Colman Domingo is a versatile American actor, playwright, and director known for his dynamic performances on stage and screen. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Mr. Bones in the Broadway musical The Scottsboro Boys, which earned him a Tony Award nomination. He also delivered a memorable portrayal of Victor Strand in the television series Fear the Walking Dead. In 2022, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Euphoria. More recently, his powerful performance in Sing Sing landed him a historic Oscar nomination.
Date of birth: November 28, 1969
Zodiac sign: Sagittarius
But before the fame and awards, Colman had a childhood shaped by a large and diverse family. Let’s take a closer look at the people who influenced his journey.
Edith Bowles (mother)
Date of brith: March 13, 1942
Date of death: July 25, 2006 (age 64)
Colman’s mother, Edith Bowles, was a woman of many talents and boundless energy. A passionate advocate for education, she studied at the Community College of Philadelphia and later at the University of Pennsylvania. Beyond her academic pursuits, Edith loved writing poetry, cooking, dancing, and nurturing children.
She was also Colman’s biggest cheerleader. So much so that she wrote six letters to The Oprah Winfrey Show, hoping Oprah would recognize her son’s talent and help him break into the entertainment industry. While Oprah never responded, Colman’s career eventually took off—proving that a mother’s belief can sometimes be more powerful than any Hollywood connection.
Clarence Bowles (stepfather)
Date of brith: February 18, 1944
Date of death: February 14, 2006 (age 62)
Colman’s stepfather, Clarence Bowles, was a skilled floor engineer and master carpenter with a deep love for woodworking and restoration. He married Edith in 1977, and together they enjoyed fishing and traveling—building a life filled with adventure and love.
Clarence played a significant role in Colman’s upbringing and was part of the family for nearly three decades before both he and Edith passed away in 2006.
Rev. Colman Domingo Sr. (biological father)
Colman’s biological father, Rev. Colman Domingo Sr., remains somewhat of a mystery in his life. He left the family when Colman was around 8 years old and went on to start another family. The actor once reflected: “My dad was always shrouded in mystery. I knew certain things about him—that he’s from Belize, that he—he would come and go.”
Though their relationship wasn’t close, Colman carries his father’s name—a connection that continues to shape his identity.
Colman Domingo siblings:
Colman grew up surrounded by three siblings:
- Derrick Domingo Sr. (brother)
- Averie Domingo-Cherry (sister)
- Phillip Bowles (half-brother)
But his extended family doesn’t stop there. Through his stepfather Clarence, he also has step-siblings:
- Elex Jones
- Monderray Blassingame-Smith
- Pat Jones
And from his biological father’s side? An even bigger family tree! Colman has several half-siblings, including:
- Rhona A. Domingo-Jackson, with whom he is especially close.
- Karen Domingo-Davidson
- Colman Domingo Jr.—yes, a brother with the exact same name!
And there may be even more siblings out there. If you have any insider info, feel free to share in the comments!
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