Colman Domingo

Summary

Good Hang with Amy Poehler – Colman Domingo

Podcast: Good Hang with Amy Poehler
Host: Amy Poehler
Guest: Colman Domingo (with appearance by Steven Spielberg)
Air Date: June 9, 2026
Producer: The Ringer

---

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and hilarious episode, Amy Poehler welcomes acclaimed actor Colman Domingo to the studio. Their wide-ranging conversation covers Colman's journey from a shy Philly kid to leading man, the profound influence of his late mother Edith, his approach to acting, stories of coming out and coming up in theater, and his remarkable collaborations (including with Steven Spielberg, who joins the show to share kind words and backstage stories). Dancing, self-discovery, love, and the joys and absurdities of show business run through the conversation, layered with warmth and plenty of laughter.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Steven Spielberg Joins to Celebrate Colman Domingo

(02:24 - 12:42)

• Spielberg reminisces about being in the audience at SNL’s first episode in 1975 and his lifelong love of comedy and comedians.

• Tells how he first met Colman Domingo during casting for a Gershwin project, immediately knowing he wanted to cast him.

• Spielberg shares his unique audition process ("we're going to cook together in a kitchen") as a way to break the ice with actors.

• Praises Domingo’s work ethic and spirit:

  "Working with Colman is like riding in a Waymo where you just sit in the backseat and everything’s smooth. He brings kindness, collaboration, love…and a sense of: let’s have fun while we’re working hard." (09:11, Steven Spielberg)

• Spielberg asks Amy to inquire:

  "Ask him: Was there ever a film he auditioned for that he didn’t get and he was desperate to get?"
  (11:51, Spielberg)

---

2. Egg Keychains, Fake Food, and Style as Self-Expression

(13:39 - 18:00)

• Colman gifts Amy a fake fried egg keychain, sparking a running bit and tour of the show’s collection of fake foods from various celebrities.
• Both riff on the joy and subtle adult weirdness of collecting realistic "grown people’s fake food."
• Amy admires Colman’s fashion sense and the authenticity and confidence he emanates, to which Colman responds:

  "The clothes never wear you. It’s always a feeling—how do I get into this feeling? How do I want to feel?" (17:14, Colman Domingo)

---

3. Dancing, Childhood, and Coming Into One’s Own

(18:05 - 22:13)

• Amy and Colman recall first truly connecting nonverbally on a dance floor at an Emmy's pre-party.
• Colman shares how beloved dance was in his Philly family, specifically his mother’s joy, even dancing in the aisles at the grocery store.
• Reveals he was an "awkward, shy, bookish" kid and didn’t start breaking out until college.
• On the role of self-help books and conscious self-reinvention:

  "I would be in the corners reading these books on how to become a person, to be honest, because I felt I was awkward… all of this has been a bit manufactured." (22:13, Colman Domingo)

---

4. The Power of a Mother’s Faith

(23:03 - 25:25, 54:33 - 58:54)

• Moving stories of Colman's mother Edith lifting him up during tough times, making him believe the world was "set up to do me more good than harm."

  "She would say, ‘You know, all these lights—they put them up to welcome you home.’" (24:05, Colman Domingo)

• Amy reflects on the privilege of having affirming parents, and Colman agrees it changes life’s trajectory.
• Later, a powerful reveal about his mother’s faith: She would write to Oprah, Spielberg, and other icons, convinced Colman belonged in their company.

  "'If Oprah found out how good you were, she could help you.' My mom would write her over and over." (54:50, Colman Domingo)

• Years later, with Oprah in Maui, the dream (and message) connects in full circle.

---

5. From Philly to San Francisco: Coming Out, Artistic Growth, and Grit

(29:04 - 33:59)

• Colman details moving from Philly to San Francisco as a young man, landing in a cramped Tenderloin studio with three friends, and literally "coming out" in all senses.
• Life as a struggling artist: Sleeping in a closet, bartending, writing plays (notably "Up Jump Springtime" about young queer coming-of-age), and hustling for work.
• Wrote the book for the Donna Summer Broadway musical, highlighting his versatility.

---

6. Love Story: Meeting His Husband, Raul

(33:19 - 36:33)

• The "missed connections" magic: Colman and Raul noticed each other at a Walgreens, then found each other again via Craigslist.
• Their immediate connection and long-running love:

  "I met him 21 years ago. We met, and I literally said, 'I think I love you. You’re going to change my life.' That’s how uncool I am." (34:01, Colman Domingo)

• Raul’s presence in the green room, the couple’s cheekbone jokes, and Amy’s playful wish for their future children’s cheekbones.

---

7. Early Career Bumps & Showbiz Realities

(40:41 - 43:07)

• Amy and Colman trade Law & Order war stories—Colman played multiple characters, from a "schizophrenic heroin addict" to an attorney.
• On the grind of theater: The hardest part of every day is at night, and you do it "for love, not money."

  "Acting is so embarrassing. I love it so much." (43:07, Amy Poehler)

---

8. Stage Mishaps and Leadership

(43:41 - 54:00)

• Colman and Amy commiserate about onstage disasters: forgotten lines, missing props, and the deep camaraderie it breeds.
• Colman’s two new honorary doctorates—Temple and Swarthmore—and the themes of love and service in his recent speeches.
• Becoming a true leader on set, especially doing roles like Rustin and Sing Sing:

  "I moved into my leading actor phase… I always have been someone people come to to right the wrongs or advocate for actors." (53:04, Colman Domingo)

---

9. Empathy as an Actor’s Superpower

(48:11 - 49:07, 61:46 - 62:57)

• Amy notes Colman’s renowned empathy and ability to find humanity in any character, villain or hero.

• His own approach:

  "I have to love every character I play, even the villainous ones. I find my way in and connect to some part of me." (48:46, Colman Domingo)

• On working with Spielberg:

  "He looks at you and believes you can do it… there’s no ego about the work. He feels like he’s just starting out, assembling his favorite craftspeople. You’re all playing together." (61:46, Colman Domingo)

---

10. Blockbuster Summer: 'Disclosure Day' & Spielberg Collaboration

(61:03 - 63:40)

• Discuss the new Steven Spielberg movie "Disclosure Day." Colman calls it a "movie we all need right now," uniting and deeply humane:

  "I’ve seen it twice, and I cried both times. It feels like it’s trying to connect us again, inviting the idea that there’s something bigger than all of us." (63:04, Colman Domingo)

---

11. Showbiz, Age, and Gen X Wisdom

(68:04 - 69:59)

• Both find great joy in hitting their stride in their 50s—noting growing contentment, rejecting the obsession with youth, and the gritty pride of being Gen X:

  "We got a key around our neck. We're the 'fuck around and find out' generation." (69:23, Colman Domingo)

---

12. What Makes Colman Laugh?

(70:26 - 72:42)

• Comfort viewing: Colman loves to revisit Spy with Melissa McCarthy and The Color Purple (the Whoopi Goldberg version).

  "Melissa McCarthy makes me pee on myself. She’s so funny." (70:51, Colman Domingo)

• On comfort:

  "Either I want to cry hard or want to laugh harder. I don’t want to be scared—I don’t want to be bored." (71:49, Colman Domingo)

---

Notable Quotes

• Amy Poehler, on Colman’s singular vibe:
  "You have a way of moving through the world where... whatever you’re wearing, it’s like an invitation." (16:42)

• Colman, on being shaped by empathy:
  "Because my movie deals, Disclosure Date, deals a lot with the importance of empathy, Colman was a very easy choice..." (10:38, Spielberg, paraphrased by Amy)

• Colman, on career rejections:
  "At some point, you have to divorce yourself from the idea of getting the role… If they want me, they want all of me. What I give is very different than the other guy..." (65:44, Colman Domingo)

• Colman, on happiness and hope:
  "It’s important to hope for everything, but want for nothing… I’m coming to hopefully be in service and to give something." (67:00, anonymous driver’s advice; 67:41, Colman Domingo)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:24 – Spielberg reminisces, SNL, comedy roots
• 05:35 – How Spielberg met Colman Domingo
• 07:46 – Spielberg's unique audition process (cooking with actors)
• 09:11 – Spielberg describes working with Colman Domingo
• 13:39 – Colman enters with the egg keychain
• 16:42 – Discussion on style as feeling
• 18:17 – Amy & Colman on meeting via dance floor
• 19:47 – Colman reveals: Went to high school with Will Smith
• 21:11 – Colman as a shy high-schooler
• 22:13 – Colman learns self-help, reinvents himself
• 24:05 – Mother tells Colman the city lights are for him
• 33:59 – Colman and Raul: Missed connections love story
• 40:41 – Colman’s Law & Order era
• 43:55 – Stage mishaps; forgetting props
• 47:00 – Colman's honorary doctorates & commencement speech
• 48:11 – Empathy in acting
• 49:25 – Portraying Bayard Rustin
• 50:28 – On making Sing Sing; emotional labor of acting
• 54:33 – Colman’s mom writing to Oprah
• 61:46 – Describing working with Steven Spielberg
• 63:04 – On "Disclosure Day" and what the film means
• 65:44 – Handling career rejection
• 69:23 – Gen X pride
• 70:26 – What makes Colman laugh (Melissa McCarthy in Spy)

---

Memorable and Funny Moments

• Egg keychain banter – Colman gives Amy a fake egg and plastic silverware, sparking delight and laughter. (13:39-15:17)
• Dancing synchs – Both marvel at Gen X's fearless dance moves compared to Gen Z. (20:28-20:39)
• Forgotten prop, fake gun story – Colman mimes a missing stage gun. (44:55-45:13)
• Onstage doctor fantasy – Colman almost stands when they call for a doctor on his flight, because "I've played a doctor before!" (45:28-45:53)
• Cheekbone shop idea – Amy jokes Colman and Raul’s future baby would have four cheekbones and they should open a cheekbone shop. (36:10-36:16)
• Peptides mystery – Amy and Colman joke about the LA-favorite supplement: "People say it’s peptides, but nobody can say what’s in it." (59:49-60:40)

---

The Episode’s Spirit & Tone

This episode sparkles with warmth, depth, and genuine friendship-in-progress. Amy’s curiosity, compassion, and humor meet Colman’s openness, wisdom, and glow. Their shared Gen X sensibilities provide camaraderie and nostalgia, while Spielberg’s cameo sets a tone of reverence for Colman’s journey. Stories of family, self-belief, hard-earned contentment, and the joyful weirdness of showbiz give listeners inspiration, plenty of laughs, and a few tears.

---

For New Listeners

If you haven’t heard this episode, expect a rich blend of candor, inspiration, and humor—a deep-dive into how joy, empathy, and a little Philly toughness can shape a remarkable life and career. Whether you're a fan of acting, personal growth, dancing, or just great stories, this "Good Hang" delivers.

---

Recommended clips to listen for:

• Mother’s Christmas lights story (24:05)
• Meeting Raul via Craigslist missed connection (34:01)
• Law & Order / Nash Bridges acting stories (40:41, 42:12)
• Spielberg’s cooking audition method (07:46)
• Contented-life wisdom from a Toronto driver (67:00)
• Colman’s mother’s letters to Oprah and Spielberg (54:50, 56:07)
• Closing comfort picks: Melissa McCarthy in Spy (70:37-71:51)

---

Transcript

[Amy Poehler]

This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Checking Allstate first could save you hundreds on car insurance. Not checking your pockets before putting clothes in the washer. Oof. Enjoy your freshly cleaned and completely destroyed earbuds. Yeah, checking first is a good plan. So check Allstate first for an auto quote. It could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Potential savings vary subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate North American insurance company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois. Hello, everyone, and welcome to another episode of Good Hang. We have an awesome guest today, the great Colman Domingo. And Colman and I have so much fun. We. We talk about his beautiful mother, Edith, and how she shaped his life. We talk about our shared love of dancing and why it means so much to us. We talk about peptides, what are they? And who's taking them. And we also celebrate the fact that he is working with Steven Spielberg and his movie disclosure day, which is coming out this week. Big summer hit blockbuster, baby. Speaking of Steven Spielberg, Stephen joins us as our. As our guest today who's going to talk to us about Coleman. He's going to talk. Well, behind Coleman's back. And if you don't know who Steven Spielberg is, I don't know what to tell you. You know, 50 years ago, he made Jaws. Last year he was, you know, producing Hamnet, and he's made every single movie in between. So. Steven Spielberg. Mr. Spielberg, are you there? This episode of Good Hang is presented by Paul Molive. Family time isn't just the big moments. It's weeknight dinners, sitting around the table, everyone talking at once. So when the plates are empty and the sink is full, use Palmolive Ultra. Palmolive's most powerful formula removes up to 99.9% of grease, leaving your dishes sparkling clean. And the new convenient pump makes cleaning even easier so you can spend less time tackling dirty dishes and more time together. Shop [e-mail].

[Colman Domingo]

get up.

[Amy Poehler]

What do you say?

[Colman Domingo]

All I ever wanted.

[Steven Spielberg]

Hi, Amy.

[Amy Poehler]

Hi, Steven.

[Steven Spielberg]

Oh, my God. I'm on Good Hang. Good lord.

[Amy Poehler]

We gotta get you into the stewed.

[Steven Spielberg]

We tried. We weren't. We couldn't schedule it.

[Amy Poehler]

Dang. Yeah, we were like, we don't have time.

[Steven Spielberg]

Yeah, I tried. I tried. I gotta make a few more hits before I grade getting on your show.

[Amy Poehler]

We were like. We were like. We just want to see one or two more things from Stephen before we say this.

[Steven Spielberg]

Yeah, I know, I know. I love the audition process.

[Amy Poehler]

Stephen, you are my subconscious. Like the work that you have made made is in my brain. You shaped my entire life. You are a Gen X director through and through.

[Steven Spielberg]

Oh, thank you. Thank you. I love that I'm in your subconscious and yet you can still be funny. With my plethora of comedies, you know.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, I mean, I feel like I've gotten a chance to. Been lucky enough to see you at, you know, places and events and shows and stuff. And I got to see you recently at the SNL 50th.

[Steven Spielberg]

That was great. That was just great. It was hard to believe. I mean, you know, I was there the first show in 1975. I was in the audience.

[Amy Poehler]

Get out of here. Really?

[Steven Spielberg]

Yeah, it was the very first show. Yeah, I flew all the way to New York. Cause it was in the air. It was one of those things, you know, where my generation suddenly was being included in something that was going to define, Define us. And it was just. I just somehow knew I had to be there for it. And I just, you know, got a ticket and went in the audience and watched.

[Amy Poehler]

Where did you sit and watch? Were you on the floor or were you up in the balcony?

[Steven Spielberg]

No, I didn't know anybody. I just, I was, I was in the stands. Jaws had come out in June. I think the first SNL show is in October or September.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes, October 11th.

[Steven Spielberg]

Yeah. And I was there and it was incredibly. It spoke to me. And after it was over, I left with the audience and somebody came running up and grabbed me and dragged me kind of backstage to Belushi. And so John said, you the guy that made the Shark movie? And I said, yeah. He says, you gotta meet Danny. And he dragged me over to Danny and that was the beginning of my first, the first event that I really became a formal groupie because I, I've always, I've always, I've always gravitated toward comedy and stand up and comedians and, and, and I, I go, you know, Robin Williams was one of my dearest, closest friends in my whole life. And Albert Brooks and I sort of started out together and so that sort of. But I'm not the funny guy. I, I'm a good audience for all of you. I'm, I'm, I'm your best audience.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, you're here today to talk about Colman Domingo. And he's a new friend of mine. I actually met him on a dance floor, which I wanna talk about, because we were kind of. We met just like at a party.

[Steven Spielberg]

Makes sense. It so makes sense.

[Amy Poehler]

But when did you first meet Coleman? Where did you guys first meet, I

[Steven Spielberg]

was going to make a movie about Ira and George Gershwin. And I was gonna make a movie about the process of writing and staging Porgy. And, and I, I had a script and I was excited and I was casting it and I was looking for Todd Duncan who played Porgy. And I met a lot of actors and when Coleman came in to the meeting, that was the first time I, I, I became certain. First time I met Coleman. But I intended after that meeting to cast him as Todd Duncan.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, wow. Stephen, people must come in to meet with you and you must feel their nerves. So how do you get people to relax when they're having a meeting with you?

[Steven Spielberg]

Well, you know, it disadvantages me if somebody comes in and I can't find them in a 15, 20 or 30 minute meeting because of whatever expectations they bring to the meeting, how nervous some of them are. Some of them aren't nervous at all, but a lot of them. And I had this problem only because of success, because success creates a kind of false front. It's kind of like, you know, I've always seen myself early in my career being successful, but also feeling a little bit like a fake western street on a Hollywood backlot where you walk around behind the facade and there's just a bunch of two by fours holding up the facade. And people, if people only knew how nervous I am and how nervous stressed I get, they wouldn't be so nervous in front of me. And I really was. And I just, I came up with a method which I used for a couple of pictures starting with Raiders of the Lost Ark. And I decided that all the actors that I audition in person, I'm going to meet them in a kitchen and we're going to cook. We're going to, we're going to actually cook. And, and, and so for a couple of movies, starting with Raiders, everybody that came in met me in a kitchen and we were cooking stuff and that's, that was how everybody relaxed around good food.

[Amy Poehler]

That's so smart because you're also, you're just getting to do something like, it's like what do I do with my hands? Basically is what you're thinking half the time when you're stressed.

[Steven Spielberg]

Yeah, everybody becomes so real when they're covered, they're covered in flour and you know, and there's, and you're trying to break an egg and the egg spills out on the counter. I mean, everybody becomes the best version of themselves.

[Amy Poehler]

Although there must have been people like, good news, you have an audition, bad news, you need to Learn how to cook in a week.

[Steven Spielberg]

Well, the good news is you're gonna be part of a recipe. But the bad news is you're only here for 30 minutes and you're not gonna be able to eat what we made. So all the actors that came into the end of the day were able to actually feast on what we had prepared starting at 9 o' clock in the morning.

[Colman Domingo]

Right.

[Amy Poehler]

So you meet Coleman and now you guys are. And did you work together on any other films after that?

[Steven Spielberg]

What happened was I had actually cast a lot of the movie, and then I had a. Something that doesn't often happen when I'm that far down the line. But I had a kind of second thought about the project and I decided not to continue making it. That's the only reason Coleman and I didn't work together then. But remembering Coleman as well as I did, I cast him in Lincoln playing Private Green.

[Amy Poehler]

Right.

[Steven Spielberg]

And that was the first time we actually professionally worked together.

[Amy Poehler]

And what is it like working with him?

[Steven Spielberg]

Kind of like riding in a Waymo where you don't have to do anything but sit in the backseat because the car drives very well by itself. And Coleman is. When he graces your set, he brings kindness and he brings collaboration and he brings love and he brings a real sense of, let's have fun while we're working hard. While we're working hard to be serious, can we also have fun? And he makes a director look forward to going to work the next morning.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, what a dream. I mean, I'm sure you're at the point in your life and career too, where you can tell, like sometimes, you know, people. People are motivated by a lot of things as, you know, as a director, and you have to kind of find out what motivates them. But when someone has talent and ease. Yeah, it's not always the case.

[Steven Spielberg]

No, it's not always the case. I've been lucky. I've had actors. I've had a lot of actors who have been such great collaborators, you know, to work with, even on really, you know, trying films projects. But Coleman isn't about himself. He's about the whole, you know, he's. He's about. It's like the play is the thing, as Shakespeare said. He's about the play, he's about the whole. He's. He's as interested in the actors he's playing opposite, even more so than he is about his own role in the. In the whole. And that's rare. That's really, really rare. He is so full of empathy. And because my movie deals, disclosure date, you know, deals a lot with the importance of empathy. Coleman was a very easy choice for me to make, to invite him to be part of this company and part of this ensemble.

[Amy Poehler]

We cannot wait for this movie. Another hit. Stephen, huge knock on my wooden head. Listen, I'm calling it right now, okay? Now, I don't believe in jinxes, and I call it as I see it. And I'm telling you something. This movie is. Everybody is ready for this movie. It looks so good. I still don't really know what it's about, which is great. I think it has to do with aliens, but you tell me. I don't know.

[Steven Spielberg]

Well, what can I say? Here's looking at you. Here's looking at you, kid.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you have a question for me that I could ask him, big or small?

[Steven Spielberg]

I've been thinking about that. You know, he's. He's such a success, and he's so consistently successful. I'd love you to ask him, was there ever a film he auditioned for that he didn't get and he was desperate to get?

[Amy Poehler]

Ooh. Oh, yeah. I mean, I bet he has an answer to that, because I know that he. I mean, when I look at his career, he's really done a ton of different types of work. I mean, Colman, talk about empathy. He can play. He has a huge range. He can play, like, just a love bomb of a person. And he can play a really sinister, scary person, too.

[Colman Domingo]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. That's a good one. Well, Stephen, thank you so much for your time. It really means a lot. I know Coleman will be thrilled that we talked, and I can't wait to talk to him about what it's like to work with you.

[Steven Spielberg]

I can't wait. I can't wait to watch this.

[Amy Poehler]

This episode is brought to you by Visible. How many of you are currently listening to this podcast on your phone? If you are Chron online, like we all are these days, your wireless network should be too. With Visible, you get unlimited 5G data and unlimited hotspot, all powered by Verizon's 5G network. The perks of big wireless for half the cost. Visible isn't just a wireless plan. It's unlimited wireless, designed to always keep you connected and no contract holding you back. Switch [e-mail]. plans start at $25 a month. Or get our premium Visible Plus Pro plan and save $10 on month when you use promo code. Hang an exclusive offer for podcast listeners. Terms apply. See visible.com for plan features and network management details. Oh, my God. Coleman Domingo is here and he brought me.

[Colman Domingo]

I bought you a meal. I bought you a. I bought you an egg.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. Now I've been starting to get gifts, which is.

[Colman Domingo]

That's when it becomes. That's. That's when it becomes ridiculous. Right. When someone finds out what she.

[Amy Poehler]

That you like something, but. Okay, let's discuss this for the listeners. What did you bring me?

[Colman Domingo]

I bought you a fake egg. This is a cute. It's a keychain. Look at that.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, I'm gonna describe this while I show it. It is a fried egg on a keychain.

[Colman Domingo]

Yes. Do you like fried eggs?

[Amy Poehler]

I love fried eggs.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, good. Me too.

[Amy Poehler]

Sunny side up.

[Colman Domingo]

I love a sunny side up because it gets things moving. That's why not to start off there and just go to my bottle. I guess that's where we're going.

[Amy Poehler]

Let me ask you about your sunny side up. Do you like to. Cause this yolk is very exposed. Do you like to flip it once and get like.

[Colman Domingo]

I like. I like that in a little crunch.

[Amy Poehler]

Me too.

[Colman Domingo]

A little crunch. And then like so you get. Then it bursts with a little hot sauce on there. A little.

[Amy Poehler]

This is a rubber. Also, Coleman brought me plastic silverware in case I wanted to pretend to eat it. I'm not a crazy person, Coleman. I know this is fake. Okay.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, my God. Okay, well, this is. This is now gonna get ridiculous.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, I don't wanna brag, but we got a couple a list stuff up here. We got some pea pods from Jennifer Lawrence. We have.

[Colman Domingo]

Where'd the raspberries come from?

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, the raspberries. Where did they come from? Oh, moma. Moma sent us fake raspberries.

[Colman Domingo]

Moma's very.

[Amy Poehler]

Let's put it next to moma's raspberries.

[Colman Domingo]

I think that's good. Raspberries and eggs.

[Amy Poehler]

And there's an egg here.

[Colman Domingo]

There's another egg there.

[Amy Poehler]

Look at that.

[Colman Domingo]

Look at that. Oh, my God. Okay, that's too cute. Oh, my God. I made the board. It's so good. This is already a good hang. A good hang with Amy.

[Amy Poehler]

Paul, you know, Ina Garten gave us that giant chicken that's.

[Colman Domingo]

That's actually really cool.

[Amy Poehler]

Isn't that a really good chicken?

[Colman Domingo]

It's really good. I'm really fascinated by all of this.

[Amy Poehler]

I know. Isn't it cool? It's very satisfying.

[Colman Domingo]

It's good.

[Amy Poehler]

And I.

[Colman Domingo]

When did. Now. You didn't know I was gonna interview you. When did the fetish start? Tell us about your childhood, Coleman. Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

I don't know, but it's like good art. I don't know how to explain what I like, but I know it when I see it.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

I love that egg that you brough.

[Colman Domingo]

You're very welcome.

[Amy Poehler]

Cause it's realistic. I don't like children's fake food. I'm an adult.

[Colman Domingo]

Grown people's fake food. Exactly. What are you? You're not nuts. It's so good. It's.

[Amy Poehler]

Colman Domingo is here. I was really thinking about what to wear. Cause I knew you'd look incredible.

[Colman Domingo]

Do I look good? I'm fine. I'm wearing a lime green sweater situation.

[Amy Poehler]

You can wear anything, really. You look incredible in everything. You have the best style.

[Colman Domingo]

Thank you.

[Amy Poehler]

And like, the style is bigger than just clothes. Like, you have a. You have a way of moving through the world where you like. I find clothes and fashion be kind of confusing for me. Like, I'm always trying to figure it out. I don't always feel like it's a world that I understand or that I'm a part of. But whenever I see you wearing whatever you're wearing, it's like an invitation.

[Colman Domingo]

I think it is. I think literally that's what I think it is. It's like, okay. Even like, what I was supposed to wear, there was a jacket with this. And I thought, oh, no, I'm gonna go hang with Amy.

[Amy Poehler]

She's a gotta show those guns, baby.

[Colman Domingo]

I gotta show the guns. I gotta sex it up a little bit. No, I shouldn't.

[Amy Poehler]

That's what I emailed you. I was like, you gotta bring it.

[Colman Domingo]

Bring that sex. That's what our viewers want. I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. So. But I thought, like, I just wanna feel relaxed with you. Right. The jacket was just all like, you know, button up. It's a very serious business. But I was like, nah, I want to feel a little sexy.

[Amy Poehler]

But that's exactly the point. Like, the clothes never wear you. Like you. It's always a feeling. How do I get into this feeling? Right. This character? And that is what I have learned about wearing something. Like, figuring out how to dress is like, basically, how do you want to feel?

[Colman Domingo]

What do you consider your style to be when you wear a suit, I can always tell. You look so sexy and beautiful in yourself.

[Amy Poehler]

God bless you.

[Colman Domingo]

Exactly. You didn't know that this was gonna happen today, did you?

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, I hoped. I hoped.

[Colman Domingo]

No, but because also, I can tell that you feel very comfortable in your body and stuff.

[Amy Poehler]

It's comfort.

[Colman Domingo]

I think you stay. Listen, Diane, Keaton did that. Diane Keaton was like. She perfected her style in a way that was just her own. And she was always cool and chic, and it had these masculine vibes to it, and that was her.

[Amy Poehler]

Who are you wearing?

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, Paul Smith today. Paul Smith.

[Amy Poehler]

Heard of him?

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah, Paul. You know.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. We got. We're kind of new friends. We're getting to know each other. And I feel like I was trying to remember when we first met. And I think we first really met non verbally on a dance floor.

[Colman Domingo]

That's exact. You do remember it was at a night before party, Right?

[Amy Poehler]

One of the Emmys.

[Colman Domingo]

The Emmy night before parties. And we just. I don't know. The DJ was killing it that night. And you and I. And you were wearing a suit, actually.

[Amy Poehler]

Ooh.

[Colman Domingo]

You were wearing a suit. And you and I, we just cut it up. And I was like, oh, my God, Amy Poehler can dance her ass off.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God. Thank you for saying that. Right back at you. I mean, we were killing it. Why do you love to dance? I always love to ask people who love to dance why they love to dance.

[Colman Domingo]

You know, I grew up, I think my parents used to always throw the best parties. So New Year's Eve was always at our house. And we didn't have. We lived in a row home in Philadelphia. And so the basement had a bar down there.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God. We had a basement, too, where we

[Colman Domingo]

did those dark, dank basements.

[Amy Poehler]

Were your poles carpeted?

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, absolutely carpeted. We had a black Sheba, a velvet on the wall. Like, you know, she's like some black woman with an Afro and her tits out and a panther. And I would always look at it

[Amy Poehler]

and just confused, like, remember, like string art?

[Colman Domingo]

Yes, absolutely. All of that was down there. So everything was down there. Our Christmas toys were in the back, but that's a whole other thing. But it was really. We would have dance parties down there. So we'd go down there and the music was cranked up and we danced to. We just danced. I come from a family that loved to dance. My mother, before she passed. My mother passed in 2006. One of the things that my sister always loves to tell me is, like, just the week before, my mom was dancing in the aisles of Pathmark. Oh, she was dancing like, you know, playing whatever music was playing. She was dancing in the aisles. So the idea that. That's my sister's memory of my mother dancing. So I. Who can dance anywhere? Like, I have zero shame.

[Amy Poehler]

Me too. And in fact, you know, I Get it actually helps me expel a lot of my social anxiety. Yeah, Like, I'd rather dance than talk. Yes, Same here.

[Colman Domingo]

We dance like. Do you remember that show Dancing on Air?

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, well, we had dance. Well, you were from Philly.

[Colman Domingo]

Dancing on Air was Dance the one. Oh, Dance usa.

[Amy Poehler]

Dance usa.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah, exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

With Kelly Ripa.

[Colman Domingo]

With Kelly Ripa, exactly. Yeah, exactly, exactly. But, like, you and I dance, like, from that generation in the astronaut.

[Amy Poehler]

We're the same age, basically.

[Colman Domingo]

Same age. So, like, when you. You cut.

[Amy Poehler]

You tear it down 100%, we really move. And it's like.

[Colman Domingo]

Cause they don't move like that anymore. We move like we were trying to hurt somebody.

[Amy Poehler]

There's a whole thing, a trend on TikTok about how, like, showing the difference between how Gen X and Gen Z dance. Because Gen Z barely moves.

[Colman Domingo]

They barely move.

[Amy Poehler]

And Gen X, like, clear the dance floor.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, we. We.

[Amy Poehler]

Did you have high school dances and what was playing? What music was playing at those.

[Colman Domingo]

Listen.

[Amy Poehler]

Dances.

[Steven Spielberg]

Listen.

[Colman Domingo]

They had high school dances. And I went to high school with Will Smith, by the way. They had high school D, but I was.

[Amy Poehler]

You went to high school with Will Smith?

[Colman Domingo]

With Will Smith, yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Incredible. Same grade.

[Colman Domingo]

He was one, right above me.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God. What was he like in high school?

[Colman Domingo]

You know, he was a cool kid. He was actually a cool kid. He was actually very friendly. Everybody really liked him. And he performed at the Wynn Ballroom in Philadelphia. He and Jazzy Jeff. But I was a bonafide nerd. I didn't do any of that stuff.

[Amy Poehler]

Coleman.

[Colman Domingo]

No, no, no. I didn't come. I didn't turn into this until, like, second year of college because I decided I didn't want to be like that anymore. I was very shy and bookish and very awkward.

[Amy Poehler]

So you weren't, like, tearing up the dance floor in high school?

[Colman Domingo]

No, no, no. I was dancing at home with my siblings. But in high school, I didn't go to any dances. I know. This is where it gets sad. I didn't go to any dances.

[Amy Poehler]

You didn't go. You're feeling too shy.

[Colman Domingo]

I went to my prom, but I got there late because my prom date, Terry Hayes, was very late getting her dress made. So we got there very late. So I didn't even dance at my prom.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, okay.

[Colman Domingo]

This has gotten very tragic. Very tragic.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, because I feel like. I feel like that this idea of coming into your own and, like, feeling your getting in your sense of power and, like, who you are and all this stuff is, like, the theme of the. For me, your career Your life, your interview. Because I find my experience with you, I feel like you really have worked very hard to know who you are and to like show that person to the world, basically.

[Colman Domingo]

I mean, I think, listen, that started. I think one of my first jobs was at Barnes and Noble bookstore in Philadelphia. And I would take care of the self help section. This was when I was 18 years old. Self help and travel, those are the sections I took care of. And I would be in the corners and I'd be reading these books on how to become a person, to be very honest. Cause I felt I was awkward. I wasn't gregarious or anything, but I knew I wanted to become something else. And so I went to self help books and I was like, oh, to become a different person, you had to do certain things or adopt certain traits. And I think while I was becoming an actor as well, it was very useful. So I was actually trying on these different things in the way I dress, the way I express myself, the way I walk into a room, the way I spoke, you know what I mean, Where I pitched my voice, all of that stuff. So I feel like all of this was. Has been a bit manufactured, you know, because I didn't have. I was. I didn't have it before.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, you know, you've talked so much about your mom, who seems so amazing.

[Colman Domingo]

No, you would have loved her.

[Amy Poehler]

You would have loved her, I bet. And what would she tell you in those little awkward times? Like, what would she. How would she reassure you? Or. Or just like gently kind of walk by, you know, alongside you while you were feeling awkward? What would she say?

[Colman Domingo]

I'll tell you this. Well, I have to tell you a story now because of that, because you just made me think of this. When I was a kid, I used to always suffer from, like, really terrible asthma. And one time I was hospitalized and it was right. And I went in right before maybe about like November 1st or something like that. And I was in the hospital and just breathing and stuff like that, getting myself together. And then when I came out, when I was healthier, I came out and my mom picked me up at night and we're driving through the city and there's all these lights up, all the Christmas lights and stuff like that everywhere. And I said, oh my God, look at all the lights. She says, you know, they all put up their lights to welcome you back home.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, come on.

[Colman Domingo]

And so this is the mother that I had. She would make me believe that I was very special and that the world was set up to do Me more good than harm. Constantly. She was constantly going against any narrative of what the world was and telling me that I was special, that I was useful, that I can be whatever I wanted. I can travel. Cause I was always. I always had my head in the book. I was looking at images of ancient Egypt and Rome and she said, when you could grow up, you can go to those places. Go to. So I always had a huge imagination because of my mother.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

So it was in all those moments when she was just like, when I wasn't feeling great about myself or anything, she would tell me how smart I was.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Colman Domingo]

That was the thing. She always told me I was smart.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

She always said, you're so smart and so handsome.

[Amy Poehler]

That kind of early conditioning it makes. I mean, I'm saying the obvious, but it's like actually a privilege. I'm learning more and more it's a privilege to have had a parent or parents that said that to you.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah. Was your parents like that as well?

[Amy Poehler]

Absolutely. Where they would be like, you can do that. Whisper of, you can do what you want to do. You're smart, you're capable, you're useful,

[Colman Domingo]

You have purpose.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes, exactly. There's a reason why you're here. All that stuff, when it's said out loud, it changes the course of your life.

[Colman Domingo]

I think it does. I've been given so many beautiful moments by people throughout my life who told me something that maybe I didn't see in myself, even how I became an actor. One of my early college teachers, I took an acting class just as an elective. Again, my mother said, take a class for fun. Take something to get you outside of yourself. And so we thought about an acting. And I took this class and then this teacher, Chris Wolf, he said to me, first time I ever heard this from anyone, truly. He said, have you ever thought about acting as a profession? I was like, I don't even know what that is.

[Amy Poehler]

I don't know how.

[Colman Domingo]

I'm a kid in West Philly. I don't know. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

What were your parents jobs?

[Colman Domingo]

No, my mom worked at a bank for a long time. She cleaned houses and then she kept going back to school. Eventually she worked in customer service at like First Pennsylvania Bank. Yeah, my dad sanded hardwood floors. He was my stepfather and he was just a blue collar worker. I would work with him on the summers and make some extra money. So they were very much like, just like just good working class folks and they wanted you to go to college and do better than them. So they were just like really Trying to prepare you for things. But I'd never heard until I got to college that someone said, I would be curious if you followed this path as an actor. He said, because I think you have a gift. And I realized that I'd never heard someone tell me I had a gift at something.

[Amy Poehler]

Right.

[Colman Domingo]

And so suddenly I was like, gift. And he said. And then he said this. It was like a challenge. He said, I'd be very curious if you followed that path. That was like mic drop.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, because we. I mean, I don't. I want to get into this this early, but Colman and I are both enneagram eights.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah, we are. Yeah, we are. Yeah. Yeah, exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

And we love a challenge.

[Colman Domingo]

We got that from Tina Fey. Was like, what's that?

[Amy Poehler]

Tina made Coleman take the test on the set of the Four Seasons. He got an eight. I was thrilled.

[Colman Domingo]

And please explain that again, what the eight movies are.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, God. My audience is gonna be like, but we're the chall. I guess the point is, he challenged you. I'd be so curious what you do with that gift. And that is a motivating factor for us is like, a little bit of a challenge, is exciting for us. Sometimes it's like our way through. Like, we like a little challenge. I mean, we're so easy. Everybody has their ways that, like, we think we're not manipulated, but we respond well to when someone says, I bet you can't do that.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, my God.

[Amy Poehler]

We're like, I bet I can do that.

[Colman Domingo]

Yes, it's true.

[Amy Poehler]

It's true. I'm the same way. When someone's like, maybe. Maybe that's not for you. I'm like, no, it's 100% for me for the rest of my life.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, my God. Where are you from?

[Amy Poehler]

From Boston. I'm right. I'm right around the corner.

[Colman Domingo]

Right on the corner of the show. Exactly. But see, but it's a city of underdogs as well. Like, Tina and I, we always talk about that. We're like, there's something that Philly in us. Like, yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

You don't see. Philly makes Boston look like London, England. Tina and I always talk about it.

[Colman Domingo]

It's true. It's true.

[Amy Poehler]

Philly is wild.

[Colman Domingo]

It's wild. I mean, look at her, Ma. I mean, it's just like. I mean, Philly's fanatic. I mean, that's insane. I don't even. Still don't even know what that is.

[Amy Poehler]

It's an insane person.

[Colman Domingo]

I mean, we have the mummers parade. We have The Mummers is like, just drunk Irish people on New Year's Day.

[Amy Poehler]

The only time I've ever been called a C word to my face is at the Philadelphia airport.

[Colman Domingo]

Wait, what?

[Amy Poehler]

When Tina and I were. When Tina and I were touring, and we wouldn't give a guy one of the weird, like, you know, autograph people there. When they follow you around the airport and it gets really stressful. And we were like, oh, you're stressing us out a little bit. And then he flung the C word. And Tina turned to me, and she goes, welcome to Philly. And I was like, yes.

[Colman Domingo]

It was like a badge of honor, though. You're like, yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, exactly.

[Colman Domingo]

They like me here.

[Amy Poehler]

But I want to say, but you getting out of Philly, you go to San Francisco. But I just want to stay with one thing that I love, Coleman, about you is like, also, there's, like, these. There's shy kid trying to find his way. Mom who told him he was special and the Christmas lights were for him. You go from Philly to San Fran. Why San Fran? Why do you move there?

[Colman Domingo]

Because I had a couple college buddies. It always happens. This is usually the story. I have a couple college buddies, actually three of them, that were living in a studio apartment in the Tenderloin district. They were like, san Francisco is amazing. I was struggling in school. I was working two jobs and trying to matriculate. And I was like. My mom was like, you know, you can take a semester off, and you can always go back to school. And so I have these friends of mine that moved out to San Francisco. They're like, come out. I was like, great. Like, literally come out. Cause I was also there. That's another sidebar. I.

[Amy Poehler]

You'd also come out.

[Colman Domingo]

Joke. I was going to come out when I was in San Francisco.

[Amy Poehler]

You would come out and also just come out everywhere.

[Colman Domingo]

Sure. So then I moved to San Francisco, and it was four guys living in a studio apartment in the Tenderloin district. And if anyone out there doesn't know the Tenderloin district.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Tell everybody about that.

[Colman Domingo]

You know, ladies of the night and, you know.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, it was a really wild, exciting time.

[Colman Domingo]

Very exciting. But that's when it was, like, crisp.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. What was your rent? Do you remember how much your rent was?

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, I do remember. My. It was for. That studio was 625. 625.

[Amy Poehler]

Split four ways.

[Colman Domingo]

Split four ways. And we're just, like, there to like. And I literally slept. This is also a terrible joke, but I literally slept in a closet every Morning.

[Amy Poehler]

You come out of the closet because

[Colman Domingo]

we had a walk in closet. And so I was the third guy, fourth guy moving in there. And I literally slept in a walk in closet.

[Amy Poehler]

And you're too tall. I mean, for people that don't know or can't or haven't been next to had the pleasure of being next to you, you're six two.

[Colman Domingo]

Six two. That's right.

[Amy Poehler]

Congrats.

[Colman Domingo]

Tall drink of water.

[Amy Poehler]

That doesn't cause all these teeny tiny actors. There's a lot of actors.

[Colman Domingo]

There's a lot of little actors.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, there are. And you know, I kind of get it because, like, you know, it's good for camera. I love being in a scene with a six two gentleman.

[Colman Domingo]

It's kind of hot, right?

[Amy Poehler]

Also, it's just a great view. Like, it's a great angle. Like, when we turn around, the camera's gonna be up here. Okay, so you go to San Fran. There you're working as a bartender. You're writing. Do you remember the first play that you wrote? What was it about?

[Colman Domingo]

The first play I wrote was called Up Jump Springtime. And that is the title of a Stan Getz and Abby Lincoln song. And it goes, I was out promenading in high hopes for fading that dreams ever really come true Then up jumped springtime I gotta look at you. And it was a play that I wrote. I adapted a bit of a novel and I sort of embedded my work in there as well. Really was about coming of age as a young queer man. And I had three actors. We played all the roles. We played men, women, lovers, mothers, fathers, sisters, whatever. But it was really about the experience that nobody was writing about at the time.

[Amy Poehler]

It must have felt so good to be a successful playwright while you were also auditioning and being an actor.

[Colman Domingo]

I think so. But to be honest, I didn't consider myself a. I considered myself a writer at that time and. And I grew into becoming a playwright.

[Amy Poehler]

What year was this that you're writing? What year?

[Colman Domingo]

I started writing about 1997, the last play. I've written plays and musicals. I've written the Donna Summer musical. Oh, I wanna talk about it on Broadway. I wrote a musical.

[Amy Poehler]

Broadway. You wrote the book for the Donna Summer musical?

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah. No, right.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, again, in that high school world of like the dances we were at or we weren't at Donna Summer. Her music was so important to our generation and to every generation. But I feel like Donna Summer doesn't quot get spoken about.

[Colman Domingo]

She doesn't. And she was one of the greatest Singers, I think, that has ever walked this planet.

[Amy Poehler]

I agree.

[Colman Domingo]

Because also her voice, she could do anything with her voice. Yeah, she could sing opera, she could sing country, she could sing disco. I think that her voice. I mean, she even famously talked about her voice, which is like, no, I make music and you just never know where I'm gonna be angled in that way.

[Amy Poehler]

And then before we move on to you, like the career stuff, I just wanna pause to talk about. Cause it is around this time that you meet your husband?

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, no, I met my husband 21 years ago. So in 2005.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. So not in San. You met him in.

[Colman Domingo]

No. Funny. It's a weird thing. Cause I lived in San Francisco for 10 years, moved to New York. I go back to San Francisco to do a show at Berkeley Rep. Yeah. I go to Berkeley, California. I'm crossing paths, going into a Walgreens with the most beautiful person I think I've ever seen. Not even just beautiful aesthetically, but, like, just energetically. We never speak. Three days later, I'm trying to buy a used computer on Craigslist. I couldn't stop thinking about him. And I thought about posting one of the Craigslist Miss Connections ads.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, it's so analogous.

[Colman Domingo]

It's so analog.

[Steven Spielberg]

Right.

[Colman Domingo]

I used to read them like crazy.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

And I get to the second page and third one down. I remember exactly the placement. And it said, saw you outside of Walgreens, Berkeley. He placed it just an hour before I looked. So we were looking for each other, and then we met, and I'm so uncool. We met three days later, had our first date, and I literally was like, I think I love you. You're gonna change my life. That's how uncool I am, though.

[Amy Poehler]

But that's so good. That's so direct. Also, everyone that took a look at Raul, like, everyone would be like, I love you immediately.

[Colman Domingo]

Maybe he got that a lot. Like, I love you immediately.

[Amy Poehler]

I get it. You gotta lock that down fast.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah, that was like.

[Amy Poehler]

But that's. You, like, you're very. I mean, what I'm learning about you, you're in the moment. And also, you've. One of the many, many things that I love about getting to know you is you. There's not a lot of like. Like, you people know how you feel.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah. There's no question.

[Amy Poehler]

That's a. But that's a love language. Like, I'm going to just tell you how I feel now. I'm going to take that risk. I'm like, that's. That's what vulnerability is like. I'm just going to tell you right now, I love you. Like, that's amazing.

[Colman Domingo]

And I'm always telling people too, like, don't play any games.

[Amy Poehler]

Me too.

[Colman Domingo]

Just be straight up.

[Amy Poehler]

Just be straight. If you don't like it. You don't like me.

[Colman Domingo]

Exactly. Then that takes time away from, you know, just move away. Get out the way then.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Colman Domingo]

Because the people who will receive that, they're gonna be right there with me.

[Amy Poehler]

And so you guys have been together 22 years? 21 years.

[Colman Domingo]

22 years, yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

You know, here at Good Hang, we only allow a few spouses to come because, you know, you don't want to have everybody's wife and husband around.

[Colman Domingo]

That's true.

[Amy Poehler]

And we've had the most amazing group of people. We' Raul's here today?

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah, he is.

[Amy Poehler]

We've got. He's in the green room. Hi, Raul.

[Steven Spielberg]

Hey, Raul.

[Colman Domingo]

Hey. Hi.

[Amy Poehler]

I love you. Raul's here today. We had Carol Burnett bring her husband Brian. And we've had Viola Davis's husband Julius.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, that's great.

[Amy Poehler]

And that's it.

[Colman Domingo]

That's it. That's it for the Good Hang. That's it.

[Amy Poehler]

That's it. No more spouses. No.

[Colman Domingo]

Raul's like a cat. He's sort of like, you know, you barely even know he's here.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, and the cheekbones.

[Colman Domingo]

What?

[Amy Poehler]

On both cheekbones.

[Colman Domingo]

We bought him for the cheekbones.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, both of you guys are like, cheekbone. You guys could open up a cheekbone shot.

[Colman Domingo]

That's our next adventure.

[Amy Poehler]

It is true.

[Colman Domingo]

And it's funny because sometimes when we're with other people, they can't even tell that we're. I guess it's a compliment. They can't tell that we've been together for so long.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes, that is a compliment.

[Colman Domingo]

They can't tell because we're still like, very in love with each other.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Colman Domingo]

And we have fun and we're touchy feely. But also then even when we're in groups of people, they're like, oh, my God, how do you guys know each other? Oh, that's my husband. They're like, oh, my gosh, that's my bro. But that's also my husband. He's like a lot of fun. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And I wish you two could have children together. And I know just. But just the two of you.

[Colman Domingo]

Wait for the science to happen. Many things can happen.

[Amy Poehler]

Faces alone.

[Colman Domingo]

Do you just want those cheekbones on a baby?

[Amy Poehler]

Those cheekbones on that baby maybe would have four cheekbones. This episode is brought to you by L.L. bean yes, I may record this podcast in a studio, but I'll be the first to say that some of the best memories are made outdoors, especially in summer. Long sunny days on the coast. Swimming, camping, eating lobster rolls. You just can't beat it. And L.L. bean has all the clothing and gear you need to make these memories. Their effortless styles are designed for summers spent outside with family and friends, like hand sewn boat shoes, coastal cotton sweaters, rugged polos, and of course, the boat and tote. This iconic bag has been made in Maine since 1944 and is tested to hold up to 500 pounds. That is a lot of sunscreen or groceries or beach towels. You can even personalize it with a custom monogram or cute tot. And L.L. bean's home state of Maine, Vacationland is more than a state motto, it's a state of mind. L.L. bean be an outsider. Visit llbean.com to learn more. This episode is brought to you by Subaru. Most cars just stick to the asphalt, but hybrids can be found on dirt roads, back roads and everything in between. Because the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid and Subaru Forester Hybrid were built for adventure. With up to 597 miles per tank in the Crosstrek Hybrid and 58081 miles in the Forester Hybrid, Love goes the extra mile in the Subaru Forester Hybrid and CrossTrek Hybrid. Visit subaru.com hybrid to learn more. Maximum range based on EPA, estimated combined fuel economy and a full tank of fuel. Actual mileage and range may vary. So you're saying with Hilton Honors I can use points for a free night stay anywhere? Anywhere? What about fancy places like the canopy in Paris? Yeah, Hilton Honors, baby. Or relaxing sanctuaries like the Conrad in Tulum? Hilton Honors, baby. What about the five star Waldorf Astoria in the Maldives? Are you gonna do this for all 9,000 properties? When you want points that can take you anywhere, anytime, it matters where you stay. Hilton for the Stay this episode is brought to you by Visible. How many of you are currently listening to this podcast on your phone? If you are chronically online, like we all are these days, your wireless network should be too. With visible, you get Unlim 5G data and unlimited hotspot, all powered by Verizon's 5G network. The perks of big wireless for half the cost. Visible isn't just a wireless plan. It's unlimited wireless, designed to always keep you connected and no contract holding you back. Switch [e-mail] plans start at $25 a month or get our premium Visible Plus Pro plan and save $10 on your first month when you use promo code Hannah Hang an exclusive offer for podcast listeners. Terms apply. See visible.com for plan features and network management details. When I've been looking at your career, which you've done so many things, so many different parts all over the spectrum. Like Coleman, you just. You play really intense, like, kind of joyous love bomb characters. You play deeply complicated and oftentimes scary and terrifying characters. You can do it all. You've done so many different parts. But what I love is your path is the one that I recognize because we're the same age of what all actors kind of did to start. Because you didn't have an in. You were just like, how do I get started making the work? And so you do. You're like, learning on the job. And, I mean, you're even in Law and Order, which, like, you're not an

[Colman Domingo]

actor if you were in Law and Order. Exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

Exactly what you were on. What did you play? Do you remember your character?

[Colman Domingo]

I was on, like, I'd love to ask three or four Law and Orders.

[Amy Poehler]

I was on different characters.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, yeah, yeah, exactly. Remember the Law and Order? Criminal Intent, of course. And I played a schizophrenic heroin addict.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay.

[Colman Domingo]

I played an attorney.

[Amy Poehler]

Perfect.

[Colman Domingo]

I played an attorney on one of them with Dennis Bucateras.

[Amy Poehler]

You went from the schizophrenic heroin addict to an attorney.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah, exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

That's acting now.

[Colman Domingo]

That's acting. I also was a bartender at a leather. At a gay leather bar. Exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

Like unpacking the various ball gags as you were telling them about.

[Colman Domingo]

Cause you know what I love about Law and Order is that they're so busy. They're so busy when the cops are talking to them. They're just like, New Yorkers. Didn't have time for anybody. They're like, I'm sorry, I gotta pack these bags while you're talking to me, Officer. What?

[Amy Poehler]

I gotta get the fruit off this truck. I don't have time for that dead girl. It's incredible.

[Colman Domingo]

I love watching in particular for that. I'm like, the walking tuck. We're too busy for these officers to talk to us. I love it.

[Amy Poehler]

Totally.

[Colman Domingo]

A very busy bartender. Yes, exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

And was exciting to get those parts at the time. That was a big gig.

[Colman Domingo]

Because if you didn't get Law and Order, you felt like you were garbage. You were like, I know. I got you.

[Amy Poehler]

I never got in Law and Order and I. Is my dream. If I could go back in the time machine. If I could back to the future of my life, the one thing I would do differently, and maybe it would change my whole. Maybe it would change.

[Colman Domingo]

Book a Law and Order.

[Amy Poehler]

I would. Book a Law and Order. I would.

[Colman Domingo]

That was my goal. But listen, when I lived in San Francisco, the gig was to get booked on Nash Bridge. Cause that was. That was.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, I played one of them with John Johnson.

[Colman Domingo]

Every dumb criminal on that show, I played one of them. Exactly. And yes. And I literally. Wait. There's one episode, and people can watch it. It's my favorite episode of me. I kidnapped Don Johnson's daughter, and then he found me. And I happened to be wearing a coogee sweater while I was working out.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, sure.

[Colman Domingo]

I was wearing, like, you know, that Bill Cosby Coogee sweater? I was wearing a Coogee sweater, like, while I was working. And he busts through the door, and I'm like, oh. And I throw the weights off and I'm running. Then he kicks me in the ass through the window. And then he picks me up. He slaps me around. He's like, where is she? Where is she? It's my favorite episode. It's so crazy and rabid. And you're like, what is happening? You're wearing a Coogee sweater while I'm working out. I'm bench pressing. I was like. But also, I was a young actress. I didn't question it. I'm like, of course.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

No more than I do.

[Amy Poehler]

That's what we're wearing.

[Colman Domingo]

And at the time, I didn't work out, so I don't know. I thought people worked out in coogee sweaters.

[Amy Poehler]

Acting is so embarrassing. I love it so much. I love it. Okay, then you go to New York. You're doing a million plays on Broadway and the West End. And I do have some important theater questions because I have such respect for people who do that grind. It is such a grind. It is the hardest job. I mean, to have the hardest part of your day be at the end of your day, to have to show up every day and do the same thing, and you're not getting paid a lot of money when you're doing theater and. And you are, you know, you're, like, being asked to do a lot. But I. I'm always curious about a couple things. I'm like, oh, Coleman will tell me the truth. Okay.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Have you ever thrown up on stage? Okay. No, I haven't, because these are some of my stage theaters, like, my anxieties. Have you? What do you do if you have to, in the middle of a scene, go to the bathroom. You just. You just hold it.

[Colman Domingo]

You hold it. You. You hold it. Although I did. There was a situation where your character went the bathroom. You just have to. You know what, listen, I like, I make sure before I go out. It's a practice. Yeah, you have to go. You have to make that happen.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Colman Domingo]

Whatever.

[Amy Poehler]

Number one.

[Colman Domingo]

Number two, it's gotta happen right now.

[Amy Poehler]

It's gotta happen. You gotta have a egg over easy.

[Colman Domingo]

You gotta make it happen.

[Amy Poehler]

You gotta make it happen. Have you ever forgotten lines on stage?

[Colman Domingo]

No, no. But I've had to work with some people who sometimes would flub some things and you'd have to, you have to help support it, make it better.

[Amy Poehler]

My biggest nightmare, which is like someone skips ahead.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

When you're in a session. Oh, I have that.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, I fully have that. And they skipped ahead of my. Oh, wait, wait. Exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

It's a living stress dream.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah, exactly. Oh no, it's true. And it happens. But I think that's the joy of it too.

[Amy Poehler]

For sure.

[Colman Domingo]

So you're like, that makes you wily. And you're like, I gotta work on my feet. I gotta get that storyline back in there or I gotta make that cue happen.

[Amy Poehler]

Challenger, I love it. You're such a challenger. Have you ever forgotten a prop, like been like gone in a scene to see.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh yeah, I forgot the props.

[Amy Poehler]

And you reach in your pocket for the.

[Colman Domingo]

I think I forgot a gun. I forgot a gun. And I was like.

[Amy Poehler]

And you were like, I just had

[Colman Domingo]

to hold it like this. Like I was real strong. They're looking at me like, where's the gun? And I'm like, it's right here. Tough.

[Amy Poehler]

You didn't just point your finger?

[Colman Domingo]

I didn't point the finger. I was smart enough to not do that, so. But I just was strong and I was threat. But there was no gun. Exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

Have you ever had to say, is there a doctor in the house?

[Colman Domingo]

No, but somebody said that on my flight the other day and I was like, they did. And I literally thought, well, I played a doctor before and I thought, that's not what they want. They're like, I'm sorry, if someone needs a medical emergency, is there a doctor on board? And I was like, literally, for a second I thought what? I literally thought I was a doctor

[Steven Spielberg]

for a second because I played.

[Colman Domingo]

I swear to God, I really thought about it. I'm like, I can't do it. I wouldn't do anything.

[Amy Poehler]

When did you play a doctor?

[Colman Domingo]

I played a doctor on the Nick.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, yeah. That show is great.

[Colman Domingo]

Exactly. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, it must be to be a doctor. And when you hear. This is why you know you're not a doctor. Because when you hear, is there a doctor on board? And you're like, ooh, but a real. A regular doctor must be like, oh,

[Colman Domingo]

God, they must be.

[Amy Poehler]

They must be.

[Colman Domingo]

But also, you start thinking, like, doctors do different things. There's not one. Right. So you think like, well, I have a doctorate, but you really do. Yes, I have a doctorate. I have a doctor. You have a doctorate.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, I do not have a

[Colman Domingo]

doctorate yet I have a doctorate.

[Amy Poehler]

Not to like, but it just must be like, oh, God, can I pretend I'm not a doctor?

[Colman Domingo]

They're like, I'm just watching.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

I want to finish this movie. I want to finish this. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

I'm almost done with this season of Summer House. Like, wait, you have a doctorate?

[Colman Domingo]

I do. I just got two in a month. Isn't that crazy? Oh, my God.

[Amy Poehler]

Congratulations.

[Colman Domingo]

It's kind of greedy, though, too, I think. I just got one from Swarthmore College. I'm a Doctor of Arts as of four days ago.

[Amy Poehler]

Fantastic.

[Colman Domingo]

And I got one from my alma mater, Temple University.

[Amy Poehler]

That must have been really something.

[Colman Domingo]

It was really wonderful.

[Amy Poehler]

You went back and did you have to give a speech?

[Colman Domingo]

I gave the commencement address at Temple, and I gave a little acceptance speech at Swarthmore, and I think. But what I loved about it, especially right now, I feel like something about being with young people and students and just like. Cause I feel like they really need to hear some words out here, like, how's it gonna be? And they need to be inspired.

[Amy Poehler]

What was your kind of. What was your organizing principle for your temple Talk?

[Colman Domingo]

Love.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

I really feel like the more that I distill things of what I care about right now, what I inspire people to do is to love more and whatever that means. I feel like that encompasses a lot if I'm talking about love and service and if people can attach themselves to that in whatever way it is for them. So I feel like I'm talking a lot about that, because I feel like that's what we need to hear. I don't want to, oh, you know, make this world your. And do this, and I don't need to do all that. But if you do it with love, whatever you're doing, just participate and feel like that, you know, you have a voice, and you can be the change. You know, there's. And don't. Be afraid of what's out there. There's probably jobs out there that aren't even. Don't even have a name yet that you're gonna create. So I feel like I just wanna inspire that with their imagination as well, you know?

[Amy Poehler]

Well, I mean, the word that I've heard described, a word that is used to describe you a lot, is empathy. Is the empathetic way in which you not only work with people because you learn a lot by somebody, about somebody, by how they work. But that makes perfect sense that that's what you would be talking about. Because, I mean, in all the characters that you've played, you have even characters that feel like they're really the villain of the story, there is. You are always approaching them with that basically, that they're a human being.

[Colman Domingo]

I think so. I think I have to love every character that I play. And I feel like even though the villainous ones or, like whether I'm playing a pimp or a. In the Color Purple or Joe Jackson, I feel like I never try to take the lens of what everyone else says about the person. I do my study and my research, and I find out who that person is and find my way in. Usually that person's connected to some part of me in some way.

[Amy Poehler]

You're working Color Purple, you're working in Michael. The work you've done, the work you've done on stage. Rustin, how did that change? I mean, that portrayal was so beautiful and also just like a part that met you at the time when you were ready for it.

[Colman Domingo]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Did it feel like that?

[Colman Domingo]

It did. It felt like we were meeting each other when we needed each other. Like this role, this moment to pull Bayer Rustin out of the.

[Amy Poehler]

For people who don't know Baya Rustin

[Colman Domingo]

was the organizer of the march on Washington. He was an openly gay man at a time, of course, when it was not cool to himself or his body or him having momentum in this world. And he defied all that. And he was brilliant. No one could deny that he was. He was brilliant and he was smart, but he was always on the sidelines of history. And I felt like. And I can maybe I'll say it in this way too. I felt that my career was very similar in that way. I would show up, I would do the work. I was a practitioner, but I was always sort of a bit marginalized. And then in a way, just like, oh, yeah, that's great. But that serves that purpose. But it's never the engine or something. But I knew I Could be the ender. And so when I finally got this opportunity, it felt like we were meeting each other. We're like, oh, I know this guy. I've lived with him. He's a part of me as well.

[Amy Poehler]

And then also, I just have to talk to you about Sing Sing.

[Colman Domingo]

Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

Colman. Colman. I watched that on an airplane, and I love to cry on an airplane. Me too.

[Colman Domingo]

Me too. It's the best thing I love.

[Amy Poehler]

I bet we're similar. I like to cry by myself on an airplane.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And hopefully under a blanket.

[Colman Domingo]

Exactly. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ye.

[Amy Poehler]

That must have felt like such a work of talking about love. Like, it must have felt like, what was it like to make that film?

[Colman Domingo]

I think that's exactly what it felt like. It felt like I knew that I had the opportunity to help tell the story of these men in a really complex way.

[Amy Poehler]

Incarcerated men.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah, these men were incarcerated, you know, with this beautiful arts program in the center of it. And they hung onto it like it was their. It was a new path for them to exhibit empathy and joy and dance and art and all this other stuff. So it was really like healing them in many ways. And I worked with a group of formerly incarcerated men who went through the program, and I really led this film and we produced it as well. But I knew it was something that, like, I think I got paid, like $150 a day, and we had a very tight schedule.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, it looks like a labor hour.

[Colman Domingo]

And this is the kind of work that you're like, oh, this why I can do that other high profile work. And I can put my attention on work like this. That's very necessary. And so we created with, like, we locked arms together, and that's what it felt like, locking arms. And it was a great, beautiful challenge for me because these men have the lived experience of being incarcerated and going through this program. And it was the first time that I think I was challenged with actually giving even more of myself of, like, putting myself in those circumstances. Like, yeah, I could be wrongfully accused of something. I could be in the wrong place at the wrong time. A lot of people in prison or not, they don't belong in prison, you know, so I can find that part of myself. So I think it was a bit more bearing of my own soul and that work. And I think that's what the difference is for me. I can see it, which is why I feel like I haven't watched the movie that often, because I feel like when I watch it, I feel, you know, when you watch something, you're like, oh, it takes you right back to the scene. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

It's basically what I always. I have, like, a somatic experience. If I'm watching something, I've done much more than remembering, like, even the plot or story or, like, I just remember the feeling I had making it.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah. That's interesting. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

That must have been an intense feeling.

[Colman Domingo]

It was pretty intense, yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, it's so. You're so good in it. You're such a natural leader. And you can tell in that film that you're leading people through the film while being in the moment, in the character.

[Colman Domingo]

Well, the funny thing is, I did that movie after Rustin.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

And I really felt like.

[Amy Poehler]

Were you doing them at the same time? Basically.

[Colman Domingo]

A little bit. A little bit. Because I had to do pickups for Rustin right after. And then I started the Color Purple. But I literally felt like sort of that trio of. Of films really ignited that true leader in me on sets. You know, I feel like. And as a leading actor, too, I sort of. I literally moved into my leading actor phase in a way, like, sort of. But I feel like I needed all those years of supporting and being sort of that utilitarian actor in plays and things like that. I needed all of that. But I was always. Even when I was doing work on stage, I was always the Equity deputy, so I was always the one that everyone came to right the wrongs or, you know, advocate for actors or practices or something like that. So I was, like, always the one saying, being willing. But now I really have the role and the opportunity. And so then I took that into my leadership of Sing Sing, and it just kept going.

[Amy Poehler]

It's such incredible work. I loved it so much. I wish we were friends then, because I would have texted the shit out of you. Okay, so as we're wrapping up, and we're gonna talk about your new movie, Disclosure Day, which is gonna be a gigantic hit. Holy shit. And Four Seasons, which I love you on let to the fact that you've worked with and have been influenced by and shaped by amazing women.

[Colman Domingo]

Yes. Truly.

[Amy Poehler]

Your mother being the first Edith, who I just. Everything I read about her, I just love. I love her face and I love. I just. She just seems like a wonderful person.

[Colman Domingo]

Thank you.

[Amy Poehler]

And I love the story of Edith writing letters to Oprah Winfrey, who, of course, was a producer in the Color Purple version that you did. And can you just tell that story about how your mom wrote letters when you.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, my God. Okay, get this. My mom would she would. When I was starting out as an actor in San FRANCISCO in the 90s, I would call my mom. We would talk a couple times a week. And, you know, I would have my struggles as an actor. And she's like. She would always say, well, you know, I wrote Oprah today. I was like, why? And she said, well, you know, she can help you. I was like, what's she gonna do? You know, she helps people. You know, just write a letter. She can help you.

[Amy Poehler]

She's the lady that helps you.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah, I want you to. You're. So. If Oprah found out how good you were, she could help you. And I was like, okay, whatever. So anyway, so then, like, over and over again, this was like, maybe. I would say eight times, my mom wrote Oprah. And I was. And I remember so frustrated. Oh, my God, will you please stop writing Oprah? I'm like, that's. It feels crazy. So, anyway, cut to. Years later, I just have to sidebar say this. My mother always. She was like. She was so hopeful, and she was. She would say, oh, my gosh, I just need. I just want Spike Lee to know you and Steven Spielberg. And they should. They would love you. They would just love you. And I'm about to cry. I think about this. But she always had that much faith that people. Even if I didn't see it, she thought these people, if they just got to know you, they would love you the way I love you.

[Amy Poehler]

Oof. Yeah. That's hard.

[Colman Domingo]

And literally, I'm like. Because I look at my life now, and all these people are in my life.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Amazing.

[Colman Domingo]

I do believe that sometimes people have dreams for you. You don't, even for yourself. And at some point, they meet.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

And so I had this moment. I was in Maui with Oprah, walking on her beautiful mountain, and we're hiking, and suddenly I said, oh, my God. It just occurred to me. I said, my mother used to write to you over and over again. And she says, really? I said, yeah. And she. She sort of stops and she says, I want. I don't know if I got the letters, but I know I got the message. And then we just continued to walk hand in hand. And I really do believe. It's like, I know that. Like, how can I say it? I think that I know that, like, when I lost my mom in 2006 and I lost my mom and my stepfather in the same year, I just. I knew that, like my friend Melissa said when I was very bereft, and I said, what am I going to do? With all this love, I know that I was a good son. If I wasn't anything else, I was good son. And she said, we're gonna put the love into everything you do.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

And. And let. And that will be. You'll do it in dedication to your mom. And so literally, I feel like. Because I've been leading that way, I've been meeting every person. It's like my mother's own wizard of Oz. I've been meeting every person that she laid out for me.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Colman Domingo]

And that they've loved me the way that she loves me.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Colman Domingo]

And so the reason, like, with Disclosure Day is like, she wanted me. She wanted Steven Spielberg to know me. She didn't know Steven Spielberg would love me. But we love each other now, and he's my family, you know, I love that.

[Amy Poehler]

I love Edith so much. Beautiful.

[Colman Domingo]

And when I tell you, and I don't say this lightly, you would love her. She was fun and sweet and liked to dance. I think I'm a lot like her, to be honest. And she talked to everybody. She would really. When I was a kid, it was annoying. I was like, mom, can we just go in and out the bank? And she's like, how are you? How are you doing? She flirted with everybody, too. Look at your legs. You are so cute, Amy.

[Steven Spielberg]

Oh, my God.

[Colman Domingo]

She would do that.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, you know what's kind of fun? When you. When you're a woman of a certain age. I just realized it the other day. I was like, watch it, Amy. Like, you get to a certain age where you start going, you're beautiful.

[Colman Domingo]

You.

[Amy Poehler]

Look at your butt. Wow, he's got nice arms.

[Colman Domingo]

Exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

And everyone's like, oh, that little old lady is so nice.

[Colman Domingo]

That was my mother.

[Amy Poehler]

But you got to be careful.

[Colman Domingo]

You got to be careful. Exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

You just go, wow, look at her face.

[Colman Domingo]

But also, my mother was old school, so she would reach out and touch her, too. She would jump.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, yeah. My grandmother used to be like, oh, look at the chest on him. And I'd be like, nana, you can't touch.

[Colman Domingo]

So now you're becoming that, and I'm becoming that good.

[Amy Poehler]

And how's it like working with my wife for life, Tina Fey?

[Colman Domingo]

We have such a good time together. The wildest thing is, it's funny. When I first met Tina, she's shy, too. She's very shy. But I thought. I didn't know what to think of her when I first met. Cause I thought she. I thought she's very. She's like a scientist. Especially when it comes to comedy and being very thoughtful. But she's also very. I find her to be very tender and very sweet.

[Amy Poehler]

She's very sweet.

[Colman Domingo]

She's very sweet, and she's more touchy feely than I knew. And I love that we've sort of become. I feel like she's becoming one of my good friends.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

Cause I love. I text, she texts right back. She's always in my corner. She's just. Once I found out she's a Taurus, too. She's a Taurus? What are you, Sagittarius? Oh, yeah, Taurus. Once she says, I found out she's a Taurus, I'm like, I got you figured out. I lived with one for 21 years, so I got you.

[Amy Poehler]

She wanted me to ask you, what peptides are you on.

[Colman Domingo]

That's right. I'm not on anybody, but I feel like I want to.

[Amy Poehler]

I feel like she's like. She's in the writer's room right now. And she said, ask Coleman. The writers want to know, where does he get his energy blood?

[Colman Domingo]

Peptides all think I'm on something because they're like, how are you possibly doing all this stuff? But it's just. It's like, we got to get pept.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, my dream is that while we're. While I'm recording these podcasts, we're all getting peptides at the same time.

[Colman Domingo]

I feel like we should, because I think peptides, like, whatever Peptides is doing, I don't know, people are looking good.

[Amy Poehler]

You know what I love about peptides is people are like, I'm getting all these peptides, and it's like, what's in it? And they're like, I don't know.

[Colman Domingo]

Yes, that's everyone.

[Amy Poehler]

Everyone's like, you're just shooting it in.

[Colman Domingo]

And they're like, hope for the best.

[Amy Poehler]

Hope for the best.

[Steven Spielberg]

I don't know.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. You get them every day. And it's what's in it. It's called B1.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah, but you're right. No one can describe what it is.

[Amy Poehler]

No. No one knows what it is.

[Colman Domingo]

No.

[Amy Poehler]

In fact, it's better not to know. Just like, let's just go. Let's just peptide it up.

[Colman Domingo]

Let's do it. Peptide it up. You and I. Let's do it. Peptide this shit up.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. You're in the big movie of the summer. It's. I mean, let's. Steven Spielberg. So we have this thing where we talk to people before our podcast and we find out more about them. We talk well behind their Back and we talk to Steven Spielberg.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, you know, you didn't.

[Amy Poehler]

Y.

[Colman Domingo]

Did what?

[Amy Poehler]

Yes, we talked to Steven Spielberg. I was very nervous.

[Colman Domingo]

Wow.

[Amy Poehler]

I actually. I realized as I was talking to him, I was like. I almost was like, Mr. Spielberg, you know? And I said to him, like, your. Your. Your work is in. In the. In my body. Like, you're. You're. I. Your work is in my subconscious forever. You've shaped our childhood every single summer, every version of, like, an unknown world you brought us into. He's just so.

[Colman Domingo]

He's singular.

[Amy Poehler]

He is. And you've worked with him a couple of times.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

So before we get to the great stuff he said about you, what is so great working about working with him? What's it like to work with him?

[Colman Domingo]

He's just lovely. He's funny and warm. He's got a sparkle in his eye that make you believe that you can do anything, even if he's giving you the wildest task of saying these lines while going through an explosion. And there's the camera work is all intense. He looks at you and believes you can do it. And so you have that belief. You're like, oh, great. We're gonna make something together. We're taking a leap of faith together. He's really just lovely, and he's kind, and he's right there with you. He likes his portable monitor, and he's right in the action with you.

[Amy Poehler]

He's not at Chairs. He's not at Video Village.

[Colman Domingo]

There's no ego about the work. And he's also just like, what do you think about this? Or, you know, you can bring your ideas. You're like, oh, let's think about that. So he's very collaborative, and that's what I enjoy about him. It'. Kindness. And also, he feels like. How can I say it? He feels like he's just starting out. Like, he's that excited. He's like, oh, let's try that. I have an idea, Coleman. I have an idea. Okay, great. And he's like, okay, let's try it. So it feels like he's a kid assembling his favorite craftsman around, and he's playing with you. You're all playing together, you know, I

[Amy Poehler]

mean, this is like a big. It's gonna be a big summer movie, like a blockbuster.

[Colman Domingo]

But also, I think it's a movie we all need right now.

[Amy Poehler]

For sure.

[Colman Domingo]

It is a movie after I. I've seen it twice now, and I've cried both times. That'll just tell you. And I won't Tell you why I cried. But it really did feel like it's a movie that's trying to connect us again, all of us, especially the idea of inviting. The idea that there's something bigger than all of us that we're a part of. So I think that's why I cried. I called him right after and I said, you really care about us. You really care about humanity, you know, and what we're wrestling it with right now in our times.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

And then what can unite us?

[Amy Poehler]

Well, he said the same thing about you. He basically was like, yeah, let me tell you. Okay, you know what? Forget about Stephen. Let me tell you what he said.

[Colman Domingo]

What did he say about me?

[Amy Poehler]

What did he say about you? Well, first of all, he said that

[Colman Domingo]

no Real Housewives episode.

[Amy Poehler]

Now it's like, okay, that would be really funny. This is the first podcast where I'm like, he actually said some. Some. He was saying that working with you is like working with a self driving car. Like, you know that you're going to, like, you have it. You're. You're in the zone. Like, there's very little that he has to do because he has such faith in you. But what you lead with as a person on set in an ensemble is empathy and love and respect. So, like, what you get is this act, this very skilled actor, but also a really wonderful person. And I think the privilege of when you get to a certain age and you work, you get to want to surround yourself with those kind of people. Like, that's important and it's not always the case. I think when you're younger, you're kind of like, maybe complicated, difficult. People are there to challenge me in different ways and I'll learn something from them. And I know for me, anyway, like, as I get older, I'm like, also, I want to be around people.

[Colman Domingo]

That's it.

[Amy Poehler]

Good people.

[Colman Domingo]

Life is short.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, life is short. This should be fun. How lucky are we?

[Colman Domingo]

Truly?

[Amy Poehler]

So. And his question was kind of like a. Cause we were talking about auditioning and I was asking him, like, how do people not get nervous around him? Like, how does he deal with people's nerves? Cause he must have people coming in being like, nice to meet you. And he wanted me to ask you, did you ever not get a part that you tried hard to get? And like, what did you. What did you do with it when you. Like, what did you do with the feeling when you didn't get it? So many.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, my God. That was a. Most of my career, I was booking a lot. I really felt like I was like. Even things you felt like you really wanted or you really were skilled for, at some point, you had to divorce yourself from the idea of getting the role. You're like, okay, I'm prepared for this, but it's not up to me. It's like, someone. And maybe that's the thing I pride myself on. I'm like, when they want me, they want all of me.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

So that means they want. It's okay if they want someone else. So for me, it became a practice of being very sober about it and saying, you know, it's okay if they didn't want me, because, like, what I give is very different than that other guy.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

It's not that he was better than me or booked. No. He was useful to them and all that he was gonna bring to it. And that's cool. So for me, it was like. And maybe that was a healthy thing that I needed to give myself so I can give myself grace and, like, and continue to be a practitioner of this art form and not let it be about my ego.

[Amy Poehler]

But doesn't it feel like it's a learned skill that's hard to do in your life?

[Colman Domingo]

It is learned because also when you're young, but also there are times when you're. I mean, listen, I've had moments where there were things that I thought I was perfect for and I didn't get, and it shattered me. But to be honest, I'll be very honest, Amy. I'd never really imagined the place that I'm in right now in this industry. I just wanted to be a working actor.

[Amy Poehler]

And also, you're so famous and successful, too.

[Colman Domingo]

I got so famous. Amy.

[Amy Poehler]

Amy. But you're right. And also the contentment part, that's the goal.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Like satisfaction and contaminant. It's the hardest thing to find, you know, it doesn't matter what you do.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Hell is wanting more. It's like, hell that's suffering, man.

[Colman Domingo]

It is suffering, I think. V, listen, I got a beautiful, beautiful message from this guy. When I was turning 50, this guy was driving me in a car in Toronto, and he was 70 years old. And I said, do you have any words of wisdom for my 50th? He said, Listen, I wish I knew this years ago. He said, it's important to you. Want to hope for everything, but want for nothing. And I was like, to eliminate want, you know, So I know that, like, when I walk into a room, like you say, I walk into these rooms or in sets, I don't really want anything.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

I hope that it can be. There's other things that I hope that it can be. But I'm not coming to get something.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

You know what I mean? I'm coming to hopefully be in service and also to. To give something.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

And I think that's the best we all can be. So if everyone's coming from that place, we all win.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

You know, the problem is only when somebody's coming in just like to want to take shit, and that's ego in the room. And then that's some dark forces, and you try to just protect yourself against that.

[Amy Poehler]

You know, we gotta talk about those egos offline.

[Colman Domingo]

Exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

Those dark forces. Okay. I love that you're. We're the same age, by the way, because I've said this before.

[Colman Domingo]

We look good, don't we?

[Amy Poehler]

We look great.

[Colman Domingo]

You look great. You look great.

[Amy Poehler]

Thank you. But we're making 50 look 55. We're doing good. 56 look pret. Good. I'm turning 55 very soon.

[Colman Domingo]

I'm older than you.

[Amy Poehler]

You're 56, right? Yeah.

[Steven Spielberg]

And.

[Amy Poehler]

And I like. What's your favorite part about your 50s? I love my 50s.

[Colman Domingo]

You know what's funny to me lately? It feels like things are moving faster. Like, I just turned 56, but I'm like, I'm not going to be 57 this year. Doesn't make any sense.

[Amy Poehler]

And. And I. Once you get past 55, I don't like the second half of the decade.

[Colman Domingo]

Because. Because, like, we, like.

[Amy Poehler]

You don't like

[Colman Domingo]

to hit 60. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

You're like, you know what? 60, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 60.

[Colman Domingo]

I feel like my 50s are my best.

[Amy Poehler]

Me too.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah. I felt my 40s. I was.

[Amy Poehler]

It was.

[Colman Domingo]

It was fine.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Colman Domingo]

30s were awesome.

[Amy Poehler]

It's getting better.

[Colman Domingo]

It's getting better.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. I agree.

[Colman Domingo]

But also, I feel like we have to. You have to be conscious of. You have to take care of yourself. Right?

[Amy Poehler]

That's right.

[Colman Domingo]

And in a different way, show up in a different way for yourself.

[Amy Poehler]

That's right.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah. So I feel like we're getting better.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. I feel like our obsession with youth is. Is like. I think it's changing. I think our generation is helping. I think one of the legacies of Gen X, I've said this before before, is that of which we are proudly proud members of. We are not boomers. We are Gen X.

[Colman Domingo]

We're Gen X. We rock.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. We don't give a shit.

[Colman Domingo]

We really don't give a Shit, we're the we don't give a fuck generation. We got a key around our fucking neck. We got a job when we were eight. We got a key. We were like, fuck around, find out generation. Exactly 100%.

[Amy Poehler]

We are tough.

[Colman Domingo]

We really are.

[Amy Poehler]

And we, and we. Nobody remembers us and nobody gives us any respect.

[Colman Domingo]

Nobody gives us consider respect. It's true. We're the toughest generation of a president.

[Amy Poehler]

The Gen X president, anyway. But we don't care. We don't care.

[Colman Domingo]

We don't care.

[Amy Poehler]

The system is broken. We always knew that.

[Colman Domingo]

Exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

But one of the things about it is, like, is that we've. Oh, I've completely lost my train of thought.

[Colman Domingo]

I'm too old.

[Amy Poehler]

I forgot what I was talking about. Who cares? You know what? Who cares? Who cares? Who cares? Okay, last question. Last question. Coleman, what has been making you laugh these days? I know you love to laugh. You love comedy.

[Colman Domingo]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

What are you listening to? Watching. Like, what do you go to when you want to check out? Laugh. Like dumb highbrow. What is the thing?

[Colman Domingo]

I always go back to watching Melissa McCarthy and Spy.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God. Okay, let's watch her right now. I got a laptop.

[Colman Domingo]

Spy is my. Any clip. Spy is. I will watch it.

[Amy Poehler]

Melissa McCarthy is so funny.

[Colman Domingo]

She makes me pee on myself.

[Amy Poehler]

Funny.

[Colman Domingo]

She's so funny.

[Amy Poehler]

Have you guys met?

[Colman Domingo]

I love her. Yeah, we. She came to. I saw. I met her backstage at SNL when she was there for Jack Black. And I just, like. I really. I think we're becoming friends because we exchanged numbers, but I really want to be her friend.

[Amy Poehler]

Give him a little credit. What do you think I'm going to do? Run over there and be like, hey, I'm a crazy lady. Where's the buffet? I'm from the Midwest. Where's Blue Man Group? Jaluka's here, and I need to get close to.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah. Because she's like. She comes across as this mousy woman who works for the CIA, and then you find out she's an agent as well. And then she goes on this whole journey. Like, she was, like, really, like, you know, laying back, and then you find that she's, like, the most wildest one of them all.

[Amy Poehler]

She's wild.

[Colman Domingo]

Yeah. She's all these great disguises, which are really. One is funnier after the night. She's out of control.

[Amy Poehler]

This is a comfort movie for you.

[Colman Domingo]

I will watch it at any time. That and the Color Purple. I know that's very weird. Very.

[Amy Poehler]

Ooh, Color Purple.

[Colman Domingo]

I watch, like, the Whoopi Version of it.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God.

[Colman Domingo]

Or this. So either I want to cry hard or I want to laugh harder.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, God. I'm with you. I kind of. I'm the same way. I want to cry. You know what? I don't want to be anymore.

[Colman Domingo]

Bored.

[Amy Poehler]

Scared.

[Colman Domingo]

Don't want to be scared.

[Amy Poehler]

No, I don't want to be scared. No.

[Colman Domingo]

I don't want to be scared. I don't want to horror or anything. No, no, no.

[Amy Poehler]

No more. I just saw the other day there was some new thing. I won't even say it. And I was like, you don't want that.

[Colman Domingo]

I don't want that.

[Amy Poehler]

I don't. No more movies about being attacked in your own home.

[Colman Domingo]

No, no, no. That's terrible. Those are terrible movies. I never watched those movies.

[Amy Poehler]

Me neither. I never. I don't want that.

[Colman Domingo]

No, no more.

[Amy Poehler]

We either want to laugh or we want to cry. Laugh or cry, period. The end. That's it. Well, I feel like you should do a movie with Melissa McCarthy.

[Colman Domingo]

I think I should, too. I would love that.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. God, you'.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, thank you.

[Amy Poehler]

You're so. You can do anything.

[Colman Domingo]

Thank you.

[Amy Poehler]

You can wear lime green. You can pull it off. Well, thank you for my egg.

[Colman Domingo]

Oh, this has been so great.

[Amy Poehler]

So fun. We've been talking for an hour and a half, and it just went by so fast.

[Colman Domingo]

That's so good.

[Amy Poehler]

And I just love being able to call you a new friend.

[Colman Domingo]

I feel that way, too.

[Amy Poehler]

Thank you for doing this. Congrats on everything. I'm always excited about whatever you're doing. Thank you. And like, a true, true fan of your work, so thank you.

[Colman Domingo]

I'm a fan of you in every single way. Thank you.

[Amy Poehler]

Thank you so much for doing this appre. Colman, thank you so much. It's so fun to be around you. You're just a joy. And thank you. Thank you so much for doing the show. And, you know, Colman and I talked about a lot of things. We have a lot of shared similar experiences, being pretty much the same age, growing up in the East Coast. But we did mention Dance Party usa. And for those of you that haven't seen any clips of that, do yourself a favor and go to YouTube and watch Dance Party USA. It kind of was like a very suburban version of American Bandstand, like Soul Train, you know, the Soul. And it was on in the 80s. Just. There's such incredible hair, such 80s hair, tons of hairspray, incredible outfits. And it's just kids dancing to the hits at the time. And what was so fun about Dance Party USA was of course Kelly Ripa was on there. We that was the first time I saw Kelly. She I think she went by a different name but but also the they just would like talk about the relationships that they were having and that people were dating and breaking up. So it was like a tiny it was like a soap opera with no lines and lots of dancing. Dance Party usa. Check it out. It's a time capsule. Thank you so much everybody for listening to this episode of Good Hang and all the episodes and can't wait to do more for you. Thank you. Bye. See you soon. You've been listening to Good Hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss Berman and me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by the Ringer and Paper Kite. For the Ringer production by Jack Wilson, cat Spillane, Kaia McMullen and Alaya Zaneris. For Paper Kite production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell and Jenna Weiss Berman. Original music by Amy Miles. This Father's Day, will you ship UPS Air at the UPS Store? Your items arrive on time or your money back guaranteed at no extra cost. It's like the father of all shipping services. It shows up to the airport way too early just to play it safe. It's overprotective about all the things that truly matter. And it's always prom, especially to be with family. Make it your first choice to celebrate your dad. Ship UPS Air with our money back guarantee exclusively at the UPS Store US retail locations. Visit the upstore.com airshipping for full details, terms and conditions at end the Capture your favorite summer feeling with Pandora Jewelry. Discover a collection inspired by the sunshine, freedom and moments that make the season unforgettable. From sun kissed metals to personalized pieces ready to be engraved with your summer mantra, each design moves with you from beach days to golden nights and every memory in between. Shop Pandora Jewelry's new summer collection in store or [e-mail] and let your summer unfold.