to Chris Wallace? (2022) as Self
- RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World (2022) as Self - Special Guest
- Anything's Possible (2022) Director
- PRIDE: To Be Seen - A Soul of a Nation Presentation (2022) as Pray Tell (archive footage)
- Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All! (2022) as Self
- A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting (2022) Executive Producer
- Homeward Bound: A Grammy Salute to the Songs of Paul Simon (2022) as Self
- Middlemost Post (2021) as Recycle King (voice)
- Gossip Girl (2021) as Singer
- Never Mind the Buzzcocks (2021) as Self - Panellist
- Cinderella (2021) as Fabulous Godmother
- That's My Jam (2021) as Self - Guest
- That Damn Michael Che (2021)
- The Circuit (2021) as Self - Singer/Actor
- Where Love Lives: A Story of Dancefloor Culture & Expression (2021) as (Himself)
- Smoke, Lilies and Jade (2021)
- Sanctuary (2021) Writer
- 25 Years of Rent: Measured in Love (2021)
- The Drew Barrymore Show (2020) as Self
- Stars in the House (2020) as Self
- Dear... (2020) as Self
- Visible: Out on Television (2020) as Self
- Like a Boss (2020) as Barrett
- Equal (2020) as Narrator
- Pose-a-Thon for Pride (2020) as Self
- Together in Pride: You Are Not Alone (2020) as Self
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- Desus & Mero (2019) as Self - Illustrious Guest
- Tamron Hall (2019) as Self - Guest
- The Twilight Zone (2019)
- Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star (2019) as Self - Guest Judge
- POSE (2018) as Pray Tell
- Every Act of Life (2018) as Self
- Big Mouth (2017) as Ocean (voice)
- Big Mouth (2017)
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self - Guest
- The Late Late Show with James Corden (2015) as Self - Guest
- Celebrity Family Feud (2015) as Self
- Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter (2015) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self - Guest
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (2014) as Self
- Variety Studio: Actors on Actors (2014) as Self
- Trailblazer Honors (2014) as Self - Speaker
- The Humbling (2014) as Prince
- American Horror Story (2011) as Behold Chablis
- The Shoe (2011)
- Heart of Broadway: The Ensemble Behind Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (2011) as Himself
- Who Do You Think You Are? (2010) as Self
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- Indie Sex: Teens (2008)
- The Graham Norton Show (2007) as Self
- Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007) as Self
- Indie Sex (2007) as Self
- Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema (2006) as Self
- Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema (2006) Original Music Composer
- All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise (2006) as Himself
- Dancing with the Stars (2005) as Self - Guest Judge
- Project Runway (2004) as Self - Guest Judge
- Noel (2004) as Randy
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000) as Taylor
- Intern (2000) as Sebastian Niederfarb
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Jackie Walker
- Colorz of Rage (1999) as Street Performer
- The View (1997) as Self - Guest
- The View (1997) as Self
- Anastasia (1997) as Ensemble and Character Vocals (voice)
- The Daily Show (1996) as Self
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) as Self - Guest
- Twisted (1996) as Shiniqua, Angel's friend
- MTV Movie & TV Awards (1992) as Self - Presenter
- Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story (1991) as Little Richard
- Law & Order (1990) as Greg Ellison
- The Simpsons (1989) as Desmond (voice)
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) as Self - Guest
- MTV Video Music Awards (1984) as Self
- Raquel: Total Beauty and Fitness (1984)
- Olivier Awards (1981) as Self - Host
- Newsnight (1980) as Self
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- People's Choice Awards (1975) as Self - Presenter
- The Grammys (1959) as Self
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Presenter
- Broadway: The Next Generation as Self
- Camp as Mark
- Camp Director
- To Be Real Executive Producer
- To Be Real Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Billy Porter best known for?
Billy Porter is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026), Taiwan Canasta (1985), Accused (2023), 80 for Brady (2023).
When and where was Billy Porter born?
Billy Porter was born on September 21, 1969 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
How many credits does Billy Porter have?
Billy Porter has accumulated over 115 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2026.
What is Billy Porter's background in cinema and television?
Billy Porter is an American actor and singer. Born on September 21, 1969, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he gained notice performing on Broadway. Porter won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in Kinky Boots, as well as the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical and the Outer Critics Circ...