Billy Porter Gives a Tearful Health Update on TODAY After Almost Dying from Sepsis Billy Porter shared a heartfelt account of his health struggles on TODAY, describing his near-death experience with sepsis as a "gift to be alive" after spending three days in a coma last fall. The 56-year-old actor, known for his role as Emcee in the Broadway revival of Cabaret, revealed that the illness forced him to withdraw from the production, which had been set to run for 13 weeks. Porter explained that his ordeal began with a urinary tract infection that was not properly treated, leading to a severe complication. The infection spread to his kidneys, resulting in kidney stones lodged in his urethra. This eventually triggered sepsis, a life-threatening condition where the body’s response to an infection causes systemic inflammation and organ failure. He described being placed on an ECMO machine, which supports heart and lung function during critical moments, and enduring compartment syndrome in his leg—a painful condition that restricts blood flow to muscles and nerves. Sepsis, according to the Mayo Clinic, can rapidly lower blood pressure and damage vital organs like the lungs, kidneys, and liver. Porter emphasized the severity of his condition, noting that it required intensive medical intervention. Despite the trauma, he expressed gratitude for his recovery, stating, "I am on the road to complete recovery. It is a gift to be alive." He admitted the experience remains emotionally challenging but acknowledged the importance of his survival. Porter had previously performed as Emcee in the West End production of Cabaret from January to May 2025, starring alongside Marisha Wallace as Sally Bowles. His hospitalization disrupted the fall Broadway run, which he had been set to join.#today_show #billy_porter #cabaret_broadway #marisha_wallace #songbird_in_the_light
