American actor, playwright, director, and producer, Colman Jason Domingo, currently basks in fame for being the first Afro-Latino and the first openly gay African-American actor to be nominated for the Oscars for his role in Rustin. Achieving such a milestone recognition in the 21st century and the 96 years of Academy Awards gives the actor enough credence to vouch for his influential personality and acting prowess reflected in his works such as Euphoria and Passing Strange.

The highly decorated actor has a long story to tell ranging from his roots in Philadelphia to his early career, ascension to new roles, and now on the precipice of making Oscars history.

The early life and personal background of Colman Domingo

Colman Jason Domingo was born on November 28, 1969, in Philadelphia to a diverse family with his father from Belize and other family members from Guatemala. Known for keeping things private, his personal life has spewed out shy details such as him attending the Overbrook High School and later majoring in journalism from Temple University. Additionally, his academic interests also had him serve on the faculties of prestigious institutions like Juilliard and Yale School of Drama as well as a professorship at the University of Southern California's School of Dramatic Arts.

An LGBTQ+ rights activist, Domingo, married Raúl Domingo in 2014, meeting his husband through Craigslist. Along the lines, he had discovered his passion for acting and moved to San Francisco to pursue the same, starting with theatrical performances such as Edith Productions, as a partnership with his husband. Alongside his vocal support for civil and gay rights, the actor also happens to be an ordained minister, having officiated weddings such as that of actors Anika Noni Rose and Jason Dirden.

The stepping stones and Broadway success for Colman Domingo

Starting in San Francisco, his acting endeavors in the theaters led him to eventually land in New York City, but not before landing critical appreciation along the way with each small step. Colman Domingo started his Broadway career in 2005 when he played several characters in the play Well by Lisa Kron. However, his breakthrough role came in the form of the 2008 musical, Passing Strange, where he played three different characters and narrated a young African-American man’s journey of self-discovery across Europe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVmaxwzqV7g

The 2008 play became a success landing him an Obie Award as well as a reprisal of his role in a film version by Spike Lee. Thereafter, on Broadway, the 2011 musical, Scottsboro Boys landed him the most fame. His role as Mr. Bones won him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Additionally, in 2014, the reprisal of the character landed him a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical, laying the groundwork for a critically admired career.

Theatrical acclaim and recognition

Colman Domingo started his march outside of writing as he co-wrote the script for the Broadway play, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, in 2018. The biographical drama based on the life of the disco singer also had him write the book for the show, along with Robert Cary and Des McAnuff. A storyline that accurately captured the personal experiences as well as the story behind the songs, earned Domingo acclaim for his playwriting skills as well as for the production of the same.

In terms of actually receiving widespread acclaim, his role as Mr. Bones in The Scottsboro Boys musical, both on Boadway as well as West End, comes out as the shining gem. Colman Domingo received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical in 2011, and in 2014, a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical. Finally, the play also handed him an Obie Award, a Connecticut Critics Circle Award, and a Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Award.

The television career and the march to mainstream

Alongside his theatrical pursuits, Colman Domingo also maintained an active foray into television, marking an ingress as early as the 2000s. Although minor and spread out, he played Donnie in an episode titled Slideshow of Law & Order. Thereafter, he continued playing another character, Ronald Gumer in The Insider of Law & Order: Criminal Intent in 2002, followed by an attorney role in the Blue Wall episode of Law & Order: Trial by Jury in 2005.

Domingo started gaining mainstream acting prominence in television as part of the main cast of the comedy show, The Big Gay Sketch Running from 2008 to 2010, his impressions of Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey won him an audience before he proceeded to playing characters such as a former KGB agent turned chorus dancer. In the meantime, he also starred in a few movies along the lines that not only highlighted his acting range as well as his ability to juggle multiple professional endeavors.

The television breakthrough role for Colman Domingo came in the form of his role as Victor Strand in Fear The Walking Dead. Initially joining as a recurring guest star, his prominent reception in the first season, made him a part of the main cast where he showcased several character arcs all the way up till 2023, the eighth and final season of the AMC series, becoming a favorite by the end of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cajLoaFl2Zo

The actor also made guest appearances in the HBO show, Euphoria starring the likes of Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, and Sydney Sweeney. Playing the role of Ali, a recovering drug addict, his two appearances in Euphoria season one and a 2021 special won him enough acclaim to receive the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2022. As such, the road of opportunities now lay wide open for Domingo as well as his move to the big-ticket films.

Lincoln, Selma, Rustin, and the Oscars for Colman Domingo

Synonymous with Broadway breakthroughs and television roles, Colman Domingo also starred in movie roles, starting from supporting ones that came with sparse appearances to leading roles and eventually, a Best Actor Oscar nod. Among the first notable Hollywood projects, he starred in 2012’s Lincoln, playing Private Harold Green. Furthermore, in 2014, he essayed the role of Ralph Abernathy, a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma. Each of the two roles came with a strong reception and further enhanced his portfolio.

In 2018, Domingo played Joseph Rivers in If Beale Street Could Talk, and his 2020 character of Cutler in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom came with massive appreciation both from the audience as well as the critics. However, one of the biggest highlights in filmography before the Oscars nomination came in 2021’s Zola. The dark comedy had him fill the shoes of a character named X, and his accuracy and acting prowess in the same won him a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuZ-UONInl4

The biggest career milestone as well as the current prime highlight of his acting career came from his 2024 Oscars nomination for Best Actor, the first for an openly gay African-American, for playing Bayard Rustin in the biopic, titled Rustin. The Netflix movie produced by Barack and Michelle Obama and directed by George C. Wolfe had him deliver a riveting performance based on the civil and LGBTQ+ rights activist. Moreover, he poured his heart out for the movie and appealed to people to look into that dedication.

All the awards, laurels, and recognition for Colman Domingo

To sum it all up, Colman Domingo has received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Ali in Euphoria. Additionally, he has an Obie Award for Passing Strange and a Lucille Lortel Award for A Boy and His Soul. Furthermore, in terms of nominations, he has received two Tony Awards nods for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for The Scottsboro Boys in 2011 and for Best Play for his comedy Fat Ham in 2023.

However, the cherry on the cake is his latest Best Actor nomination for Rustin for the 2024 Oscars. Thus, in summary, the actor has turned out to be one of the most highly decorated African-American artists in the modern film industry and his current Oscars achievement stands as a prime example of the inspiration that he presents to the aspiring generation, especially those who identify as LBQTQ+ members. Additionally, aside from his acting, playwriting, production, and activism, he also stands as a distinguished academician.

Future projects, career trajectory, and critical acclaim

The 2024 Oscars nomination only highlighted the wealth of talent possessed by Colman Domingo, opening the stage for him to star in a multitude of upcoming projects, many of which are already in development. Among the many firsts to debut will be 2025’s Michael. The musical biopic will have him star as Joe Jackson, the father and manager of Michael Jackson. Thereafter, he remains set to direct and star in a yet-untitled biopic on Nat King Cole, parts of which he also stands set to co-write.

Colman Domingo remains pretty vocal about making Oscars history as well as the opening of potential prospects such as the MCU. After playing diverse characters across wide genres, his repute as an industry-leading actor stands undisputed. Moreover, almost all of his projects have landed much critical acclaim, and he has earned prizes as mentions of a standout actor in a majority of them. Willing to embrace new challenges, the actor may well mark history with a potential win at the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, 2024.