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| Just a working actor? | |
| Last Edit: KingSpeed 05:52 pm EDT 03/21/22 | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 05:47 pm EDT 03/21/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Billy Porter - Chazwaza 05:21 pm EDT 03/21/22 | |
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| Billy was absolutely a celebrity before Pose. In addition to his high profile theater gigs, he made several appearances on Rosie and The Tonight Show. He released an album and one of the songs “Love Is On The Way” was on the soundtrack for “The First Wives Club” and it got radio play. He also had principal roles in the movies “Twisted” and “The Broken Hearts Club.” He was also a guest on Oprah in 2005. Then his career did slow down before hitting with Kinky Boots which led to Pose and a revival of his career. | |
| Link | “Love is on the Way” |
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| re: Just a working actor? | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 08:08 pm EDT 03/21/22 | |
| In reply to: Just a working actor? - KingSpeed 05:47 pm EDT 03/21/22 | |
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| Apologies, and all due respect to you and Billy.... but nothing you've said in this post comes close to convincing me that he was at the level of "celebrity" prior to Kinky Boots. But even with Kinky Boots, starring in a hit show or even winning a Tony, your level of fame can be pretty contained compared to the kind of "celebrity" that would be expecting to be treated like a movie star with fans and paparazzi around them often. I've worked with and interacted with an truly massive number of theater stars and tv stars and movie stars, both the ones I'd call "celebrities" and ones that are like Billy pre-Kinky Boots and also post Tony win but pre-Pose. I don't think any of them, including the true A-listers I've worked with, would do what that post describes Billy doing at that private party to someone invited to be there. | |
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| re: Just a working actor? | |
| Posted by: BruceinIthaca 07:45 pm EDT 03/21/22 | |
| In reply to: Just a working actor? - KingSpeed 05:47 pm EDT 03/21/22 | |
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| Well, a celebrity to pretty small demographic, I'd say. I always thought him talented--loved him on the revival CD of "Grease." But I found his acting wooden and pretty one-note on "Pose" (a show I was not all that fond of--and I did love "Paris is Burning" and had friends who died of AIDS, as well as some (hurrah) who continue to live thirty years later to tell the tale, so it's not like I have no consciousness about the issues). That he won an Emmy for it didn't surprise me--awards often go to a person for what their role or show signifies at that moment in the culture, as much as anything. I think he was known primarily by show queens and fans of indie gay movies (I am both). So, depends on where you draw the line at celebrity. Heck, I know someone who goes by the name C-List Actor" on a website and he is heralded as a celebrity there (and is well-liked, including by me.) | |
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| re: Just a working actor? | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 07:52 pm EDT 03/21/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Just a working actor? - BruceinIthaca 07:45 pm EDT 03/21/22 | |
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| That’s sweet, Bruce. Makes my day. | |
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| re: Just a working actor? | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 05:54 pm EDT 03/21/22 | |
| In reply to: Just a working actor? - KingSpeed 05:47 pm EDT 03/21/22 | |
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| Another fun link when he was in the closet but very much a well known singer. | |
| Link | Show Me |
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