He burned up TV screens with his performance as Pray Tell, Master of 1980s Drag Ball Ceremonies, in the first season of POSE on FX. Season 2 of the series that brings new layers of LGBTQ representation to television starts June 11th. The role fits actor/singer Billy Porter like a pair of velvet opera gloves. In addition to POSE, he's been giving new life to red carpets. For instance, there was his fierce and fabulous Elizabeth Taylor-as-Cleopatra entrance at this year's Met Gala at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art.
His "Butterflies Are Free" outfit was to die for.
Billy Porter deserves every bit of success and spotlight exposure he's getting in his career right now. He has earned it. I want to share a short story with you. New Yorkers know Billy Porter as a stage veteran who's been in the game for quite some time. Back in the 90s, I saw him on Broadway in the revival of GREASE! He can also hit a homerun in movies when given a chance. Proof is a warm 2000 comedy about gay male friendships. This indie film a Pride Month recommendation from me. THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB follows a group of gay buddies in West Hollywood. They're on a softball team sponsored by the paternal gay man who owns the neighborhood restaurant where they usually hang out to discuss the ups and downs of their lives. The team sponsor, a gay senior they can count on for sage advice, is in their group of friends. It's refreshing to see a group of young gay men welcome an older gay man into their group. The cast includes the late John Mahoney (of FRASIER), Dean Cain, Zach Braff, Tim Olyphant, Justin Theroux and Billy Porter.
When Billy's character has a romantic experience that's the biggest bomb since SHANGHAI SURPRISE, you will love the scene where he turns to the fellows for solace. It's a hoot.
Billy won the Tony Award for Broadway's big hit musical version of the British comedy film KINKY BOOTS. The 2013 show rebooted his career. His career was in a bit off a lull. I ran into Billy during the lull. I was in one also and we were at a networking event for show biz types. It was 2008. I'd been a regular on Whoopi Goldberg's radio show. Unfortunately the show was canceled. I attended the networking event with my buddy, Keith Price, and when I saw Billy Porter, I said to Keith "I can't believe he needs to be here -- as talented as he is."
But that's show biz. We chatted. Billy knew me from local New York City TV. He could not have been more gracious and wished us all luck. He'd get frustrated during down times in his career, but he never lost his faith. Then he sent a Facebook message that he got a gig for a show in workshop. He had a very, very good feeling about the project -- as his feeling was accurate. It developed into KINKY BOOTS. Billy lit up Broadway as the motivational drag queen who changes lives and careers.
The last time I saw Billy in person, I ran into him in Broadway's theater district. I had to tell him how good he was in an indie film I saw. He was surprised anyone had seen it. I don't think 2014's THE HUMBLING, directed by Barry Levinson and co-written by Buck Henry, got a major nationwide release. It probably played to a few arthouses. The middle-aged stage actor at the center of the story has experiences that moviegoers may have found similar to those Michael Keaton's character had in the Oscar-winning BIRDMAN released that same year.
Nevertheless, this little-seen indie comedy/drama had something I'd never seen in all my life. Someone stole scenes from Al Pacino, the star of the film. Yes. Al Pacino. That someone was Billy Porter. He is a sophisticated comedy highlight in THE HUMBLING.
Billy had a Tony Award. He made a film in which he stole scenes from Al Pacino and still he was not getting the on-camera opportunities that he wanted so he could transition from stage to film and TV.
Billy recently was interviewed by The Los Angeles Times and talked about his frustration after his Tony win. He told L.A. Times entertainment reporter Yvonne Villarreal on June 3rd that he was "not having a whole lot o' luck crossing over from theater to film and TV..." and there was a lot of "dismissive attitude" towards what he does and what he brings to a project."
He never lost his focus. He never diluted what makes him special. He added, "I'm a true believer in speaking into existence what you want." He wrote in his personal journal and prayed that he could work with Ryan Murphy. Billy continued in his quest to book the kind of work that he wanted. The day after he had a mini-meltdown reaction to hearing another chorus of "No, no, no," he got a call to audition for -- Ryan Murphy, creator and producer of POSE.
There should be an Emmy nomination in Billy Porter's future.
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