Billy Porter

Billy Porter

Birthday: September 21
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Billy Porter is an American singer and actor.

He attended the Musical Theater program at Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School's School of Drama, graduated from Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, and achieved fame performing on Broadway before starting a solo career as a singer and actor.

Billy Porter is an American singer and actor.

He attended the Musical Theater program at Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School's School of Drama, graduated from Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, and achieved fame performing on Broadway before starting a solo career as a singer and actor.

Porter won the 2013 Best Actor in a Musical for his role as Lola in Kinky Boots at the 67th Tony Awards. He credits the part for "cracking open" his feminine side to confront toxic masculinity. For the role, Porter also won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical and Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical.

He currently stars in the television series Pose, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and won the 2019 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, becoming the first openly gay black man to be nominated and win in any lead acting category at the Primetime Emmys.

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Awards & Nominations

3 Nominations | 1 Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series - 2021
  • Nominee
  • Billy Porter, as Pray Tell
  • Pose
  • FX Networks
  • 20th Television
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series - 2020
  • Nominee
  • Billy Porter, as Pray Tell
  • Pose
  • FX Networks
  • Fox21 Television Studios and FX Productions
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series - 2019
  • Winner
  • Billy Porter, as Pray Tell
  • Pose
  • FX Networks
  • Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions

The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more

Billy Porter arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Billy Porter and Michaela Jae Rodriguez presents an award at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Billy Porter arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

Billy Porter arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

Billy Porter and Carolyn Strauss at the 71st Emmys Governors Ball.
Billy Porter at the 71st Emmys Governors Ball.
Kerry Washington presents an award to Billy Porter at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Billy Porter accepts his award at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Billy Porter on the red carpet at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Billy Porter presents an award to John Oliver at the 71st Emmy Awards.
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Fill 1
Billy Porter arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Camera

Billy Porter arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Billy Porter and Michaela Jae Rodriguez presents an award at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Camera

Billy Porter and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez present the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the 73rd Emmy Awards 

Invision/AP
Billy Porter arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

Camera

Billy Porter arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Billy Porter arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

Camera

Billy Porter arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Billy Porter and Carolyn Strauss at the 71st Emmys Governors Ball.
Camera

Billy Porter and Carolyn Strauss at the 71st Emmys Governors Ball.

Invision/AP
Billy Porter at the 71st Emmys Governors Ball.
Camera

Billy Porter at the 71st Emmys Governors Ball. 

Invision/AP
Kerry Washington presents an award to Billy Porter at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Camera

Kerry Washington presents an award to Billy Porter at the 71st Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Billy Porter accepts his award at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Camera

Billy Porter accepts his award at the 71st Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Billy Porter on the red carpet at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Camera

Billy Porter on the red carpet at the 71st Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Billy Porter presents an award to John Oliver at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Camera

Billy Porter presents an award to John Oliver at the 71st Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
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