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Billy Porter Biography

Birth Name:Billy Porter

Birth Place:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Director, Producer, Music department

Fast Facts

  • Won a 2013 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical
  • In 2013, he won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album
  • Won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2013
  • Earned his BFA in Drama at the Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts and Studied screenwriting as a graduate student at UCLA
  • Was inspired by seeing the cast of "Dreamgirls" on a 1982 telecast of the Tony Awards
  • Quote: "I don't in any way disparage any time I've had in the trenches because it really has made me the artist I am today․"
  • Quote: "I would be in this regardless, no matter if I was having an award or not․"
  • His theater credits include such musicals as "Grease," "Five Guys Named Moe" and "Smokey Joe's Café․"
  • His first, self-titled album was released in 1997, followed by "At the Corner of Broadway + Soul" in 2005 and "Kinky Boots Cast Recording" in 2013
  • During periods of irregular employment he devoted himself to bettering himself as an artist

Awards

  • 2019Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, Drama Series: winner
  • 2019Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2019Dorian Award-TV Performance of the Year - Actor: winner
  • 2019Dorian Award-TV Musical Performance of the Year: winner
  • 2019Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Lead Actor: winner
  • 2019Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Actor of the Decade: nominated
  • 2019Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 2019IGN Award-Best Dramatic TV Performance: nominated
  • 2019INOCA TV-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2019OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2019TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: nominated
  • 2020Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, Drama Series: nominated
  • 2020Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2020Dorian Award-TV Performance of the Year - Actor: winner
  • 2020Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Actor: nominated
  • 2020Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 2020Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2020OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2021Saturn Award-Best Guest Performance in a Television Series: nominated
  • 2021Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, Drama Series: nominated
  • 2021Dorian Award-Best TV Performance: nominated
  • 2021Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Actor: nominated
  • 2021HCA Award-Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama: winner
  • 2021OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2021Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2022Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor - Television: nominated
  • 2022Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2022Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 2022Image Award-Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television): nominated
  • 2022Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2023Image Award-Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television): nominated