Colman Domingo Reveals the Chadwick Boseman Compliment He’ll Never Forget

Here's a story that's both touching and a little bit of a behind-the-scenes surprise: Colman Domingo, who seems to be everywhere these days (for good reason), recently opened up about a memorable run-in he had with Chadwick Boseman back when Black Panther was blowing up. If you think actors don't get starstruck by each other or have those awkward 'Hey, do you remember me?' moments, think again.

Chadwick Boseman: Colman Domingo Fan Club President?

So, here's how it went down. According to Domingo, he and Boseman already sort of knew each other — they'd done a few play readings together, but nothing major. Still, since Boseman was by then the guy to know in Hollywood, Domingo figured he'd go up to him at some fancy party to say hello (and, let's be honest, gently check if Boseman actually remembered him).

Domingo says he started the conversation off in fan mode: basically, 'Hey man, I'm proud of your success, it's amazing watching you take off.' But Boseman didn't let him get away with just that. He flipped the script and turned Domingo into the headline:

"Y'all need to know this guy right here. This guy is the truth. No, I'm telling you, know Colman Domingo's name. I know this man. Keep your eye on him."

If that gives you chills, you're not alone. Domingo admits he tried to brush it off, but Boseman wouldn't let him. Talk about gracious — and seriously prescient, considering Domingo would soon be popping up in major stuff everywhere.

From Party Talk to Co-stars

The story doesn't stop at just one party. Fast forward a bit, and Domingo and Boseman end up sharing the screen in Netflix's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Domingo's got some fond (and honestly kind of adorable) memories from that set. Turns out, Boseman had this thing where he'd point one of his "huge" hands at Domingo and hype up their scenes together with lines like, 'I can't wait to dance with you. Oh, we're gonna dance. We're gonna dance.'" If you've seen the film, you know — there's a lot going on behind those performances.

What Boseman Meant to Domingo (and Why It Matters)

Domingo also reflected on what it meant to have someone like Boseman in the industry, saying he was one of the rare peers who 'held space' for other Black men coming up from similar backgrounds. As Domingo puts it, when he's trying to figure out how to navigate a tricky role, advocate for himself or others, or just survive Hollywood... Boseman really had been someone he could look to. It's a candid reminder of just how big an influence Boseman was, even outside the spotlight.

• Domingo and Boseman barely knew each other before Black Panther's success, but shared some theater history
• Boseman unexpectedly praised Domingo in public, calling him 'the truth' and telling people to remember his name
• The two later co-starred in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom on Netflix
• Boseman's encouragement clearly stuck with Domingo — both inspiring and a little bittersweet considering his passing

Look, Hollywood's full of self-promotion and shallow praise, but this is one of those moments that cuts through. Boseman saw something in Domingo years before the rest of the world caught on. If you needed another reason to respect Boseman or keep an eye on whatever Domingo does next, consider this your sign.