Billy Porter

Porter in 2018, photo by Prphotos

Birth name: William Ellis Porter II

Place of Birth: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 21, 1969

Ethnicity: African-American

Billy Porter is an American stage performer, pop singer, actor, vocal coach, and writer. He is known for his roles on the series Pose and in the film Cinderella (2021).

Billy is the son of Cloerinda/Clorinda Jean (Johnson) and William Ellis Porter. He is married to Adam Smith.

Billy’s paternal grandfather was named Almzo T. Ferris. Almzo was born in Aroda, Virginia.

Billy’s paternal grandmother was Lola A. Henderson (the daughter of Henry/Harry Henderson and Adeline/Adaline Fletcher). Lola was born in Columbiana, Ohio. Henry was the son of Sam Henderson and Lucinda Hite. Billy’s great-grandmother Adeline was the daughter of James Fletcher and Anna Ellis, whose parents, Patrick Ellis and Adeline/Adaline Gladman, were Free People of Color, in Virginia and then Ohio.

Billy’s maternal grandfather was named James Johnson.

Billy’s maternal grandmother was named Martha Richardson (the daughter of Thomas Henry Richardson and Mary). Thomas was the son of Stephen Richardson. Thomas was shot and killed in the back by a white police officer, while unarmed, in 1923, in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh; in what was a controversial case.