Actor and Producer Charles Porter Dies at 47

Porter worked across acting, producing and modeling, while also coaching youth football and mentoring young people in California. His family said he died at home after living with Hodgkin lymphoma for 17½ years. He and his wife, Candice Tab Porter, had two daughters, Layla and Juliette.

His television credits included roles on House, Bones, The Parkers and Without a Trace. In 2011, he portrayed NASCAR driver Wendell Scott for ESPN’s biographical film A Race Story: Wendell Scott. His film roles included Nailed, which he also produced, and Peppermint.

Porter founded Black Bench Productions to develop and finance independent films. He was a driving force behind Finding Faith, a 2025 film featuring Keith David, Paula Patton and Loretta Devine that reached theaters before airing on Lifetime. His producing credits also included the BET+ holiday films A Miracle Before Christmas and Christmas Angel, as well as Grace Point and Battered.

Born in England, Porter moved to the United States as a child and attended Duke University, where he played football. A back injury ended his hopes of pursuing the sport professionally. At the time of his death, he was developing faith-based films and was an executive producer and early investor in the upcoming feature Last Meals. His family thanked City of Hope and physician Stephen J. Forman for his care.