Djimon Hounsou

Djimon Gaston Hounsou, born on April 24, 1964, is an actor hailing from Benin. He initially ventured into the entertainment industry by appearing in music videos before making his film debut in "Without You I'm Nothing" in 1990. However, it was his portrayal of Cinqué in Steven Spielberg's "Amistad" in 1997 that brought him widespread recognition, earning him a Golden Globe nomination.
Hounsou has received critical acclaim for his performances in "In America" (2002) and "Blood Diamond" (2006), both of which garnered him nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.


Within the realm of superhero films, Hounsou has left his mark in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). In the MCU, he portrays Korath the Pursuer in "Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014), "Captain Marvel" (2019), and "What If...?" (2021). In the DCEU, he has appeared as the Fisherman King in "Aquaman" (2018) and as the wizard Shazam in "Shazam!" (2019), "Black Adam" (2022), and "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" (2023).
His diverse filmography includes roles in films such as "Stargate" (1994), "Gladiator" (2000), "Constantine," and "The Island" (both 2005), among others. Hounsou has also lent his voice to animated films like "How to Train Your Dragon 2" (2014). He is known for his roles in action-packed films like "Furious 7" (2015), "The Legend of Tarzan" (2016), "A Quiet Place Part II" (2021), and upcoming projects like "Gran Turismo" and "Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child Of Fire" (both 2023).
In addition to his acting career, Hounsou made his directorial debut with the documentary film "In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven" in 2018, showcasing his multifaceted talents in the world of filmmaking.


Djimon Hounsou was born in Cotonou, Benin, to Albertine and Pierre Hounsou. At the age of 12, he immigrated to Lyon, France, along with his brother, Edmond. However, upon their arrival, Hounsou faced challenging circumstances, ultimately leading him to drop out of school and experience homelessness for a period.


Fate took a turn when he encountered a photographer who introduced him to the renowned fashion designer Thierry Mugler. Encouraged by Mugler, Hounsou decided to embark on a career in modeling. In 1987, he began his modeling journey and swiftly established himself in the industry in Paris. Eventually, in 1990, he made the bold decision to relocate to the United States, marking a significant step in his career trajectory.


Between 1989 and 1991, Djimon Hounsou appeared in several iconic music videos, including Paula Abdul's "Straight Up," Janet Jackson's "Love Will Never Do (Without You)," and Madonna's "Express Yourself." Additionally, he made an appearance in En Vogue's music video for "Hold On."
Hounsou's film debut was in the 1990 Sandra Bernhard film "Without You I'm Nothing." He also had television roles on shows like "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "ER," as well as a guest-starring role on "Alias." His breakthrough in film came with a larger role in the science fiction film "Stargate."


He received critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award nomination for his portrayal of Cinqué in Steven Spielberg's 1997 film "Amistad." He gained further recognition for his role as Juba in the 2000 epic "Gladiator." In 2004, Hounsou received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "In America."
Over the years, Hounsou has appeared in a variety of films, including "The Island" (2005), "Blood Diamond" (2006), "Push" (2009), and "How to Train Your Dragon 2" (2014). He also portrayed Korath the Pursuer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films "Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014), "Captain Marvel" (2019), and the animated series "What If...?" (2021).


In addition to his film roles, Hounsou has ventured into television, joining the cast of "Wayward Pines" in its second season. He has also been part of the DC Extended Universe, voicing the Fisherman King Ricou in "Aquaman" (2018) and portraying the Wizard Shazam in "Shazam!" (2019), "Black Adam" (2022), and "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" (2023).
In November 2022, it was announced that Hounsou had joined the cast of the Gran Turismo film, further solidifying his diverse and successful career in both film and television.


Djimon Hounsou's personal life has included significant relationships:

Kimora Lee Simmons: In 2007, Hounsou began dating model and fashion entrepreneur Kimora Lee Simmons. Their relationship gained public attention, and in 2009, Simmons gave birth to their son, Kenzo Lee Hounsou. The couple visited Hounsou's family in Benin in 2008, where they participated in a traditional commitment ceremony. Although they emphasized that the ceremony was not a wedding, they used it to affirm their dedication to each other in front of Hounsou's family. Despite being referred to as husband and wife on Simmons' show "Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane," they were never legally married in the United States. Hounsou and Simmons announced their separation in November 2012.


This relationship showcased Hounsou's commitment to family and cultural traditions, while also highlighting his connection to the world of fashion and entertainment through his partnership with Simmons.

References

1.  Hounsou, Djimon (May 26, 2016). "Tonight at 9/8c on #foxtv #waywardpines". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26.
2. a b c d e "Djimon Hounsou: Biography". TV Guide. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
3. ^ Akyeampong, Emmanuel Kwaku; Gates, Henry Louis (February 2, 2012). Dictionary of African Biography. Vol. 1−6. Oxford University Press. p. 78. ISBN 9780195382075.
4. ^ "Daily Show". Comedy Central. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
5. ^ Djimon Hounsou Biography - Yahoo! Movies Archived 2011-06-28 at the Wayback Machine
6. ^ "Straight Up". Paula-Abdul.net. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
7. ^ "Love Will Never Do Without You". songfacts.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2012.