BILLY PORTER: FROM BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
Billy Porter is a name that has been on everyone’s lips since his iconic role as Pray Tell in the hit TV show Pose. But Billy Porter’s rise to fame did not happen overnight. He has been in the entertainment industry for over three decades gracing the stage as a Broadway star, behind the scenes as a director, and on our screens as an actor.
Born on September 21, 1969, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Billy’s love for entertainment began at the age of 5. He would sing and act for his mother, who was a devout church-goer. At the age of 17, Billy would go on to attend the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School where he continued to hone his craft. After graduating high school, Billy moved to New York to attend Carnegie Mellon University drama school. But instead of finishing his degree, he landed his first role in the Broadway production Miss Saigon. This was just the beginning of a successful career that would see him become a household name in Hollywood.
BILLY PORTER’S RISE TO FAME AND NET WORTH
Billy Porter has come a long way since his days in Broadway. With an illustrious career that spans over three decades, Billy has amassed a net worth of $4.5 million. His breakthrough role came in 2013 after he appeared in the Broadway production Kinky Boots, for which he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. This opened doors for him in the TV and film industry, landing him roles such as Lola in the 2019 Little Mermaid Live! and more recently, Pray Tell in the critically acclaimed drama Pose. It is said that he earned $100,000 per episode for his role in Pose. He has also appeared in movies such as The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy, and Gayby.
Aside from his success in entertainment, Billy has also been an activist, vocal about issues such as LGTBQ rights and Black Lives Matter. In 2019, he made headlines for wearing a custom-made Christian Siriano tuxedo gown to the Oscars, which he said was his way of challenging gender roles and breaking down barriers. He is also a philanthropist, supporting causes such as the It Gets Better Project, the Ali Forney Center, M•A•C VIVA GLAM, and the Actors Fund COVID-19 Emergency Relief.
In conclusion, Billy Porter is an icon in every sense of the word. From his humble beginnings as a boy in Pittsburgh to becoming a Hollywood superstar, he has made an indelible mark in the entertainment industry. With his talent, courage, activism, and compassion, Billy has become a role model worthy of emulation.
