Actor Colman Domingo has revealed the remarkable story of how he connected with the love of his life and his now-husband through a Craigslist ad – after the two crossed paths during a fleeting encounter outside a Walgreens store.
The 54-year-old actor, who most recently starred in Oprah's new take on The Color Purple, opened up about the heartwarming and unexpected way he first met his now-husband Raúl on an episode of The Graham Norton Show.
He revealed that he first saw Raúl in 2005 when he walked into a Walgreens store in Berkeley, California – and was immediately struck by his good looks.
Colman shared that while the two didn't get a chance to speak at the supermarket, they later reconnected with the help of a “Missed Connections” ad on Craigslist before admitting that he knew he was in love with Raúl at their first Date.
Colman Domingo has shared the breathtaking story of how he connected with the love of his life and his now husband through the Craigslist ad
The Rustin star, 54, opened up about the heartwarming and unexpected way he first met his now-husband Raúl on an episode of The Graham Norton Show (airing in 2024).
During the show, he described the magical moment he was surprised to see the love of his life.
“You're in Berkeley, California, in 2005, minding your business by going into a Walgreens.” I'm just going to Berkeley to get a mask for the night, you know, a face mask.
“So I walk in and I see someone walking out who has beautiful hair up to this point, lip piercing, beautiful.” I see this guy and we look at each other.
“I'm like, 'Oh my God.' And I'm on the phone and I come outside and we look at each other and he's talking to this young woman and she seemed angry about something,” he said.
Then he explained that although he and Raúl did not speak, they exchanged many glances.
“They're walking down the street but he keeps looking back and I wave but he just keeps walking and then I'm just speechless,” Colman said.
The actor then walked across the street to a Blockbuster and even revealed that as he left, he briefly checked the parking lot to see if the mystery man was there.
With no luck, Colman left, telling himself he would come back at the same time next week in the hope of seeing the man again.
He revealed that he first met Raúl in 2005 when he entered a Walgreens store in Berkeley, California (left to right: Sterling K Brown, Dakota Johnson, Colman, Domhnall Gleeson and presenter Graham Norton during filming) .
Colman shared that although the two didn't have a chance to speak at the supermarket, they later reconnected with the help of Craigslist
Three days later, Colman decided to place a Missed Connections ad on Craigslist.
He said, “I thought maybe I'd run one of those Missed Connections ads.” I wondered if they worked because I'd read them on the subway. I'll go to page two of this. As I read I see, “Saw you outside Walgreens. Berkeley.”
“He placed an ad for me two hours before.” I jumped up and thought, “Are you kidding me? That's me!” He described me with my fauxhawk – it was 2005.'
Three days later, Colman and Raúl had their first date.
The actor added, “I tried to be a good boy and go home.” He said, “Can you stay here?” I said, “Sure, but let's just cuddle.”
“We cuddled. I thought he was asleep – 4:00 am. I couldn't sleep and I said, 'I think I love you and you're about to change my life.' And we've been together for almost 19 years.”
Colman also noted that he is someone who “believes in magic” – adding that if he believes something will happen, it will happen.
Colman also noted that he is someone who “believes in magic” – adding that if he believes something will happen, it will happen (as seen in “The Color Purple”).
Towards the end of the series, he also talked about playing the title role of 1960s civil rights activist Bayard Rustin in Rustin
Towards the end of the series, he also talked about playing the title role of 1960s civil rights activist Bayard Rustin in Rustin.
He said: “He's not well known in the US as he was pretty much erased from history because he was openly gay…”
“His story is great and he was a great person in every way.” I really hope this film puts him back in the history books. I think the more I get amplified, the stronger he gets, and that’s a beautiful thing.”
Dakota Johnson and Sterling Brown also appeared in the episode. The 34-year-old Fifty Shades Of Gray actress revealed her unusual fan base as actor Sterling K. Brown revealed he is praised by fans for “changing her life.”