Billy Porter’s extraordinary abilities as an actor, singer, and fashion icon have had a huge influence on the entertainment industry. Porter has gained a lot of notoriety for his variety and audacity thanks to his well-known Broadway and television appearances, notably his Emmy-winning portrayal in Pose. His financial success has generated curiosity in addition to his artistic accomplishments. Billy Porter’s net worth, the sources of his fortune, and the different revenue streams that have made him one of the most significant players in the entertainment business today will all be covered in this article.
Quick Introduction
Attribute | Details |
Full Name | William Ellis Porter II |
Born | September 21, 1969 |
Birthplace | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States |
Occupation | Actor, Singer, Fashion Icon |
Years Active | 1992 – Present |
Spouse | Adam Smith (m. 2017 div.2023) |
Net Worth | Estimated between $1 million and $5 million |
Billy Porter’s Personal Life
Billy Porter’s personal life, which frequently reflects his enthusiasm for activism and sincerity, has had an equally significant impact as his professional career. Porter, who was raised in Pittsburgh and was outspoken about his sexual orientation at a young age, has utilised his position to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, emphasising issues of visibility and acceptance. He has gained prominence in the LGBTQ+ community as a result of his advocacy efforts, which includes speaking out about the connection of racism and sexuality.
An important turning point in Porter’s personal life occurred in 2017 when he wed his long-time lover, Adam Smith, in a private ceremony. The bond between the two is evidence of Porter’s faith in self-expression and love. Porter is committed to charitable endeavours outside of work, lending assistance to groups that address social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and the arts.
Billy Porter’s Early Life
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 21, 1969, Billy Porter grew up in a devout family and gained a strong passion for the arts and community. At an early age, his love of performing was sparked, and he followed a career in the arts with the unflinching support of his family. Porter’s talent brought him to study musical theatre at the esteemed Carnegie Mellon University. His future success was made possible by this education, which gave him the tools he needed to succeed in the cutthroat world of Broadway.
Eager to establish himself on stage, Porter relocated to New York City after receiving his degree. He soon found success in the theatre industry because to his Carnegie Mellon background and natural aptitude. Porter quickly started landing parts, and his special combination of formal schooling and natural talent soon enabled him to establish himself in the very competitive entertainment sector.
Billy Porter’s Television And Flim Career
Billy Porter’s innovative portrayal of Pray Tell, a ballroom emcee in 1980s and 1990s New York, in Pose marked a significant advancement in his acting career from Broadway to television. He received a lot of praise for his strong performance in the show and won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Porter cemented his legacy in television history by becoming the first out gay Black man to receive this esteemed award.
Porter’s popularity on television carried over into other well-known endeavours. His flexibility was further demonstrated by his roles as the Fairy Godmother in Disney’s live-action Cinderella and in American Horror Story. His portrayal of the Fairy Godmother, a unique and daring take on the beloved character, showed that he could breathe new life into famous roles while also gaining more clout in Hollywood.
Billy Porter Net Worth
Depending on the source, Billy Porter’s estimated net worth might vary from $1 million to $5 million. His success in acting, music, and fashion, among other entertainment industries, is reflected in this collection. His riches has been greatly bolstered by his earnings from his music career, television roles, and major Broadway productions. His public appearances and fashion partnerships also contribute to his financial success.
Despite his financial success, the entertainment business is erratic, and happenings in the industry, endorsement deals, and the release of new films can all affect his earnings. Over the years, Porter has established a strong financial base because to his ability to stay consistent in both mainstream media and specialised industries.
Billy Porter’s Broadway Breakthrough: From Miss Saigon to Kinky Boots
Billy Porter’s work in the Miss Saigon revival marked the beginning of his Broadway career, but it was his portrayal as Lola in Kinky Boots that really made him famous. He demonstrated his exceptional acting and vocal abilities by winning a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2013 for his portrayal of the flamboyant drag queen. His career reached a turning point with this role, which cemented his standing as a Broadway titan.
With other Broadway parts in Grease and Angels in America, Porter carried on building on his success. His flexibility was demonstrated by his ability to switch between a variety of characters in both musicals and dramas, which won him praise from both audiences and reviewers. He has become one of Broadway’s most renowned and esteemed performers due to his outstanding contributions to the theatre.
Billy Porter - Music, Fashion, and Beyond
Billy Porter is not only a talented actor but also a skilled musician. His ability to combine pop, jazz, and soul music is demonstrated by the number of albums he has released over his musical career. Because it reimagined beloved Broadway songs, his album Billy Porter Presents: The Soul of Richard Rodgers earned very positive reviews.
Porter is a trendsetter in fashion, but his influence goes beyond the stage and screen. Porter, who is well-known for his daring and unorthodox fashion choices, has pushed the limits of self-expression in the fashion business and challenged conventional gender conventions using his position. His reputation as a fashion icon was solidified with his spectacular 2019 Met Gala ensemble, which included a striking tuxedo gown.
Fashion
Growing up in the black church—which Porter refers to as “a fashion show”—is what he owes to his early love of fashion. Over the years, his style has evolved through several stages, including geek chic, Abercrombie and Fitch, and vintage. According to him, he deliberately set out to be a “walking piece of political art” by using fashion in a political manner. As of January 2020, Porter’s stylist Sam Ratelle claimed that the two of them had collaborated on 150 red carpet ensembles, many of which were Porter’s own creations. Porter’s stylist as of 2021 is Ty Hunter, a former Beyoncé collaborator. He later gained notoriety for attending the Met Gala dressed in Gucci.
Porter made waves at the 2019 Golden Globes by donning a pink cape and embroidered suit created by Randi Rahm. He claimed that because he had always wanted to wear a ball gown and that others were shocked that he did, he asked Christian Siriano if he could make one for him. To him, it appeared to be a means of questioning conventional notions of masculinity. He made more fashion statements that year when he attended the 91st Academy Awards wearing a Christian Siriano velvet gown, a fitted tuxedo jacket, and six-inch Rick Owens boots.
For New York Fashion Week: Mens in February 2019, Porter served as an Official Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Ambassador. Porter’s attire, which was designed by the Blonds, featured a 24-karat gold helmet, a bejewelled catsuit with 10 feet (3.0 meters) of wings, unique gold-leaf Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, and exquisite gems by Oscar Heyman, John Hardy, and Andreoli.
Porter described his 2020 look as “Handmaid’s Tale realness” by wearing a floor-length pink poncho gown with a wide-brimmed black hat. He also wore an all-white outfit that included a tuxedo jacket with a feathered train to the Golden Globes and the AFI Awards. He attended the Grammy Awards wearing a motorised hat, a matching bolero, and a shimmering turquoise bodysuit.
Madame Tussauds New York honoured Billy Porter with a wax figure in June 2023.
Concerts
Porter has played at a number of New York City locations, such as Joe’s Pub and Lincoln Centre, where he was featured on PBS in 2015. Porter was the main act at London Pride in 2019.
Stephen Stills and Porter sang “For What It’s Worth” during the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Billy Porter -Albums
• 1997: Billy Porter (DV8/A&M Records)
• 2005: At the Corner of Broadway + Soul (Sh-K-Boom Records)
• 2014: Billy’s Back on Broadway (Concord Music Group)
• 2017: Billy Porter Presents the Soul of Richard Rodgers (Masterworks Broadway)
• 2023: Black Mona Lisa
Singles
• 1997: “Show Me”/”What Iz Time”
• 2005: “Awaiting You”/”Time” (Live) (Sh-K-Boom Records)
• 2007: Billy Porter – Somewhere
• 2009: Degrees Of Motion Featuring Billy Porter – Show Me
• 2017: “Edelweiss”
• 2019: “Love Yourself”
• 2020: “For What It’s Worth”
• 2020: The Shapeshifters feat. Billy Porter “Finally Ready”
• 2021: “Children”
Billy Porter - Other songs
• “Only One Road” on Love Rocks compilation album
• “Love Is on the Way” on The First Wives Club album
• “Destiny” with Jordan Hill on Jim Brickman’s Greatest Hits album
• “Where Is Love?” with Liz Callaway
Appears in
• Featured on a number of songs on tribute album It’s Only Life: The Songs of John Bucchino
• Sings “O Holy Night” on Rosie O’Donnell’s Christmas album, A Rosie Christmas (1999)
• Adam Guettel’s album Myths and Hymns in 1999
• He is featured with Alan Cumming, David Raleigh and Ari Gold in a cover of “That’s What Friends Are For”, for “The Friends Project” in support of the Ali Forney Center, a NYC shelter for homeless LGBT youth. The song was arranged and produced by Nathan Leigh Jones and directed by Michael Akers.
Billy Porter - Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1996 | Twisted | Siniqua | Â |
1996 | The First Wives Club | Singer | Â |
1997 | Ensemble and character voices | Â | |
2000 | The Intern | Sebastian Niederfarb | Â |
 | The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy | Taylor |  |
2004 | Noel | Randy | Â |
2014 | The Humbling | Prince | Â |
2020 | Like a Boss | Barrett | Â |
2021 | Cinderella | Â | |
2022 | Anything’s Possible | — | Directorial debut |
2023 | 80 for Brady | Gugu | Â |
 | Our Son | Gabriel |  |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1998 | Billy Rush | Unknown episodes | |
1999 | Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story | Television movie | |
2004 | Law & Order | Greg Ellison | Episode: “Cry Wolf” |
2007–12 | Performer | 4 episodes | |
2012 | The Big C | Eric | Episode: “Thin Ice” |
2013 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Jackie Walker | Episode: “Dissonant Voices” |
 | Land of Lola: Backstage at Kinky Boots | Host | 8 episodes |
2014 | Christmas at Rockefeller Plaza | Performer | Television special |
2015 | Billy Porter: Broad & Soul | Â | Â |
2016 | The Get Down | DJ Malibu | Episode: “Where There Is Ruin, There Is Hope for a Treasure” |
2018–21 | Pose | Pray Tell | 24 episodes Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor, Drama Series (2019) Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2019) Nominated—Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series (2019–2020) Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (2019–2020) Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2020) Nominated—Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Drama Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2021) |
2018 | American Horror Story: Apocalypse | Behold Chablis | 5 episodes |
2019 | Saturday Night Live | Himself | Episode: “David Harbour/Camila Cabello“ |
2019–2023 | Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve | Himself | New Orleans correspondent (2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23), Times Square correspondent (2020–21) |
2020 | The Simpsons | Desmond | Voice, episode: “Highway to Well” |
 | The Twilight Zone | Keith | Episode: “The Who of You” Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television |
 | Saturday Night Seder | Himself | Television special |
2021 | That … Michael Che | Atomic Twan / Security Guard | 2 episodes |
 | Recycle King | Voice, episode: “BURT! The Musical” | |
 | Gossip Girl | Himself | Episode: “Hope Sinks” |
2021–22 | Fairfax | Hiroki Hassan | Voice, 6 episodes |
2022–23 | The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder | Randall Leibowitz-Jenkins | Voice, 5 episodes |
2023 | Black + Iconic | Host | Episode: “Style Gods” |
 | Dancing with the Stars | Guest Judge | Season 32 |
Theater
• Miss Saigon, Ensemble/John (u/s), Broadway (1991)
• Grease, Teen Angel, Broadway (1994)
• The Merchant of Venice, Solanio, Off-Broadway (1995)
• Songs for a New World, performer, Off-Broadway (1995)
• Smokey Joe’s Cafe, performer, Broadway (1995–97)
• Miss Saigon, John (replacement), Broadway (1998–99)
• Jesus Christ Superstar, Jesus of Nazareth, Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center, Nyack, NY (1998)
• Dreamgirls, James Thunder Early, New York Actors Fund concert (September 2001)
• Radiant Baby, Various, Off-Broadway (2003)
• Topdog/Underdog, City Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA (2004)
• Little Shop of Horrors, Audrey ll (replacement), Broadway (2004)
• Chef’s Theater: A Musical Feast, Performer, Off-Broadway (2004)
• Ghetto Superstar, Performer, Off-Broadway (2005) – also playwright
• Putting It Together, performer, New York (2009)
• Angels in America, Belize, Off-Broadway (2010)
• Kinky Boots, Lola, Broadway (2013–2015)
• Kinky Boots, Lola (replacement), Tour (2014)
• HAM: A Musical Memoir, Off-Broadway (2015) – director
• Shuffle Along, or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, Aubrey Lyles, Broadway (2016)
• White Rabbit Red Rabbit, Off-Broadway (2016)
• Kinky Boots, Lola (replacement), Broadway (2017)
Awards and Nominations
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
2013 | Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards | Favorite Leading Actor in a Broadway Musical | Kinky Boots | Won | Â |
 |  | Favorite Funny Performance |  | Nominated |  |
 |  | Best Onstage Pair with Stark Sands |  | Nominated |  |
 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award |  | Nominated |  |
 | Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical |  | Won |  | |
 | Fred and Adele Astaire Awards | Outstanding Male Dancer in a Broadway Musical Show |  | Nominated |  |
 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical |  | Won |  |
 | Tony Awards | Best Leading Actor in a Musical |  | Won |  |
2014 | Grammy Awards | Best Musical Theater Album | Â | Won | Â |
2017 | GLAAD Media Awards | Vito Russo Award | Â | Won | Â |
2019 | Critics’ Choice Awards | Best Television Drama Series Actor | Pose | Nominated | Â |
 | Dorian Awards | TV Performance of the Year – Actor |  | Won |  |
 |  | TV Musical Performance of the Year | “Home” (with Mj Rodriguez and Our Lady J) | Won |  |
 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | Pose | Won |  |
 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama | Pose | Nominated |  |
 | Television Critics Association | Individual Achievement in Drama |  | Nominated |  |
2020 | Critics’ Choice Awards | Best Television Drama Series Actor | Â | Nominated | Â |
 | Dorian Awards | TV Performance of the Year – Actor |  | Won |  |
 |  | Wilde Wit of the Year |  | Nominated |  |
 |  | Wilde Artist of the Decade |  | Nominated |  |
 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama | Pose | Nominated |  |
 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series |  | Nominated |  |
 | Queerties | … of the Year |  | Won |  |
 | Black Reel Television Awards | Outstanding Actor, Drama Series | Pose | Nominated |  |
2021 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | Â | Nominated | Â |
 | Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation | Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS award (with Anthony Fauci, Sandra Thurman and amFAR) |  | Won |  |
2022 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama | Pose | Nominated | Â |
 | Tony Award | A Strange Loop (producer) | Won |  | |
2023 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television) | The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder | Nominated | Â |
2024 | Tony Awards | Isabelle Stevenson Award | Recognition of his work with Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and Entertainment Community Fund. | Honored | Â |
FAQ.
1Q. What is Billy Porter net worth?
Billy Porter’s success in acting, music, and fashion is reflected in his estimated net worth, which ranges from $1 million to $5 million.
2Q. How did Billy Porter become famous?
Porter rose to fame with his Tony-winning role in Kinky Boots and his Emmy-winning performance in Pose.
3Q. What other industries is Billy Porter involved in?
In addition to performing, Porter has influenced fashion and music by fusing several genres and questioning conventional gender roles.
4Q. Did Billy Porter face any financial challenges?
Porter faced financial difficulties due to the 2023 strikes and sold his home to adjust to the changing financial landscape.
5Q. What are Billy Porter’s most notable achievements?
Porter’s major achievements include a Tony Award for Kinky Boots and an Emmy for Pose, along with becoming a fashion icon.
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