A Bridgeport teen had a guest role on tonight's episode of the Fox TV show "Empire."

Theo Wilson is a 19-year-old Harding High School senior and aspiring actor who goes by the nickname Teddy. He was celebrating with a pre-screening party at the Stress Factory Comedy Club, where he works as a server.

"Teddy is just an amazing kid who has turned a negative experience into a positive one by channeling his negativity into acting," says Stress Factory owner Vinnie Brand. "I'm so impressed by his talent and tenacity."

After Wilson met executive producer Lee Daniels at a New York City fan forum last year, he earned a small guest-starring role.

As News 12 has reported, Wilson had impressed Daniels with stories about his childhood in foster care.

Wilson's foster dad Robert Rickard said he couldn't wait to see the episode, which the teen was not allowed to talk about in advance.

The episode aired at 8 p.m. on Fox. 

For the premiere, Wilson was the guest of honor at a red carpet event in Hartford, where the episode aired live.