Last year, during the historic 118-day SAG-AFTRA strike, Billy Porter was one of the bigger names to speak up about the financial strain of the prolonged contract negotiations. “I have to sell my house,” the Pose actor told The Evening Standard. While some may not have believed that a star as in-demand and acclaimed as Porter (he has a Tony, an Emmy, and a Grammy under his belt) would need to sell his house to stay afloat while on hiatus, the Pittsburgh native made it clear to the publication that for him, the struggle was real. “I don’t know when we’re gonna go back [to work],” he said at the time. “The life of an artist, until you make f***-you money—which I haven’t made yet—is still check-to-check.”
That was back in August. Fast forward to today, and the Kinky Boots star is busy as ever with a new album and a James Baldwin biopic in the works. Despite being back on the job, Porter is still selling his house, which has been listed by Loretta Drew of Old Purchase Properties, per TMZ.
“Just because you are working does not mean you are rich,” Porter told Page Six a few weeks ago. “I am a blue collar freelance worker, period. I was on strike for 118 days. Ain’t no checks coming in when that happened.”
Priced at $2.5 million, the new owners will be getting a lot of house for their money. Located in Bellport Village, a Long Island beach town about two hours away from New York City, the 4,500-square-foot dwelling was Porter’s first home purchase. The four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom abode sits on a little over an acre of property and is a 10-minute walk from the beach. Built in 1975, the modernist-style build is aesthetically minimalist with several picture windows and glass sliding doors.
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Vaulted ceilings dominate the first floor, where the rooms flow seamlessly into one another. The living room features hardwood floors, a cozy fireplace surrounded by floor-to-ceiling stone, and glass doors opening to the patio. The expansive kitchen is outfitted with stainless steel appliances, blonde wood counters and cabinets, and double sinks. The kitchen leads into one of the home’s statement features: a sunny solarium. The primary suite boasts a seating area, office space, and dual bathrooms. Other highlights of the abode include a media room, a laundry room, a wine room, a gym, a three-car garage, and a tree house.
