WHO | HONOREE Billy Porter
EMCEE
Lupita Sanchez Cornejo, Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
GUEST SPEAKERS Porter’s sister Mary Martha Ford and his manager Bill Butler
WHAT Dedication of the 2,741st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
WHEN Thursday, December 1, at 11:30 a.m. PT
WHERE 6201 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028
Actor Billy Porter was honored today with the 2,741st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Live Performance/Live Theatre. The star was dedicated at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard near the Pantages Theatre and East Town.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has proudly hosted the globally iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame since 1960. The Chamber exists to transform business and improve lives. Through the Walk of Fame, the Chamber celebrates the business that transforms us all – the business of entertainment. Entertainment is a unique blend of art and enterprise; elevating and inspiring us all.
ABOUT OUR HONOREE
“We are thrilled to be honoring award-winning actor Billy Porter with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His performances leave everyone wanting more!” stated Walk of Fame Producer Ana Martinez. “Billy is known for his amazing attire and I cannot wait to see what he will be wearing on his special day,” she added.
Joining emcee Lupita Sanchez Cornejo for the star unveiling were Porter’s sister Mary Martha Ford and his long-time manager Bill Butler.
Billy Porter is an Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award-winning, and Golden Globe-nominated, actor, singer, director, composer, and playwright from Pittsburgh, PA.
His electric portrayal of ‘Pray Tell’ in the FX’s breakthrough series “Pose,” earned him the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, as well as Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Award, and Television Critics Association nominations. He most recently earned a third Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for this role. He was also the recipient of the Dorian Award for TV Performance of the Year from GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, as well as nominated for a Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor.
Previously, Porter starred in the eighth season of Ryan Murphy’s acclaimed series “American Horror Story: Apocalypse” as ‘Behold Chablis’, HBO Max’s “That Damn Michael Che,” the second season of CBS All Access’ “The Twilight Zone,” and narrating HBO Max’s four-part docu-series “Equal”.
On screen, he recently starred in Amazon Prime’s “Cinderella” re-make as the Fab G, alongside Camila Cabello and Idina Menzel. Porter also recently appeared in the Paramount Players comedy “Like a Boss,” alongside Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne and Salma Hayek, and Baz Luhrman’s “The Get Down,” starring Justice Smith, Shameik Moore and Herizen Guardiola. His other television credits include “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “The Big C,” “Law & Order,” “Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story” and “Another World.” Under the direction of Barry Levinson, Porter starred in The Humbling, alongside Al Pacino and Greta Gerwig. His other film credits include Noel, The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy, Intern, Anastasia and Twisted.
Upcoming, he will star in Our Son alongside Luke Evans, direct a queer teen comedy from Gabrielle Union’s I’ll Have Another Productions, titled To Be Real, and direct an episode of Fox’s anthology series Accused. His feature directorial debut Anything’s Possible, a coming-of age film written by Ximena García Lecuona, was released on July 22nd on Amazon Prime Video.
A veteran of the theatre, Porter most previously reprised his role as ‘Lola’ in the smash hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots, for which he won the 2013 Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. Other Broadway acting credits include the Tony nominated Broadway musical, Shuffle Along, directed by George C. Wolfe. Miss Saigon, Five Guys Named Moe, Grease, Smokey Joe’s Café and Dreamgirls (20th Anniversary Broadway Concert and LA Ovation Award). He won his second Tony Award in 2022 for “Best Musical” as a producer on A Strange Loop.
As a recording artist, Porter most recently released his single Stranger Things under his new record deal with Island Records (UK) and Republic Records (US). He also recently released Finally Ready with The Shapeshifters in June 2020, as well as For What It’s Worth in April 2020 to motivate potential voters. In June 2019, he released his single Love Yourself, in support of Pride Month and the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall. His most recent album, The Soul of Richard Rodgers, was released in 2017 on Sony Masterworks. His solo albums include his first CD, Untitled, on A&M records and his sophomore album, At the Corner of Broadway + Soul – LIVE. Additionally, Billy’s Back on Broadway was released in 2014. Featuring ten classics made famous on the Great White Way that focus on inspiration, empowerment and hope, the album’s title (and cover art) is a nod to Sammy Davis, Jr.’s recording Sammy’s Back on Broadway.
Additionally, Porter’s voice can be heard on the albums A Very Rosie Christmas, Jim Brickman’s Destiny (top ten AC hit), Grease (revival cast album), Adam Guettel’s Myths & Hymns, Gershwin and Sondheim Benefit Albums, Hercules (Disney) and Anastasia (Warner Bros.), Liz Callaway – The Story Goes On, Alvin Ailey/Revelations, Broadway Cares Home For The Holidays, Dreamgirls in Concert, HAIR (Actor’s Fund Benefit recording), Great Joy: A Gospel Christmas (with The Broadway Inspirational Voices) and Love Rocks.
His original song Time has been featured twice on the mega-hit television series “So You Think You Can Dance” as well as the 2011 Miss America Pageant. Porter’s concerts credits include opening act for Rosie O’Donnell and Aretha Franklin, Carnegie Hall, John McDaniel and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, as well as The Buffalo Philharmonic, Peter Nero and The Philly Pops, soloist for President Bill Clinton and various benefits throughout the U.S.
As a director, Porter’s work includes the The Purists, as well as revivals of George C. Wolf’s plays, The Colored Museum and Top Dog/Underdog at the prestigious Huntington Theater. In addition, Porter has also directed a critically acclaimed recreation of The Wiz and conceived a musical revue entitled Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Music of Stevie Wonder, which starred Chaka Khan and ran at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas in the spring of 2002.
Furthermore, Porter conceived and directed Being Alive, which made its world premiere in the summer of 2007 at The Westport Country Playhouse and immediately transferred to The Philadelphia Theatre Company, inaugurating their new Suzanne Roberts Theatre.
His additional directing credits include Twilight In Manchego, Once On This Island (NAACP Theatre Award Winner), The Soul of Richard Rodgers, Five Guys Named Moe, Altar Boyz, RENT (Associate Director: Off-Broadway Revival) and Wicked Summer Nights Concert Series. Porter made his London directorial debut in the fall of 2009 with Olivier Award Nominee Patina Miller at Live in the Delfont Room. Primary Stages presented the highly successful World Premiere of While I Yet Live, which he wrote, that played at the off Broadway Duke Theater.
Porter released his first literary project, “Unprotected,” in October 2021, which was published by Abrams Press. The memoir is described as ‘a powerful and revealing autobiography about race, sexuality, art, and healing.’
Porter is also a graduate of The Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA and is an adjunct professor at his alma mater Carnegie Mellon University’s School Of Drama, where he has directed productions of Company and Letters From ‘Nam. Additionally, Porter has received an honorary doctorate from Washington & Jefferson College.
In 2017, Porter was the recipient of the GLAAD Vito Russo Award, an award presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for the LGBT community.
