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Charles F. Porter, actor, producer and mentor, dies aged 47
Developing story first seen 4 hours ago
New details highlight the breadth of Charles F. Porter’s work beyond acting and producing: he was also a model, poet, youth football coach and mentor. The actor and producer, who championed inspirational independent films and opportunities for Black artists, died aged 47 at his home in Calabasas after a 17½-year battle with Hodgkin lymphoma, his family said.
Porter founded Black Bench Productions and was the guiding force behind *Finding Faith*, released in cinemas in 2025 before airing on Lifetime. His producing credits also included BET+ films *A Miracle Before Christmas* and *Christmas Angel*; he played pioneering Black NASCAR driver Wendell Scott in an ESPN film. Born in Oxford, England, he attended Duke University and played defensive tackle; he is survived by his wife and two daughters.
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In short
- Porter died aged 47 after a long battle with Hodgkin lymphoma.
- He produced *Finding Faith* and championed independent films.
- He was also an actor, poet, model, coach and mentor.
How this story developed
- 2 hours ago Further details highlighted Porter’s role in creating opportunities for Black artists through Black Bench Productions and projects including Finding Faith, A Miracle Before Christmas and Christmas Angel, alongside his portrayal of NASCAR pioneer Wendell Scott; he was born in Oxford, attended Duke University and is survived by his wife and two daughters.
- 2 hours ago Charles F. Porter, an actor, producer, model, poet, youth football coach and mentor, died aged 47 at his home in Calabasas after a 17½-year battle with Hodgkin lymphoma, his family said.
Full account
Charles F. Porter, an actor, producer and advocate for independent filmmaking, has died aged 47. His death was announced by his wife, Candice Tab-Porter. The Hollywood Reporter said he died on Monday at home in Calabasas after living with Hodgkin lymphoma for 17½ years; Deadline also reported that he died on Monday following a long cancer battle.
Porter’s screen work included television appearances on The Parkers, House, Without a Trace and Bones. In 2011 he played pioneering Black NASCAR driver Wendell Scott in the ESPN film Wendell Scott: A Race Story. His film roles included the thriller Nailed, which he also produced, and a small part in Peppermint. He also appeared in Holla and Johnny Was.
As founder of Black Bench Productions, Porter developed, financed and produced independent films, with a focus on stories of faith, family and resilience and opportunities for Black artists. He was a driving force behind Finding Faith, released in cinemas in 2025 before its run on Lifetime, and produced the BET+ films A Miracle Before Christmas and Christmas Angel. His other producing credits included Battered and Grace Point. He was an executive producer and early investor in the forthcoming Last Meals, and was developing further faith-based projects when he died.
Born in Oxford, England, Porter moved to the United States as a child and studied cultural anthropology at Duke University, where he played college football. A back injury ended his hopes of playing professionally. Beyond acting and producing, he worked as a model and published three poetry books. The Hollywood Reporter also noted that he was writing a fourth, inspired by a change in his blood type after one of three bone marrow transplants. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Juliette and Layla.
Where outlets differ
From the full account, which is AI-written from the sources:
The Hollywood Reporter gives the specific diagnosis, Hodgkin lymphoma, the reported duration of his illness and the location of his death; Deadline describes a long cancer battle without those details.
The Hollywood Reporter gives a broader account of Porter’s producing work, modelling and poetry, while Deadline foregrounds his acting career and reports that he lost 65 pounds after his football injury.
The reports describe his role in Finding Faith differently: The Hollywood Reporter calls him the film’s guiding force and details its release, while Deadline notes that he also had a small role as a bartender. They list different supporting cast members.
The Hollywood Reporter says Porter was born on 13 March 1979 and moved to the United States at age three; Deadline gives a shorter account of his UK birth and education.
Explained simply
Charles F. Porter was an actor and film producer who also worked as a model, poet and youth football coach. Born in Oxford, England, he later attended Duke University in the United States, where he played American football.
He founded Black Bench Productions and supported independent films and opportunities for Black artists. His work included producing films for BET+ and helping make Finding Faith, as well as playing pioneering Black racing driver Wendell Scott in an ESPN film.
Coverage · 2 sources
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by The Hollywood Reporter as “Charles F. Porter, Actor and ‘Finding Faith’ Producer, Dies at 47”.