Biography
" 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 features were tapped for a number of forgettable good vs. evil actioners, but he made the strongest mark in character-driven dramas like "In …
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Career Milestones
| Born and raised in Benin | ||
| Cast by David Fincher in the music videos "Straight Up" (by Paula Abdul) and "Express Yourself" (by Madonna) | ||
| Dropped out of school and moved to Paris | ||
| Had bit parts in "Unlawful Entry" (1992) and "Stargate" (1994); billed only as 'Djimon' | ||
| Moved to Los Angeles | ||
| Sent to live with an older brother in Lyons, France | ||
1986 | Discovered by fashion designer Thierry Mugler, while living on the streets in Paris | |
1990 | Appeared in Janet Jackson's music video for her single "Love Will Never Do Without You" | |
1990 | Film debut as Sandra Bernhard's ex-boyfriend in "Without You, I'm Nothing"; used his full name in his billing | |
1997 | Breakthrough screen role as Cinque in Steven Spielberg's "Amistad" | |
1999 | Joined the cast of "ER" (NBC) in recurring role of a political exile who finds menial work at the hospital | |
2000 | Had featured role in the Oscar-winning "Gladiator" | |
2002 | Had supporting role in the remake of "Four Feathers" | |
2002 | Narrated the HBO drama, "The Middle Passage" about the slave trade | |
2003 | Co-starred with Angelina Jolie in "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life" | |
2003 | Featured in Jim Sheridan's "In America"; received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor | |
2005 | Cast opposite Queen Latifah, as the sexy piano-playing electrician in the comedy "Beauty Shop" | |
2005 | Starred in the Michael Bay directed thriller, "The Island" | |
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 | |
2008 | Cast as a veteran fighter, who trains a young kid who is bullied in "Never Back Down" | |
2009 | Co-starred in the supernatural thriller, "Push" | |
2010 | Starred as Caliban in the Julie Taymor directed adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" | |
Awards
1997 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama in Amistad |
2001 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in Gladiator |
2003 | Academy Award for Actor In a Supporting Role in In America |
2004 | Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male in In America |
2004 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in In America |
2006 | Academy Award for Actor In a Supporting Role in Blood Diamond |
2006 | Critics' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in Blood Diamond |
2007 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Blood Diamond |