Colman Domingo Triumph: Colman Domingo, celebrated for his Emmy win and multiple Tony Award nominations, finds himself in the Oscar conversation for his compelling performance in the historical biopic Rustin. Despite recent successes, Domingo reflects on a challenging period in 2014, a year that followed his Tony-nominated run in the Broadway musical The Scottsboro Boys.
Amid the audition circuit in New York City, Domingo landed an audition for a role in the Martin Scorsese-produced HBO drama Boardwalk Empire. Enthusiastically eyeing the part of a maître d’ at a Black-owned nightclub, he believed it could be his breakthrough. However, after a strong audition, a historical researcher informed producers that maître d’s in those nightclubs were typically light-skinned, resulting in Domingo not getting the role.
The disappointment hit Domingo hard. Recalling the moment, he revealed being at a Manhattan Equinox gym when he received the news, leading to a visceral reaction. Expressing his frustration to his agent, he admitted, “I can’t take it anymore. I think this is going to kill me.”
Despite contemplating abandoning his acting career, Domingo persisted, gaining a valuable lesson about the unpredictable nature of the industry. Reflecting on such experiences, he acknowledged, “I’ve had many moments where I just needed that little shine or that little push or that extra scene that I know we shot, but decisions were made.”
Domingo’s resilience paid off. Following his Emmy win last year for an impactful role in HBO’s Euphoria, he is now at a career pinnacle. Selected by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground production company, he embodies Civil Rights hero Bayard Rustin in Netflix’s Rustin. Simultaneously showcasing his versatility, Domingo takes on the role of a villainous husband in the critically acclaimed film adaptation of the Broadway musical iteration of The Color Purple, which recently achieved the second-biggest Christmas Day opening of all time.
In light of his current position, Domingo expressed a desire not to overlook this moment of success. Grateful for the recognition and critical acclaim, he emphasized, “I want to bathe in all of that right now the films, the lights, the accolades, the beautiful critical responses.”
Also Read: Rustin Movie Review: A Glimpse into Bayard Rustins Courage and Activism
Our Reader’s Queries
Why is Colman Domingo famous?
Colman is famous for his standout roles as Mr. Franklin and a German performance artist, Mr. Venus of Berlin, in the award-winning musical Passing Strange. The musical, directed by Annie Dorsen, earned both Tony and Drama Desk Awards for its groundbreaking approach. The Broadway production was also captured on film by acclaimed director Spike Lee.
Is Colman Domingo Dominican?
Domingo hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father originates from Belize, while his family has roots in Guatemala.