Colman Domingo is a multi-talented American performer who has made a name for himself in both film and theater. He has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, such as a Primetime Emmy, nominations for an Academy Award, and two Tony Awards. In 2024, Time magazine honored him as one of the top 100 influential individuals in the world.
Early Life
Colman Jason Domingo grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the third child out of a family of four. He was brought up by his mother, Edith Bowles, and her husband in a household that belonged to the working class.
While his mother was a homemaker and also worked at a bank, his stepfather, Clarence, made money by sanding floors. Unfortunately, Edith passed away in 2006, just one day after Domingo’s audition for the theater production of Passing Strange. His stepfather had passed away a few months prior.
Domingo’s father was originally from Belize and had family in Guatemala. However, he abandoned the family when Domingo was only nine years old. Due to a speech impediment, Domingo had difficulty speaking and was enrolled in speech therapy by his mother.
After graduating from Overbrook High School, Domingo studied journalism at Temple University. He then relocated to San Francisco, California, and pursued acting opportunities, primarily in theatrical productions.
Domingo has also served as a teacher at the O’Neill National Theater Institute, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Colman Domingo’s Acting Career
In 1995, Colman Domingo made his first film appearance in “Timepiece.” In the following years, he also acted in “Around the Fire,” “King of the Bingo Game,” and “True Crime.” At the beginning of the 21st century, Domingo was featured in “Desi’s Looking for a New Girl.”
He then had a role in “Kung Phooey!,” which was released in 2003. However, he did not have many film roles during the rest of the decade, except for “Freedomland” in 2006 and “Miracle at St. Anna” in 2008.
Throughout the 2010s, he had a significantly higher output, appearing in notable films such as “Lincoln” directed by Steven Spielberg and “Red Hook Summer” directed by Spike Lee. In 2013 alone, Colman Domingo had roles in four movies: “All is Bright,” “42,” “Hair Brained,” and “The Butler.”
The following year, he portrayed civil rights activist Ralph Abernathy in Ava DuVernay’s historical drama “Selma.” In 2016, Domingo was also seen in Nate Parker’s “The Birth of a Nation,” another historical drama.
Two years later, he had roles in “Assassination Nation,” “First Match,” and “If Beale Street Could Talk.” Bringing the decade to a close, Domingo’s final role was in the 2019 film “Lucy in the Sky” starring Natalie Portman.
At the start of the 2020s, Colman Domingo delivered highly praised portrayals in the dark comedy “Zola” and the movie version of August Wilson’s play “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”
He received Independent Spirit Award nods for Best Supporting Actor for both roles. Domingo then starred in the action-packed “Without Remorse,” the dramatic “The God Committee,” and the chilling supernatural flick “Candyman,” all in 2021.
In 2023, Colman Domingo had a very productive year as he starred in five movies, such as “Sing Sing,” “The Color Purple,” and “Rustin.” His portrayal of civil rights advocate Bayard Rustin in “Rustin” earned him numerous accolades, including an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
The following year, Domingo joined the cast of Ethan Coen’s comedic road flick “Drive-Away Dolls.” He then took on the role of Joe Jackson in Antoine Fuqua’s musical drama “Michael,” a biopic about the iconic entertainer Michael Jackson.
Domingo made his television debut in the late 1990s, appearing as a guest on the crime drama “Nash Bridges.” Throughout the 2000s, he was a recurring guest on several shows within the “Law & Order” franchise and also had a regular role on the comedy sketch show “The Big Gay Sketch Show.”
In 2015, Colman Domingo took on his most enduring role to date as Victor Strand in the “Fear the Walking Dead” TV series, a spinoff of the popular “The Walking Dead” horror saga set in a post-apocalyptic world. He continued in this role until the show’s finale in 2023, while also showcasing his directing skills in a few episodes.
In addition, Domingo made appearances on various other shows such as the historical medical drama “The Knick” and the teenage drama “Euphoria.” His portrayal of recovering drug addict Ali on “Euphoria” earned him a nomination for an Emmy Award.
Personal Life
The Euphoria star has been in a relationship with Raul Domingo since 2014. But their love story started nine years ago when they met unexpectedly. In 2005, Colman Domingo and Raúl first saw each other in a Walgreens parking lot, but they didn’t exchange any words at that moment.
After discovering Raúl on the internet, he discovered that Colman was also looking for him after their encounter in the parking lot. They eventually connected, met in person, and have been in a loving relationship ever since. Nine years after their initial encounter at the Walgreens parking lot, Raúl and Colman got married in California.
Net Worth
With a net worth of $8 million, Colman Domingo is a well-known American actor, playwright, and director. He has appeared in popular films such as “Selma,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Zola,” and “Rustin.”
