Djimon Hounsou

Early life

Hounsou was born in Cotonou, Benin, to Albertine and Pierre Hounsou. He immigrated to Lyon in France at the age of 12 with his brother Edmond. Soon after arriving there, he dropped out of school and was homeless for a time. A chance meeting with a photographer led to an introduction to fashion designer Thierry Mugler, who encouraged Hounsou to pursue a modelling career.

Career

Acting

Between 1989 and 1991, Hounsou appeared in the music videos for "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul, "I Don't Wanna Lose You" by Tina Turner, "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" by Janet Jackson and Madonna's "Express Yourself". He also appears 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 had television parts on Beverly Hills, 90210 and ER and a guest starring role on Alias. He had a larger role in the science fiction film Stargate.

Hounsou received wide critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award nomination for his role as Cinqué in the 1997 Steven Spielberg film Amistad and gained further notice as Juba in the 2000 film Gladiator.

Hounsou had a supporting role in the 2009 science-fiction film Push, as Agent Henry Carver. In 2011, he starred as a French commando in the French film Forces spéciales.

Director Tim Story told IGN that if he had done a third Fantastic Four film, he would have liked Hounsou to portray Black Panther. In November 2008, it was announced that Hounsou would provide the voice of Black Panther in the television series of the same name. He had signed on to play Abdiel in the film version of John Milton's Paradise Lost with Benjamin Walker and Bradley Cooper, but the film was scrapped in early February 2012.

In 2013, he appeared in the comedy film Baggage Claim alongside Paula Patton. He also voiced Drago Blodfist in How to Train Your Dragon 2 and portrayed Korath the Pursuer in the Marvel Studios film Guardians of the Galaxy, both in 2014. He played villains in two 2015 films: Seventh Son and Furious 7, the latter being the seventh installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise.

In February 2016, it was reported that Hounsou would join the second season of the television series Wayward Pines. Also in 2016, he played Chief Mbonga in The Legend of Tarzan.

In 2018, Hounsou joined the DC Extended Universe, voicing the Fisherman King Ricou in Aquaman (with the character motion-captured by Andrew Crawford). He then replaced Ron Cephas Jones as the Wizard Shazam in Shazam! (2019). He reprised his role in Black Adam (2022) and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023). Also in 2019, he reprised his role as Korath in the Marvel Studios film Captain Marvel and then in the animated series What If...?.

In November 2022, it was announced that Honsou had joined the cast of the film* based on the Gran Turismo* video game, with Geri Halliwell playing his wife.

In January 2025, Hounsou claimed that, throughout his career, he has encountered challenges like those experienced by other Black actors in Hollywood, including being typecast, and claimed he's been always getting "unfair compensation." He blamed systemic racism for this predicament, saying that, despite having been twice nominated for an Academy Award, he is still "struggling financially to make a living."

Modeling

On 24 February 2007, it was announced that Hounsou would be the new Calvin Klein underwear model. At the time, he was represented by Los Angeles modeling agent Omar Albertto.

Other work

In 2010, Hounsou was featured as the narrator in ESPN's series of "32 Teams, 1 Dream" commercials for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He spoke at the Summit on Climate Change at the United Nations on September 22, 2009. On December 1, 2009, he told French media that developed countries "need to be held accountable" for their contribution to climate change.

In 2018, Hounsou made his directorial debut with the documentary film In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven, which examines the history, nature and religious practices of West African Vodun. The documentary premiered at the Miami International Film Festival on March 10, 2018.

In 2024, Hounsou had a guest performance on South African record producer and DJ Black Coffee's "Ode to Ancestors" song which was included in an EP inspired by Zack Snyder's movie, Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver.

Personal life

In 2007, Hounsou began dating model Kimora Lee Simmons. Hounsou and Simmons visited Hounsou's family in his native Benin in the summer of 2008, where the two participated in a traditional commitment ceremony. They were adorned in traditional clothing and used the ceremony, in the presence of Hounsou's family, to confirm that they were "dedicated to each other 100%", although they emphasized the ceremony was not a wedding. In the début of Kimora Lee Simmons' show Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane, he was billed as her husband. In 2009, Simmons gave birth to their son. Hounsou and Simmons, who were never legally married in the United States, announced their separation in November 2012.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. Hounsou, Djimon. (May 26, 2016). "Tonight at 9/8c on #foxtv #waywardpines".
2. "Djimon Hounsou: Biography". TV Guide.
3. (February 2, 2012). "Dictionary of African Biography". [[Oxford University Press]].
4. "Daily Show". Comedy Central.
5. In 1987, he became a model and established a career in Paris. He was found at Porte de Clichy. He moved to the United States in 1990.{{citation needed. (February 2022[https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800020002/bio Djimon Hounsou Biography - Yahoo! Movies] {{Webarchive). link. (2011-06-28 )
6. "Straight Up". Paula-Abdul.net.
7. "Love Will Never Do Without You". songfacts.com.
8. "Push Djimon Hounsou Interview". [[About.com]].
9. (January 17, 2013). "Djimon Hounsou and Diane Kruger's SPECIAL FORCES Explodes onto Blu-ray & DVD in February".
10. (May 8, 2007). "Story talks black panther". ign.com.
11. "Djimon Hounsou Roars as the Black Panther".
12. (9 February 2012). "Legendary Pulls Plug on Bradley Cooper's 'Paradise Lost'". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
13. "Alan Taylor Offers New 'Thor 2′ Details; Djimon Hounsou on 'Guardians of the Galaxy'". Screen Rant.
14. (July 20, 2013). "Marvel Studios Begins Production on Guardians of the Galaxy". Marvel.com.
15. (12 September 2013). "Djimon Hounsou Joins Fast & Furious 7". empireonline.com.
16. Wagmeister, Elizabeth. (February 17, 2016). "Djimon Hounsou cast in 'Wayward Pines' season 2". Variety.
17. "Exclusive: DC's 'Shazam!' casts 'Guardians' actor Djimon Hounsou as the Wizard".
18. "Exclusive: 'Aquaman' reveals first look at the exotic Fisherman King".
19. Jirak, Jamie. (July 23, 2021). "Shazam! Fury of the Gods Set Photo Reveals Return of Surprising Actor".
20. (July 26, 2021). "Djimon Hounsou to Appear in Black Adam".
21. [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/gran-turismo-movie-casts-djimon-hounsou-spice-girls-geri-halliwell-horner-1235255227/ ‘Gran Turismo’: Djimon Hounsou, Spice Girls’ Geri Halliwell-Horner Join Sony’s Racing Movie (Exclusive)] The Hollywood Reporter. November 4, 2022
22. Lee, Lauren. (15 January 2025). "Djimon Hounsou on battling ‘systemic racism,’ and reconnecting Black people to their African roots". [[CNN]].
23. "Omar Albertto on FASHION NET".
24. (February 23, 2007). "Calvin Klein's New Brief Boy". ashionweekdaily.com.
25. "NPR".
26. (2009-12-02). "Developed countries need to be held accountable". Rfi.fr.
27. Lodge, Guy. (12 March 2018). "Miami Film Review: 'In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven'". [[Variety (magazine).
28. Thompson, Anne. (20 March 2018). "Miami Moviegoers Reveal the Role of Art Houses for Latin American Audiences".
29. Sandoval, Shireen. (9 March 2019). "Djimon Hounsou brings voodoo documentary to Miami Film Festival".
30. Kaufman, Gil. (20 March 2024). "Jessie Reyez, Tainy, aespa, TOKiMONSTA & More Featured on 'Rebel Moon – Part Two' EP".
31. Slonim, Jeffrey. (November 15, 2012). "Russell Simmons Okay with Kimora & Djimon". People.
32. (2009-03-09). "Kimora Lee Simmons, Djimon Hounsou Had Commitment Ceremony". Usmagazine.com.
33. (June 1, 2009). "'Life in the Fab Lane' star Kimora Lee Simmons gives birth to baby boy".
34. Jordan, Julie. (November 21, 2012). "Kimora Lee Simmons and Djimon Hounsou Separate". People.
35. [https://deadline.com/2024/12/paramount-republic-pictures-buys-monster-lauren-lavera-djimon-hounsou-1236193765/ Paramount’s Republic Pictures Takes WW Rights To ‘The Monster’ With Djimon Hounsou, Lauren LaVera, Mia Healey; Gina Philips & Rapper Prof Among Cast To Join]
36. (10 January 2007). "Winners: National Board Of Review". CBS News.
37. "Screen Actors Guild: The nominees". ew.com.