"Colman Domingo"
Coleman Domingo joins the SmartLess podcast to discuss his journey from theater actor to acclaimed performer, his approach to character work and nuance in portraying complex figures like Joe Jackson, and his transition to directing and producing. He reflects on navigating success later in his career, the importance of imperfection in art, and letting go of judgment and unnecessary social obligations as he enters his late 50s.
Summary
Coleman Domingo appears on SmartLess where hosts Jason, Sean, and Will discuss his extensive career spanning theater, film, and television. The conversation begins with Coleman's humble origins in West Philadelphia as the youngest of four children from a lower-middle-class family. He describes taking an acting class at Temple University as an elective on the advice of his mother to help him open up, where his professor encouraged him to pursue acting professionally—a suggestion that resonated with him as an Enneagram 8 who enjoys challenges.
Coleman details his theater career, working as a bartender and headshot photographer for two decades while performing in off-Broadway productions and eventually Broadway shows. He explains his philosophy of finding humanity in complex characters, exemplifying this through his portrayal of Joe Jackson in the film Michael. Rather than viewing Jackson as a villain, Coleman researched his background as a man born pre-civil rights with limited education who drove his children to success. He spoke with family members who emphasized Jackson's complicated but loving nature, allowing him to present a nuanced character that some critics found controversial.
The conversation shifts to Coleman's career struggles in his mid-40s when he considered leaving the industry entirely. After successive disappointments and auditions for minor roles, he was ready to pursue his headshot photography business full-time. A friend's recommendation led him to meet with a new manager and agent who believed in him, resulting in his breakthrough roles in Fear the Walking Dead (which lasted eight seasons) and subsequent major projects including Euphoria, where he won an Emmy.
Coleman discusses the difference between stage and screen acting, emphasizing his commitment to extensive preparation and memorization before shooting. He values imperfection in performance and doesn't believe in "perfecting" a scene before the camera rolls. He also explains how he transitioned into directing television, initially shadowing on Fear the Walking Dead before directing episodes himself, finding fulfillment in understanding the entire production process rather than just acting.
The podcast explores themes of aging gracefully, letting go of judgment, and entering a "truth-telling season." Coleman reflects on moving to a gated community in Malibu after advice from Denzel Washington about needing privacy as his career elevated. He discusses being comfortable saying "no" without explanation and stripping away unnecessary social obligations. The hosts share similar experiences about becoming less judgmental and more selective about how they spend their time.
Coleman shares an anecdote about going up on his lines during a solo show on the anniversary of his parents' passing, realizing he was performing rather than truly living the material. This led to a breakthrough in understanding the difference between external performance and internal authenticity. The conversation concludes with mutual admiration among the hosts and guest, with an invitation to develop a deeper friendship.
About this episode
Pardon sir, it’s Colman Domingo. On this week’s episode of “How to Be a Better Soldier,” we’ve got: Broadway, Bartending, living like a teenager, truth-telling season, and a Sophie’s Choice. I’m Larry / it’s an all-new SmartLess.
Key Insights
- Coleman Domingo describes his acting journey beginning with a professor's encouragement at Temple University who recognized his potential when he himself had no concept of acting as a profession.
- Domingo argues that his success in portraying Joe Jackson came from viewing him through a lens of complexity and humanity rather than as a one-dimensional villain, consulting family members about Jackson's relationships.
- Domingo claims he worked as a bartender and headshot photographer for approximately 20 years while maintaining a theater career, driven by fear of financial instability and uncertainty about career sustainability.
- Domingo states that after years of small roles in major films and mounting rejections in his mid-40s, he seriously considered leaving the entertainment industry entirely to pursue photography full-time.
- Domingo argues that a new manager who believed in him and pushed his auditions through different channels (from CAA and WME competitors) directly led to his breakthrough with Fear the Walking Dead and subsequent career trajectory.
- Domingo contends that extensive preparation and memorization before shooting allows him to remain loose and responsive on set, avoiding the trap of cementing a performance before filming begins.
- Domingo asserts that his multi-hyphenate approach to work—combining acting, writing, directing, and producing—stems from his inability to simply hit marks as an actor without understanding the entire production process.
- Domingo explains that Denzel Washington advised him that increased success necessitates reduced public accessibility and privacy, warning that without gated protection his life would fundamentally change.
- Domingo claims he experienced a professional breakthrough when realizing during a solo show that he was performing emotionally demanding material rather than genuinely living it, leading to authentic transformation in his work.
- Domingo argues that criticism of art has become less valuable than social media crowdsourcing of opinions, with audiences increasingly making decisions based on peer recommendations rather than professional critics.
- Domingo contends that the film Michael received low critical scores despite massive audience approval and box office success, suggesting critics had specific expectations about Michael Jackson that the film didn't fulfill.
- Domingo describes entering a 'truth-telling season' in his mid-50s where he simply says 'no' to social obligations without qualification or explanation, marking a shift from his earlier storytelling phase.
Topics
Transcript
Fall means cozy meals, game days, and an excuse to bring home something sweet. Whole Foods Market keeps the focus on flavor with no artificial sweeteners like Sucralose, artificial colors like Red Dye No. 40, or high-fructose corn syrup store-wide. For game day, grab made-in-house wings, frozen pizzas, and 365 brand chips and dips. Finish with limited time pumpkin blondies, apple brown butter cookies, or chocolate bourbon pecan pie. Shop fall flavors with higher standards at Whole Foods Market. Did you ever notice the best deals are just obvious, like Hotels.com? What do they do, you may ask? Hotels on the internet. And a lot of them, like hundreds of thousands. I don't know why I just turned into Sean…
Full transcript available for MurmurCast members
Sign Up to AccessMore from SmartLess
"Jessica Biel"
Jessica Biel joins the SmartLess podcast to discuss her 30+ year career spanning television and film, her transition from child star on Seventh Heaven to adult roles in movies like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and her production company Iron Ocean co-founded with Michelle Purple. She also shares insights about performing stunt driving for the Matchbox film, balancing motherhood with international film production, and her various life philosophies on fitness and self-care.
"RE-RELEASE: Ben Affleck"
Ben Affleck joins the Smartless podcast to discuss his friendship and creative partnership with Matt Damon since childhood, their approach to collaborative writing and acting, and his directorial work including the film 'Air.' He also explains Artist Equity, his production company model that prioritizes crew compensation and creative integrity over traditional Hollywood financing structures.
"Michael Douglas"
Michael Douglas discusses his decades-long career spanning acting and producing, from his breakthrough with One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to iconic roles in Fatal Attraction and Wall Street. He shares insights on choosing material over ego, overcoming his father Kirk Douglas's shadow, battling personal demons including drug abuse, and his new memoir 'One Hell of a Ride' covering 90 years of family history in Hollywood.
"Seth Meyers"
Seth Meyers joins the Smartless podcast to discuss his comedy career journey from Northwestern University through Second City, Saturday Night Live, and ultimately to hosting The Late Show. He reflects on how mentorship from Mike Shoemaker shaped his understanding of comedy writing and performing, and explains how his Update experience prepared him for late-night television.
"Benny Blanco"
Benny Blanco joins the Smartless podcast to discuss his journey from a kid in Virginia cold-calling record labels to becoming one of pop music's most successful producers and songwriters. He credits his success to relentless hustle, networking, and a willingness to learn on the job while working with titans like Dr. Luke and Max Martin, ultimately landing hits for artists like Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Ed Sheeran.