Received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama from the College of Fine Arts (CFA) at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) (1991).

Won Best Male Vocalist on Star Search (1983).

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theatre at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on December 1, 2022. His Walk of Fame star is located near the Pantages Theatre and Eastown.

Attended Taylor Allderdice High School and graduated from the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School (1987).

He had heard stories that his grandfather had been shot in the back when he was young. On the documentary series Who Do You Think You Are? (2010), he found out the real story. He did some research found some conflicting accounts about the death of his great-grandfather in 1923. In a white newspaper, it said that the policeman who shot him was worried that the great-grandfather would shoot him. In black newspapers, they reported the truth that the policeman had shot and killed other African Americans and that Billy's great-grandfather didn't have a gun. Billy wanted to know what happened and unsurprisingly the policeman got off on the murder charges.

He won the 2013 Tony Award for "Kinky Boots" (Best Leading Actor in a Musical); and the 2022 Tony Award as a producer for "A Strange Loop" (Best Musical).

Received his graduate certificate from the Professional Program in Screenwriting at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Friends with Rosie O'Donnell.

He credits his portrayal of Lola in "Kinky Boots" on Broadway for "cracking open" his feminine side to help him to confront toxic masculinity.

When he won the 2019 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, he was the first openly gay black man to be nominated for and win in any lead acting category from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Primetime Emmy Awards.

Awarded the 2014 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for his part as Lola on the cast album for "Kinky Boots".

Won the 2013 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (in recognition of achievements in the theatre among Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway productions,) for his portrayal of Lola on "Kinky Boots.

Winner of the 2012-2013 season's Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical theatrical achievement in both on Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, for his portrayal of Lola on "Kinky Boots".

Brother of Mary Martha Ford.

Cousin of Stephanie Harper.