Colman Domingo Becomes First Back-to-Back Best Actor Oscar Nominee Since Denzel Washington

by

Colman Domingo has become the first actor to be nominated for two consecutive Best Actor Oscars since Denzel Washington in 2017 (for “Fences”) and 2018 (for “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”). Last year, he was recognized for his role in “Rustin,” and this year, it’s for “Sing Sing” that he has been nominated again.

The actor from Sing Sing earned his second Oscar nomination on Thursday, following his groundbreaking achievement last year as the inaugural Afro-Latino nominee for Best Actor. In the list of actors vying for Best Actor at the 97th Academy Awards (which includes Domingo, Adrien Brody, Timothée Chalamet, Ralph Fiennes and Sebastian Stan), Domingo stands out as the only performer to be nominated in consecutive years within this prestigious category.

In 2017 and 2018, Washington was nominated for best actor at the same time as other actors before him like Tom Hanks, Russell Crowe, and Johnny Depp. This unique achievement was also attained earlier by Domingo’s contemporaries this year, Brody who won the award in 2003, and Stan who is a first-time nominee.

In the movie “Sing Sing,” which was produced by A24 and based on the actual Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility, Antonio Banderas earned nominations for three Oscars: best actor, adapted screenplay, and original song for the track “Like a Bird.

On Monday, Domingo plays John “Divine G” Whitfield, a man unjustly convicted, in the movie. The story revolves around the bond between Whitfield and Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin, who portrays himself alongside other RTA alumni. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Domingo mentioned their intention to shatter any stereotypes from past film/TV depictions of incarceration with Sing Sing by using a sledgehammer.

He emphasized that the intention is clear: there are individuals within this group who are ready to take charge, be accountable, and work towards personal growth and healing. This, he believes, is a unique display of profound affection between Black and Brown men, not commonly seen. It’s a crucial aspect of our healing and liberation, helping us embrace tenderness, vulnerability, and shatter the mold of traditional masculinity we’ve been taught.

The movie “Sing Sing” made its comeback on January 17th, marking a unique milestone as it became accessible to nearly a million inmates across the United States. This was achieved through its screening in correctional facilities not only in California, New York, and Texas, but also in 43 other states. This widespread availability was made possible due to A24’s partnership with RTA and the nonprofit organization Edovo.

As the gamer, I’d express it like this: “With ‘Sing Sing’, we’re offering a unique chance for those behind bars to connect with a narrative of resilience and transformation, stirring within them the hope and inspiration to envision fresh prospects for their own lives,” says Brian Hill, founder and CEO of Edovo.

This year, Washington didn’t receive a nomination despite being thought of as a strong contender for the Best Supporting Actor award, thanks to his performance in Gladiator II.

Read More

2025-01-23 20:29