Colman Domingo explains his approach to complex characters in 'The Color Purple' and 'Rustin'
Reviving extraordinary figures of American history is a career hallmark of actor, director and playwright Colman Domingo. The Emmy Award-winning actor has portrayed prominent roles such as Ralph Abernathy in the 2014 film “Selma,” and Mr. Rivers in “If Beale Street Could Talk.”
He also co-wrote the 2019 stage musical “Lights Out” about legendary singer Nat King Cole. In a new film out now on Netflix, Domingo brings his powerful presence to portraying the Civil Rights activist Bayard Rustin.
“Rustin” was executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, and it relives key moments in Bayard Rustin’s life as he helped organize the March on Washington amid an onslaught of racism and homophobia. Colman Domingo joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes via Zoom to share more about his experience stepping into this colossal role.
“He was a profound human being. He was also full of joy and light and love and passion. And he was a complicated man, but someone who has been practically erased from history books,” said Domingo about Rustin.
In addition to his role in the critically acclaimed Netflix film, Domingo also portrays Albert “Mister” Johnson in “The Color Purple” musical, which was released on Dec. 25. The character of Mister is an abusive husband who is cruel to his wife, Celie. In the film, you see that his brutality stems from his own abusive father and upbringing.
“It’s very important to me, especially with these men that I create, to show their humanity even if they are doing horrific things.” Domingo said.
“It was important to find in this version of ‘The Color Purple,’ to find how hurt he was, not only by the world. ‘Why do hurt people hurt people?’ was a major question for me. That’s the only way I can find the heart and soul of someone doing villainous acts. I don’t look at them as a villain, I look at them as doing villainous acts, and usually villainous acts are done because there’s been harm done to them.”
The next City Lights Movie Night features “The Color Purple” at the Tara Theater at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13. More information is available here.
Top Stories
