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Billy Porter held back tears on TODAY and said it was “a gift to be alive” as he recalled a bout of sepsis that left him in a coma for three days last fall. <\/p>\n
Porter, 56, was slated to perform as Emcee for 13 weeks<\/a> in a Broadway revival of “Cabaret” when he was felled in September 2025 by sepsis<\/a>, when the body’s response to an infection turns life-threatening, according to Mayo Clinic<\/a>. The production cut its run short after Porter had to withdraw from the show. <\/p>\n Sepsis can result in a rapid drop in blood pressure and cause damage to the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs, per Mayo Clinic.<\/p>\n Porter opened up on TODAY on March 17 about the ordeal. He said it began with a urinary infection that was “not treated properly,” and the infection spread to his kidneys.<\/p>\n “Ended up with kidney stones stuck in the urethra, infection bubbled up into my bloodstream, urosepsis, ECMO machine, three days in a coma, compartment syndrome in my leg,” Porter recalled. <\/p>\n An ECMO machine takes over heart and lung function so the organs can rest and recover in life-threatening situations. Compartment syndrome is a painful condition where pressure reduces blood flow to muscles and nerves, according to Cleveland Clinic<\/a>. It’s most common in legs and can be a medical emergency. <\/p>\n “Really, really serious,” Porter said. “I am on the road to complete recovery. It is a gift to be alive. It’s still emotional to talk about it, and I’m just really happy to be here.” <\/p>\n Porter had previously played Emcee in the show\u2019s West End production from Jan. 28, 2025, through May 24, 2025, per Playbill.<\/a> He was starring opposite Marisha Wallace as Sally Bowles in the fall production of the show before his hospitalization. <\/p>\n The multitalented Porter, whose new children’s book, “Songbird in the the Light,” was released on March 17, has taken his survival as a sign to push to achieve even more. <\/p>\n “It’s been really mind-altering \u2014 also inspiring,” he said. “My work here on this Earth is not done, and that gives me hope.” <\/p>\n Given his success as a writer, director, fashion luminary and screen and stage actor, Porter was asked what’s next for him after surviving the health scare.<\/p>\n “You know, I’m trying to rule the world,” he said. “I have a production company. I’m trying to create my own material, create my own work from the perspective of where I lean, which is love and hope. I’m a hope guy. We choose it. We choose love. We choose hope. We choose peace. We choose joy, and I’m working on that.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n