'My mind was blown': Colman Domingo opens up about discovering Bayard Rustin in his youth as he appears on 'GMA' to discuss Oscar nomination

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Academy Award-nominated actor Colman Domingo sat down for an exclusive interview with ABC anchor Whit Johnson that was aired on the February 17 episode of 'Good Morning America'.

The 54-year-old star discussed how he navigated through hardships to earn fame as he created history by becoming the first Afro-Latino ever to be nominated for Oscars in the Best Actor category for his portrayal of Bayard Rustin in the Netflix biopic 'Rustin'.

The actor also became the second openly gay man to earn a nod for playing a gay character after Sir Ian McKellen who was nominated in 1999 for his performance in 'Gods and Monsters'.

Colman Domingo talks about being nominated for an Oscar

Netflix's film 'Rustin' was reportedly the first major leading role for Colman Domingo.

"You have been on this journey for three decades, doing off-broadway gigs, bartending in-between. What does it mean to you to be an Oscar nominee?" Johnson asked Domingo.

"You know, I actually hope that this is inspirational to my fellow journeymen," replied the Emmy winner. "The people out there who are doing the work for a long time and may not get a lot of shine - all those regional theatre actors, off-broadway actors, background performers - to know that I am one of them."

Apart from the Oscars, Domingo was previously nominated at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards for his performance in the film, as well as for a Screen Actors Guild Award and BAFTA Award, according to People.

Colman Domingo's take on Bayard Rustin

"I knew (about Rustin) more than most people," the actor told Johnson. "Because I learned about him when I was about 19 years old when I was a student in Temple University, when I joined ... the African-American student union."

"And I thought, 'Who is this?' And the fact that he organized the march on Washington, and he was openly gay - my mind was blown as a 19-year-old," he continued. "Probably as a 19-year-old who was, sort of like, trying to navigate his way as an openly gay man as well. I found, 'Oh here is somebody who is really owning his power.'"

"I wonder and I question that maybe the fact that I stumbled upon him when I was about 19 years old, how that affected me and how I navigate my way through my industry. In many ways, how I believe that I should be regarded by the way I see myself, and I feel that's limitless," he added.