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Djimon Hounsou

  • Birthplace: Benin
  • Birthday: April 24, 1964

Model-turned-actor Djimon Hounsou was seemingly plucked from obscurity by producer Debbie Allen and director Steven Spielberg in 1997 to portray Joseph Cinque, the leader of a slave ship mutiny, in "Amistad." His critically acclaimed performance led to supporting roles alongside Hollywood A-listers in historic dramas like "Gladiator" (2000) and the African-set adventure "Blood Diamond" (2006), which earned the actor significant awards and nominations. Unsurprisingly, Hounsou's towering frame and expressive feat…more

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Credits

Actor
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Career Milestones

  • 2010

    Starred as Caliban in the Julie Taymor directed adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Tempest"

  • 2009

    Co-starred in the supernatural thriller, "Push"

  • 2008

    Cast as a veteran fighter, who trains a young kid who is bullied in "Never Back Down"

  • 2006

    Cast as Ajihad, the leader of the Varden in the fantasy/adventure movie "Eragon"

  • 2006

    Co-starred with Leonardo DiCaprio in Edward Zwick's "Blood Diamond"; received SAG and Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor

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Awards

  • 2006

    National Board of Review Award: Best Supporting Actor

  • 2004

    Independent Spirit Award: Best Supporting Male

  • 1997

    NAACP Image Award: Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

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