- Born
- Height5′ 10″ (1.78 m)
- Before embarking on a career as a mainstream pop vocalist, Billy Porter built a substantial reputation as a theatrical singer in Broadway productions such as Grease and Smokey Joe's Cafe. He made his initial impact by placing 'Love Is On The Way' on the soundtrack to the film First Wives' Club, in 1996. His debut album, Untitled, was firmly anchored in traditional R&B territory, with several key ballads included (such as a cover version of Glenn Jones's 'Show Me') in an attempt to win over mainstream radio. His backing band featured several musicians better known for their work in the theatre, including Warren J. McCrae, Gary Haase and Peter Zizzo (his producer). Unsurprisingly for a multi-faceted performer, Porter's record company was keen for their artist to be seen live, and his support slot to Sounds Of Blackness in New York in May 1997 attracted some encouraging reviews prior to his own headlining dates.- IMDb mini biography by: Unknown <http://www.yahoo.com>
- SpouseAdam Smith(January 14, 2017 - 2023) (separated)
- ChildrenNo Children
- ParentsWilliam E. Porter
- RelativesMary Martha Ford(Sibling)Stephanie Harper(Cousin)
- Received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama from the College of Fine Arts (CFA) at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) (1991).
- Won Best Male Vocalist on Star Search (1983).
- He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theatre at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on December 1, 2022. His Walk of Fame star is located near the Pantages Theatre and Eastown.
- He had heard stories that his grandfather had been shot in the back when he was young. On the documentary series Who Do You Think You Are? (2010), he found out the real story. He did some research found some conflicting accounts about the death of his great-grandfather in 1923. In a white newspaper, it said that the policeman who shot him was worried that the great-grandfather would shoot him. In black newspapers, they reported the truth that the policeman had shot and killed other African Americans and that Billy's great-grandfather didn't have a gun. Billy wanted to know what happened and unsurprisingly the policeman got off on the murder charges.
- Attended Taylor Allderdice High School and graduated from the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School (1987).
- I'm done with teaching moments for people who don't want to learn nothing. I'm done!
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