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Billy Porteris taking on the role of a lifetime.
On Wednesday, Allen Media Group Motion Pictures announced that Porter, 53, is set to play celebrated author and civil rights activist James Baldwin in an upcoming biopic, according to multiple outlets.
“I am because James was. I stand on James Baldwin’s shoulders, and I intend to expand his legacy for generations to come,” the actor added the statement.
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Porter stands one Oscar away from achieving EGOT status; hewon a Tony Award in 2013for his performance inKinky Bootsandreceived a Grammy Awardfor the production’s album the same year. In 2019, the actor was the first openly gay Black man to be nominated and subsequently win anEmmy Award, which hewon for his performance as Pray Tellin FX’sPose.
The actor notably quoted Baldwin at the top of his acceptance speech at the 71st Emmys, saying: “James Baldwin said, ‘[it] took many year of vomiting up all the filth that I had been taught about myself and halfway believed before I could walk around this earth like I had the right to be here.’ "
“I have the right, you have the right, we all have the right,” Porter added at the time.
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Baldwin died from stomach cancer in 1987 at age 63, according toThe New York Times’obituary. The celebrated author is remembered for works such asNotes of a Native Son,The Fire Next Time,Go Tell it on the MountainandIf Beale Street Could Talk, whichBarry Jenkinsadapted into the 2018 Oscar-winning movie of the same name.
A 2017 documentary titledI Am Not Your Negro, based on Baldwin’s writings, received anominationfor Best Documentary Feature at the 89th Oscars.
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“Billy Porter and Dan McCabe’s talent and commitment to amplifying James Baldwin’s legacy and contributions are invaluable and unmatched for this unique and epic story,” the producer added in a statement.
Porter most recently appeared on the big screen in February’s sports comedy release80 for Brady.
source: people.com
