Billy Mitchell

Billy Mitchell is an actor, Director, Voice-over Artist, Mentor, Youth Group Sponsor, Producer and Lecturer. To tourists, Apollo Theater patrons, entertainers, celebrities and friends in the Harlem community, Billy Mitchell is Mr. Apollo. Spirited and charming, Mr. Mitchell knows the Apollo like the back of his hand. He is the longest tenured employee of the historic Apollo Theater. Billy started running errands at the Apollo in 1965 at the age of 15 years old. Back then, Billy would run errands for the Motown Artists, BB King Band, Moms Mabley, Flip Wilson, James Brown and even Marvin Gaye. He also saw the Jackson 5 when they first won Amateur Night at the Apollo.

Billy was born in Mt. Vernon, NY and raised in the Bronx. He is one of 14 children and spent time in foster care as a child. He later became a foster parent to give back. Billy’s mother was born in the original Harlem Hospital in 1923.

Billy has worked in almost every department at the Apollo since 1984. He is presently the Apollo’s Director of Tours, In House Historian and Apollo Ambassador. He has educated thousands of visitors to the Apollo about its rich history and culture. He is known all over the world as Mr. Apollo. He sponsors and mentors five youth groups — Playing on the Edge Basketball Program (Harlem), Mt. Vernon Boys and Girls Club (Mt. Vernon), Big Apple Leadership Academy (Brooklyn), Creative Art Works (NYC) and Families United for Solutions (Bronx). Billy is also a recipient of the Harlem Honors 2023 Award.