Oscars 2025: Rank of Colman Domingo Roles By Box Office Performance

The longtime actor just tied with Denzel Washington for an amazing feat thanks to his recent 2025 Oscar nomination.

Colman Domingo arrives for the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 5, 2025. Photo: Getty Images Etienne Laurent / AFP

On Thursday, the 2025 Oscar nominations were released and veteran actor Colman Domingo found himself among the few who will now be going for the coveted gold come March 2. But that’s not the only thing Domingo has to celebrate.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Root 100 Nominee Nicholas Ryan Gant Breaks Down the Secret Meaning of His New Single

Thanks to his Best Actor nomination for his role in the critically acclaimed film “Sing Sing,” Domingo made history as the first actor to get nominated back-to-back in the same category since Denzel Washington. In 2024, Domingo was also nominated in the Best Actor category for his role in the popular Netflix biopic, “Rustin.” As far as Washington is concerned, he was nominated for Best Actor for his roles in “Fences” and “Roman J. Israrel, Esq.” in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Having reached this feat, it made us want to take a look at some of Domingo’s best roles throughout his career as we wait with baited breath to see if he’ll take home the win some weeks from now. If he doesn’t he just might have a “three-peat” if he gets nominated in the next awards season cycle yet again when the highly-anticipated Michael Jackson biopic comes out on Oct. 3.

But until then, let’s get into Domingo’s goodness by the box office and critical acclaim.

“42,” 2013- $97,510,197 Worldwide

In “42,” Domingo stars in a small role opposite the late Chadwick Boseman and Nicole Beharie.

“Candyman,” 2021- $77,411,570 Worldwide

In “Candyman” Domingo stars as Cabrini-Green neighbor William “Billy” Burke, starring opposite Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris and Vanessa Williams/

“The Color Purple,” 2023- $68,919,191 Worldwide

In “The Color Purple” Domingo stars as “Mister,” starring opposite Fantasia Barrino-Taylor, Halle Bailey, and Danielle Brooks.

“Selma,” 2014- $67,782,762 Worldwide

In “Selma,” Domingo stars as civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy, starring opposite David Oyelwo, Oprah Winfrey and Wendell Pierce.

“If Beale Street Could Talk,” 2018- $20,596,567

In “If Beale Street Could Talk” Domingo stars as Joseph Rivers, father to Kiki Layne’s character Tish. In it, he stars opposite Layne, Stephan James, and Regina King.

“Birth of Nation,” 2016- $16,779,212

In “Birth of a Nation,” Domingo stars as Hark Turner—another enslaved man who shared his vision of freedom.

“Miracle at St. Anna,” 2008- $9,333,654

In “Miracle at St. Anna,” Domingo stars in a small role as as West Indian postal customer, starrng opposite Derek Luke, Michael Ealy and Laz Alonso.

“Zola,” 2020 – $4,998,097

In “Zola,” Domingo stars as pimp Abegunde “X” Olawale, starring opposite Taylour Paige and Riley Keough.

“Sing Sing,” 2024- $3,401,514 Worldwide

In “Sing Sing,” Domingo stars as “Divine G”—an inmate who’s been falsely imprisoned at Sing Sing Correctional Facility but finds purpose by connecting with his cellmates thanks to theater in the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program.

“Rustin”- 2023

In “Rustin,” Domingo stars as famous gay civil rights leader Bayard Rustin who played a pivotal role in organizing the March on Washington in 1963.

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”- 2020

In “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” Domingo stars as trombone player and band leader “Cutler,” opposite the late Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis.

“Euphoria”- 2019-Current

In “Euphoria,” Domingo stars as “Ali” sponsor to Zendaya’s character Rue.

“Fear of the Walking Dead”- 2015-2023

In “Fear of the Walking Dead,” Domingo stars as Victor Strand a once shady conman who eventually sees the errors in his ways (well, almost).

Honorable Mention: “King of the Bingo Game”

In “King of the Bingo Game,” Domingo stars as Sonny is a struggling Black man who frequents the bingo parlor in a desperate attempt to provide for his family in Depression era New York.

Honorable Mention: “The Madness”

In “The Madness,” Domingo stars as CNN reporter Muncie Daniels who must fight to prove his innocence after stumbling upon a murder of a white supremacist in the Poconos, all while trying to reconnect with his estranged family and his lost ideals.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Black Stars Who Slayed on the 2026 American Black Film Festival Honors Red Carpet

Black Stars Who Slayed on the 2026 American Black Film Festival Honors Red Carpet

From the Oscar nominees like Ryan Coogler to veterans like Vivica A. Fox, check out some of our faves who slayed on the ABFF 2026 red carpet! …
If You Want a Bob Without the Commitment, These Wigs Will Get You Right

If You Want a Bob Without the Commitment, These Wigs Will Get You Right

Like Beyoncé’s new bob? Want to try a bob without making the big chop; these bob wigs let you have the best of both worlds …
Whoopi Goldberg Clears Up Epstein Files Confusion

Whoopi Goldberg Clears Up Epstein Files Confusion

Whoopi Goldberg isn’t here for any potential links between her and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. And now she’s providing some much needed clarity! …
How <i>Not</i> To End Up Like Cardi B, Halle Berry or J. Lo: Unlucky in Love Because of Bad Decisions

How Not To End Up Like Cardi B, Halle Berry or J. Lo: Unlucky in Love Because of Bad Decisions

If you want to be happy in love but don’t know how to get there, pull up a chair. It’s time we had a talk …
Kansas State Fires Basketball Coach Over Publicly Trashing His Own Team, But That's Not All

Kansas State Fires Basketball Coach Over Publicly Trashing His Own Team, But That’s Not All

After a blistering criticism of his basketball team, Kansas State has fired basketball head coach, Jerome Tang, for “just cause.” …
CNN's Abby Phillip On Jesse Jackson's Political Legacy

CNN’s Abby Phillip On Jesse Jackson’s Political Legacy

The Root spoke exclusively with CNN’s Abby Phillip about what we can learn from the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s multicultural political movement …
Former Obama Staffers Reveal How Profoundly Trump Blindsided Them in 2016

Former Obama Staffers Reveal How Profoundly Trump Blindsided Them in 2016

Obama and his staff had a perception about Trump leading up to the 2016 presidential election that …
NBA Legend Chris Paul's 5 Dirtiest On-Court Moves

NBA Legend Chris Paul’s 5 Dirtiest On-Court Moves

Retiring after 21 years in the NBA, Chris Paul was widely regarded as one of the dirtiest players in the league …
What NYT Journalists Are Finding in The Epstein Files

What NYT Journalists Are Finding in The Epstein Files

The New York Times staff is poring through millions of pages of documents in the Epstein files. Now four NYT journalists are revealing what they know so far …
'We Were All Rooting For You' ANTM Model Speaks Out!

‘We Were All Rooting For You’ ANTM Model Speaks Out!

‘ANTM’ contestants are breaking their silence after the release of Netflix’s new documentary. Let’s take a look at what they have to say! …
Trump Locks Horns With Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Over This Scary Environmental Disaster

Trump Locks Horns With Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Over This Scary Environmental Disaster

After more than 240 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Potomac River, President Trump is calling out Gov. Wes Moore …
Why Lil Durk's Music Will Play a Huge Role in His Murder-for-Hire Case

Why Lil Durk’s Music Will Play a Huge Role in His Murder-for-Hire Case

A federal judge has just issued his complicated ruling over song lyrics and Instagram DMs connected to Lil Durk’s upcoming trial …
Clifton Powell Crashes Out When Challenged To Be More Accountable To Black Women, Black Twitter Responds

Clifton Powell Crashes Out When Challenged To Be More Accountable To Black Women, Black Twitter Responds

Powell was a part of a round table discussion titled “Black Men Trust Black Women.” …
Exclusive: Raphael Saadiq Opens Up About Being With D'Angelo Days Before His Passing

Exclusive: Raphael Saadiq Opens Up About Being With D’Angelo Days Before His Passing

Oscar-nominee and legendary singer Raphael Saadiq sat down with The Root where he reflected on his deep friendship with the late D’Angelo …
Why Tyra Banks Was Always the <i>Real</i> Problem on 'ANTM'

Why Tyra Banks Was Always the Real Problem on ‘ANTM’

Thanks to Netflix’s new documentary, Tyra Banks’ time as host and producer of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ is getting looked at with fervent scrutiny! Let’s break down why …
Celebs Pay Tribute to The Rev. Jesse Jackson

Celebs Pay Tribute to The Rev. Jesse Jackson

After the shocking news of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s passing, celebrities are sending their condolences to the Jackson family …
Photo: Getty Images Michael DeMocker

Black Mardi Gras Facts They Don’t Teach You in School

The annual Mardi Gras celebration has greater ties to Black history and culture than what meets the eye …
'ANTM's' Miss J Shares a Heartbreaking Health Update -- and Infuriating Tyra Banks News

‘ANTM’s’ Miss J Shares a Heartbreaking Health Update — and Infuriating Tyra Banks News

After years of teaching young aspiring models to werk the runway, “America’s Next Top Model” coach Miss J Alexander reveals a terrifying health scare in 2022 …
America is Experiencing the Age of the Dominus: Our Moment of Truth

America is Experiencing the Age of the Dominus: Our Moment of Truth

OPINION: We struggle to find the language appropriate to describe President Donald Trump’s second term. It’s all more nuanced than most folks think …
Jesse Jackson, One of the Last Civil Rights Era Legends, Dies at 84

Jesse Jackson, One of the Last Civil Rights Era Legends, Dies at 84

Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader and protégé of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., died at home surrounded by family …